Why Do I Require Boat Transportation Services?
Whether you need to transport a sailboat, yacht, narrowboat, or small boat, Shiply can assist. Perhaps you've recently purchased a new vessel & need it delivered? Maybe you need to get your boat to a specific location on land? It could be that it's too large for you to move on your own. Regardless of the reason, Shiply can help you find a professional & reliable company to ship your boat at an affordable price. Opting for a specialized boat hauler will ensure your vessel is in safe hands. Boat haulage companies in the UK & abroad are well-versed in working with marinas, ports, and boats, and should assist you with all aspects of the transportation process.
By listing your boat transportation needs on Shiply, our network of transport providers will offer you quotes. Simply fill out a form with basic information about the boat to be transported, and you'll 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, and costs.
What Is the Cost of Transporting a Boat?
The price of boat transport varies based on several factors, but on average, you can anticipate paying between £100 to £260 for shorter distances and £450 to £750 for longer trips. In the UK, the average cost per mile for standard boat transport is around £1.50, but this can vary depending on the boat's size. The size of the boat being transported significantly impacts the cost; for example, small boat transport is relatively easy as they can often be hauled on the road, while larger sailboats or narrowboats require special attention and will likely cost more to move. A narrowboat may necessitate specialized narrowboat movers due to its unique dimensions. Whether the boat needs to be transported within the UK or internationally also affects the pricing, as international boat transport is significantly more expensive and may require different companies than those in the UK that specialize in road transport.
Utilizing Shiply to Locate a Boat Transporter
To create a listing on Shiply, simply fill out a brief form with details about your boat, pick-up and drop-off dates, and locations. Once your listing is complete, you'll start receiving free quotes from various transport providers - some may reach out to 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, and the method you choose will depend on where your boat needs to go. If you require your boat to be transported 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 only choice.
By sea or river - If your craft needs to be sailed port-to-port, you can hire a crew to do this. Crews should inspect your vessel, plot courses, and check shipping forecasts for you.
Once you've received quotes, be sure to check the credentials and feedback of any skippers and crew hands, which you can view by visiting the transport providers' company profiles on Shiply. If you're moving a sailboat, look for RYA or MCA accredited crews.
With any type of transportation, it's crucial to check the level of experience and professional insurance cover 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 often have a high level of experience.
Finding the right boat transport service can be overwhelming if you intend to compare all the prices and credentials. Larger companies might charge less, while 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 the transportation goes as smoothly as possible. Plan as far ahead as possible to give yourself enough time to prepare for the transport and find a suitable transport service. Boat deliveries can be carried out in several different ways, but regardless, ensure your boat is prepared correctly to prevent any damage, leakage, or dangerous loose ends during the journey.
Check the condition - Thoroughly inspect the interior and 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 - Take anything valuable off your boat before it's transported, as these items will not be insured.
Empty the bilge, water, refuse stores, and the majority of fuel - Pump out wastewater and other liquids. Empty any freshwater tanks and rubbish, disconnect fuel tanks, and drain the majority of the gasoline to make the boat lighter to deliver and prevent any potential leakages during transport.
Disconnect battery and tidy cables - This precaution 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 and battery cables are tucked away.
Make things secure - If they aren't traveling separately, stow all accessories and life jackets in lockers. Secure all doors and compartments in the galley and washrooms. Also, ensure 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 and rigging etc. from the mast is important (also provide padding for points at which the mast will be tied down). Only take off pulpits, stanchions, and lifelines 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, 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 to arrange the final details.
If any changes occur that may differ from what your transport provider is expecting, make sure they are contacted and 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 and may help you with other parts of maintenance and 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 and 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 and other securing materials, refill water tanks, reattach batteries and 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 helps other users when choosing a transport provider for their own job, and it also helps transporters continuously improve their service.
Boat Transport in Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, UK
Abingdon-on-Thames, located in Oxfordshire, UK, is a popular destination for boat owners and enthusiasts. Many people often move their boats to and from Abingdon-on-Thames for various reasons, such as recreational activities, maintenance, or storage. If you're looking for reliable boat transport services in Abingdon-on-Thames, Shiply can help you find the right provider for your needs.
Our network of boat transport companies in Abingdon-on-Thames offers a range of services, including road transport for smaller boats and specialist narrowboat movers for larger vessels. Whether you need to transport your boat within Oxfordshire or to other parts of the UK, Shiply can connect you with experienced and professional boat transport providers in the area.
By listing your boat transport requirements on Shiply, you'll receive competitive quotes from multiple transport companies in Abingdon-on-Thames. This allows you to compare prices, services, and customer reviews to find the best option for your specific needs and budget. With Shiply, you can rest assured that your boat will be in safe hands during its journey to or from Abingdon-on-Thames.
