Discover Budget-Friendly & Dependable Boat Transport with Shiply
Shiply eliminates the stress from boat transportation by assisting you in finding an affordable, trustworthy service that meets your needs. Simply create a listing on our platform & relax as transport providers send you quotes to transport your boat. Once you find a quote that appeals to you, contact the driver, confirm the details, and wait for your boat to be collected.
What Are the Reasons for Requiring Boat Transportation?
Whether you need to transport a narrowboat, sailboat, small craft, or yacht, Shiply can help. Did you recently acquire a new boat & require delivery? Or perhaps you need to get your boat to a location on land? Maybe it's too sizable for you to transport on your own? Regardless of the reason, Shiply can assist you in finding a dependable & professional company to ship your boat at a fair price.
Opting for 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 assist you with all aspects of the transportation process.
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 basic information about your boat to be transported & you will receive complimentary quotes in pounds sterling or euros, depending on your location. After receiving several quotes, you can compare companies based on their qualifications, customer reviews, & prices.
The Expense of Boat Transport
The expense of boat transport will vary based on several factors, but on average, you can anticipate paying between £100 to £260 for shorter distances & between £450 and £750 for longer trips. The average cost per mile for standard boat transport in the UK is around £1.50, but as mentioned, this can fluctuate depending on the boat's size.
The dimensions 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 sailboats or narrowboats will require special attention & will likely be more expensive 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 costly & may require different companies than those in the UK that specialize in road transport.
Utilizing Shiply to Find a Boat Transporter
To create a listing on Shiply, you only need to complete a brief form with details about your boat & the pick-up and drop-off dates and locations. Once your listing is live, you will start receiving complimentary quotes from various transport providers - some of whom may reach out to you to better understand the required services so they can provide an accurate quote for the job.
There are two primary methods of boat transportation, & the method you choose will depend on where your boat needs to go. If your boat requires transportation in a specific manner, please specify this in your Shiply listing.
By road – If your vessel needs to be hauled within the same country, 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 choice.
By sea or river – If your craft needs to be sailed port-to-port, you can hire a crew to accomplish this. Crews should inspect your vessel, plot courses, & check shipping forecasts on your behalf.
After receiving quotes, ensure you verify the credentials & feedback of any skippers and crew hands, which you can view by accessing the transport providers' company profiles on Shiply. If you're moving a sailboat, RYA or MCA accredited crews are the qualifications to seek out.
With any type of transportation, it's crucial to check the level of experience & professional insurance coverage they offer (do not accept personal insurance) so you can make the most informed decision for your specific situation.
Don't hesitate to ask the companies any questions about the transportation process, as they often have extensive experience.
Finding the ideal boat transport service can be daunting if you intend to compare all the prices & credentials. Larger companies might charge less, while smaller family-run transporters could provide a more personalized service.
Readying Your Boat for Transport
If your vessel is being transported by land, there are several preparatory tasks to ensure the transportation goes as smoothly as possible. You'll want to plan well in advance to allow sufficient time to prepare for the transport & to enable you to find a suitable transport service. Boat deliveries can be carried out in various ways, but regardless, ensure your boat is prepared correctly to prevent any damage, leakage, or dangerous loose ends during the journey.
Inspect the condition - Thoroughly examine the interior & exterior of your vessel for any pre-existing damage. This way, you can determine if it sustains any during transit. You may want to photograph the condition before its journey.
Remove valuables - Ensure you remove anything valuable from your boat before it's transported, as these items will not be insured.
Empty the bilge, water, refuse stores, & most of the fuel - Pump out wastewater & other liquids. Any freshwater tanks & rubbish should be emptied, fuel tanks disconnected, & the majority of the gasoline drained to make the boat lighter to deliver & prevent potential leakages during transport.
Disconnect battery & tidy cables - A precaution that will help avoid draining the battery & 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 ensure that all exposed electronics are covered & battery cables are tucked away.
Secure items - If they aren't travelling separately, ensure all accessories & life jackets are stowed away in lockers. Secure all doors & compartments in the galley & 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 removed if they will make the boat too large to transport easily.
You can also check with your boatyard for any other precautions they might consider 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. After accepting a quote on Shiply, you will be able to communicate with the transport provider directly.
If any changes occur that may differ from what your transport provider is expecting, ensure they are contacted & made aware so they can plan accordingly.
Boat Transport in Widnes, Merseyside, UK
Widnes, situated in Merseyside, UK, is a popular destination for boat owners & enthusiasts. Many people frequently move boats to & from Widnes for various reasons, such as buying a new boat, relocating, or participating in boating events.
Widnes' proximity to the River Mersey & the Manchester Ship Canal makes it an ideal location for boat transport. The town's well-connected road network also facilitates easy transportation of boats by land.
When searching for boat transport in Widnes, it's essential to choose a reliable & experienced service provider. Shiply can assist you in finding the right boat transport company in Widnes, ensuring that your vessel is moved safely & efficiently.
Finalizing Your Boat's Transportation
When your vessel safely reaches its destination on the delivery date, your boat transporter should assist you with the unloading or docking & may help you with other aspects of maintenance & checks (depending on what you agreed). If there are any other services you need assistance with, these should be specified at the beginning of the process when listing your required service on Shiply.
Regardless, it's important that you inspect your craft post-transit to ensure that it hasn't been damaged & ask the transporter about any discrepancies so they can be resolved promptly.
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 selecting a transport provider for their own job, & it also helps transporters continuously improve their service.
