Discover Budget-Friendly & Trustworthy Boat Transport Services with Shiply
Shiply eliminates the stress from boat transportation by assisting you in finding an economical, reliable service that fits your requirements. Simply create a listing on our platform & relax as transport providers send you quotes to transport your boat. Once you find a quote that suits you, reach out to the driver, confirm the details, and await the collection of your boat.
The Necessity of Boat Transportation
Whether you require transportation for a narrowboat, sailboat, small craft, or yacht, Shiply can help. Perhaps you've recently acquired a new boat & need it delivered? Or maybe you need to get your boat to a land-based destination? It might be too large 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 ensures that you're in capable hands. Boat haulage companies in the UK & internationally are well-versed in working with boats, marinas, & ports and should guide you through 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 & you will receive free quotes in pounds sterling or euros, depending on your location. After receiving several quotes, you can compare companies based on their credentials, customer feedback, & costs.
The Expense of Boat Transport
The expense of boat transport varies based on several factors, but on average, you can anticipate paying between £100 to £260 for shorter distances & between £450 & £750 for longer trips. The average cost per mile for standard boat transport in the UK is around £1.50, but this can fluctuate based 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 have a higher transportation cost. 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 & may require different companies than those in the UK who 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, pick-up & drop-off dates, & locations. Once your listing is live, you will start receiving free quotes from various transport providers - some of whom may contact you to better understand the required services so they can provide an accurate quote for the work.
There are two primary methods of boat transportation, & the method you choose will depend on your boat's destination. If your boat requires transportation in a specific way, 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.
Once you have received some quotes, ensure that you verify the credentials & feedback of any skippers & crew hands, which you can view by visiting 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 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 extensive experience.
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.
Readying Your Boat for Transport
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 inspect 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 & 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 & 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 travelling separately, make sure 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 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 with the transport provider to arrange the 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.
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 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, & it also helps transporters continuously improve their service.
Why People Frequently Move Boats to & from York, North Yorkshire, UK
York, situated in North Yorkshire, UK, is a popular destination for boat enthusiasts. The city lies on the confluence of the Rivers Ouse & Foss, making it an ideal location for boating activities. Many people transport their boats to York to enjoy the picturesque waterways & participate in various water sports. The city also hosts several boating events throughout the year, attracting visitors from all over the country.
Moreover, York is home to several marinas & boatyards that offer storage, maintenance & repair services for boats. These facilities make it convenient for boat owners to keep their vessels in the area, whether they live nearby or are visiting from other parts of the UK.
When it comes to moving boats to or from York, many people rely on professional boat transport services to ensure their vessels are transported safely & efficiently. Shiply can help connect boat owners with reliable transport providers who specialize in boat transport in the York area, making the process of moving a boat stress-free & hassle-free.