Reasons Shiply is the Optimal Choice for Boat Transport in Ashford
Shiply is here to eliminate the hassle of boat transport by assisting you in finding an economical & dependable service that suits your needs. Simply create a listing on our website and relax as transport providers approach you with quotes to relocate your boat. Once you discover a quote that appeals to you, contact the driver, confirm, and await the collection of your boat.
Whether you require transportation for a narrowboat, sailboat, small boat, or yacht, Shiply can assist. Have you recently purchased a new boat that needs delivery? Or perhaps you need to transport your boat to a land-based destination? Maybe it's too sizable for you to move on your own? Regardless of the reason, Shiply can help you find a trustworthy & professional company to ship your boat at a fair price.
Selecting a specialized boat hauler will ensure you're in capable hands. Boat haulage companies in the UK & internationally are well-versed in working with boats, marinas, and ports, and should guide you through all aspects of the transportation process.
Obtain Complimentary Quotes for Boat Transport in Ashford
By listing your boat transportation on Shiply, our network of transport providers will provide you with price quotes. You simply need to complete a form with some essential information about your boat to be transported & you will receive free quotes in pounds sterling or euros, depending on your location.
After receiving several quotes, you'll be able to compare companies based on their credentials, customer feedback & costs.
The Expense of Boat Transport in Ashford
The cost of boat transport will vary based on several factors, but on average, you can anticipate paying between £100 to £260 for shorter distances and between £450 & £750 for longer journeys. The average cost per mile for standard boat transport in the UK is around £1.50 per mile, but as mentioned, this can vary depending on the boat's size.
The size of the boat being transported will significantly impact the cost. For instance, small boat transport is straightforward as they can often be hauled on the road, whereas larger vessels like sailboats or narrowboats will require special attention and will likely cost more to transport. A narrowboat may necessitate specialized narrowboat movers due to its unique size.
Whether the boat needs to be transported within the UK or internationally will also influence the pricing, as international boat transport will be significantly more expensive and may require different companies than those in the UK who specialize in road transport.
Reasons People Frequently Move Boats to & from Ashford, Kent, UK
Ashford, situated in Kent, UK, is a popular destination for boat owners & enthusiasts. Many individuals choose to relocate their boats to and from Ashford for various reasons. One of the primary reasons is the town's proximity to the coast, making it an ideal location for boating activities.
Ashford is also home to several marinas & boatyards that provide a range of services, including boat storage, maintenance, and repairs. This makes it convenient for boat owners to keep their vessels in optimal condition.
Moreover, Ashford's central location in Kent makes it easily accessible from other parts of the UK, making it a popular choice for those seeking to transport their boats to and from the area.
Utilizing Shiply to Find a Boat Transporter in Ashford
To create a listing on Shiply, you only need to complete a brief form with some details about your boat & the pick-up and drop-off dates and locations. Once your listing is complete, you will start receiving free quotes from various transport providers - some of whom may reach out to you to better understand the required services so they can accurately quote for the work.
There are two primary methods of boat transportation, & the method you choose will depend on where your boat needs to go. If your boat is required to be transported in a specific way, please specify this on your Shiply listing.
By road - If your vessel needs to be hauled within the same country, you'll find that road transportation is likely the best option. If you're moving only parts of a boat or a non-starting boat, transportation by road is your sole option.
By sea or river - If your craft needs to be sailed port-to-port, then you can hire a crew to do this. Crews should inspect your vessel, plot courses & check shipping forecasts for you.
Once you have received some quotes, ensure you check the credentials & feedback of any skippers and crew hands, which you can see by viewing the transport providers' company profiles on Shiply. If you're moving a sailboat, then RYA or MCA accredited crews are the qualifications to look for.
With any type of transportation, it's crucial to check the level of experience & professional insurance cover that they offer (do not accept personal insurance) so you can make the most informed decision for your individual situation.
Don't hesitate to ask the companies any questions about the transportation process, as they will often have a high level of expertise.
Finding the right boat transport service can be overwhelming if you intend to compare all the prices & credentials. Larger companies might charge less, whereas smaller family-run transporters could offer you a more personalized service.
Preparing Your Boat for Transport in Ashford
If your vessel is being transported by land, there are several preparatory tasks to ensure that the transportation goes as smoothly as possible. You'll want to plan as far ahead as possible to give yourself enough time to prepare for the transport & to enable you to find a suitable transport service.
Boat deliveries can be carried out in several different ways, but regardless, make sure your boat is prepared correctly to prevent any damage, leakage, or dangerous loose ends occurring during the journey.
Check the condition - Thoroughly check the interior & exterior of your vessel for any previous damage. This way, you can see if it suffers any during transit. You may want to take photographs of the condition before its journey.
Remove valuables - Make sure you take anything valuable off your boat before it's transported, as these will not be insured.
Empty the bilge, water, refuse stores & the majority of fuel - Pump out wastewater & other liquids. Any freshwater tanks & rubbish should be emptied, fuel tanks disconnected, and the majority of the gasoline emptied to make the boat lighter to deliver & prevent any potential leakages during transport.
Disconnect battery & tidy cables - A precaution that will help avoid draining the battery and any shortages in electronics. Despite being a waterborne vehicle, your boat might be exposed to different weather conditions when it travels on a trailer. So make sure that all exposed electronics are covered & battery cables are tucked away.
Make things secure - If they aren't traveling separately, make sure all accessories & life jackets are stowed away in lockers. Secure all doors & compartments in the galley and washrooms. Also, make sure that the canopy is extra secure, as it might not be built to travel at the same speeds as a trailer.
For sailboats - Removing all winches & rigging etc. from the mast is important (also provide padding for points at which the mast will be tied down). Pulpits, stanchions & lifelines should only be taken off if they will make the boat too large to transport easily.
You can also check with your boatyard for any other precautions that they might think important for safe transport. If your boat is going to be sailed to its destination, make sure you arrange with the captain what preparations need to be made prior to the handover.
Once your boat is ready, all you need to do is wait for the transporter to arrive. Once you have accepted a quote on Shiply, you will be able to communicate directly with the transport provider to finalize any details.
If any changes occur that may differ from what your transport provider is expecting, make sure they are contacted & made aware so they can plan accordingly.
Completing Your Boat's Transportation in Ashford
When your vessel safely reaches its destination on the delivery date, your boat transporter should assist you with the unloading or docking and may help you with other parts of maintenance & checks (depending on what you agreed). If there are any other services you need help with, these should be specified at the beginning of the process when listing your required service on Shiply.
Either way, it's important that you check your craft post-transit to ensure that it hasn't been damaged & ask the transporter about any discrepancies so they can be sorted out quickly.
Once your boat is safely docked or secured, you can remove the tape & other securing materials, refill water tanks, reattach batteries & motors or re-rig your sailboat so it's ready to be used again.
When you're satisfied that the transportation job has been completed, please leave a review for the service you used on Shiply on their company profile. Leaving feedback is extremely helpful to us, as it assists other users when choosing a transport provider for their own job, and it also helps transporters continuously improve their service.
So, if you're looking for reliable & affordable boat transport in Ashford, look no further than Shiply. Our network of experienced transport providers will ensure that your boat reaches its destination safely & efficiently. Get started today by creating a listing on our website & receive free quotes from top-rated boat transporters in Ashford & beyond!
