Economical & Dependable Boat Shipping Solutions
Shiply aims to alleviate the anxiety associated with boat transportation by assisting you in locating a cost-effective and trustworthy service that suits your requirements. Simply create a listing on our platform and relax as transport providers approach you with quotes to relocate your boat. Once you identify a quote that appeals to you, contact the driver, confirm the details, and await the collection of your boat.
What Are the Reasons for Requiring Boat Shipping?
Whether you need to transport a narrowboat, sailboat, small craft, or yacht, Shiply can provide assistance. Perhaps you've recently purchased a new boat and require delivery? Or maybe you need to get your boat to a specific location on land? It could be that it's too sizable for you to transport independently? Regardless of the reason, Shiply can help you find a dependable and professional company to ship your boat at a competitive price. Opting for a specialized boat hauler will ensure that you're in capable hands. Boat haulage companies in the UK and 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 requirements on Shiply, our network of transport providers will provide you with price quotes. You simply need to complete a form with basic information about the boat to be transported, and 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 credentials, customer feedback, and costs.
The Expense of Transporting a Boat
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 and £750 for longer journeys. The average cost per mile for standard boat transport in the UK is approximately £1.50 per mile, but as mentioned, this can vary depending on the size of the boat. 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 vessels like sailboats or narrowboats will require special attention and will likely incur higher transportation costs. 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 that specialize in road transport.
Utilizing Shiply to Locate a Boat Transporter
To create a listing on Shiply, you only need to complete a brief form with details about your boat, as well as 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, enabling them to 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 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 to be the most suitable option. If you're moving only parts of a boat or a non-operational boat, transportation by road is your sole choice.
By sea or river - If your craft needs to be sailed from port to port, you can hire a crew to accomplish this. Crews should inspect your vessel, plot courses, and check shipping forecasts on your behalf.
Once you have received some quotes, ensure that you verify the credentials and feedback of any skippers and crew members, which you can do by viewing the transport providers' company profiles on Shiply. If you're moving a sailboat, 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 and 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 and 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 in advance as possible to give yourself ample time to prepare for the transport and to enable you to find a suitable transport service. Boat deliveries can be carried out in various 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 and exterior of your vessel for any pre-existing damage. This way, you can determine if it sustains any damage during transit. You may want to take photographs of the condition before its journey.
Remove valuables - Ensure that you remove anything valuable from 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. Any freshwater tanks and rubbish should be emptied, fuel tanks disconnected, and the majority of the gasoline emptied to make the boat lighter to deliver and prevent any potential leakages during transport.
Disconnect battery and 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 and battery cables are tucked away.
Make things secure - If they aren't travelling separately, make sure all accessories and life jackets are stowed away in lockers. Secure all doors and 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 and rigging etc. from the mast is important (also provide padding for points at which the mast will be tied down). Pulpits, stanchions, and 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 directly.
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 aspects of maintenance and checks (depending on what you agreed upon). If there are any additional services you require 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 and 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 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 assists other users when choosing a transport provider for their own job, and it also helps transporters continuously improve their service.
Boat Transport in Shropshire, UK
Shropshire, situated in the West Midlands of England, is a popular destination for boat enthusiasts. With its picturesque countryside, historic towns and villages, and extensive network of canals and rivers, Shropshire attracts many boat owners who wish to explore the region's waterways. Consequently, there is a significant demand for boat transport services in Shropshire, both for those relocating their boats to the area and for those moving their vessels elsewhere.
Many individuals choose to transport their boats to Shropshire to enjoy the stunning scenery along the Shropshire Union Canal, which stretches from Wolverhampton to Ellesmere Port, passing through the heart of the county. Others may be drawn to the River Severn, the longest river in the UK, which flows through Shropshire and offers a variety of boating opportunities.
Whether you're a local resident looking to move your boat within Shropshire or a visitor planning to bring your vessel to the region, Shiply can help you find reliable and affordable boat transport services. Our network of experienced transport providers covers the entire county, ensuring that you can easily find a suitable solution for your boat transportation needs in Shropshire.
