Shiply: Simplifying Boat Transport in Stafford
Shiply is here to eliminate the stress of boat transport by helping you discover an economical & dependable service that suits your needs. Simply create a listing on our platform & relax as transport providers send you quotes to relocate your boat. Once you find a quote that appeals to you, contact the driver, confirm the details, & await the pickup of your boat.
Why Is Boat Transportation Necessary?
Whether you require a narrowboat, sailboat, small boat, or yacht transported, Shiply can assist you. Have you recently purchased a new boat & need it delivered? Or perhaps you need to get your boat to a specific location on land? Maybe it's too sizable for you to transport on your own? Regardless of the reason, Shiply can help you find a trustworthy & professional company to ship your boat at a fair price. Opting for a specialized boat hauler will ensure your vessel is in capable hands. Boat haulage companies in the UK & internationally are well-versed in working with boats, marinas, & ports, & should guide you through all aspects of the transportation process.
By listing your boat transportation on Shiply, our network of transport providers will offer you price quotes. You simply need to complete a form with basic information about your boat & its transportation, & you will receive complimentary quotes in pounds sterling or euros, depending on your location. After receiving multiple quotes, you can compare companies based on their qualifications, customer reviews, & prices.
What Is the Cost of Transporting a Boat?
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 journeys. The average cost per mile for standard boat transport in the UK is around £1.50, but this can fluctuate depending on the boat's size. The dimensions of the boat being transported 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 require special attention & 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 also plays a role in pricing, as international boat transport is considerably more expensive & 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, pickup & drop-off dates, & 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 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 requires transportation in a specific manner, please indicate this on 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 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 they offer (do not accept personal insurance) so you can make the most informed decision for your unique situation.
Don't hesitate to ask the companies any questions about the transportation process, as they often possess a high level of expertise.
Finding the right boat transport service can be daunting if you intend to compare all the prices & credentials. Larger companies might charge less, whereas 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 as far in advance as possible to give yourself ample 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.
Check the condition - Thoroughly inspect 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, & the majority of 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 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 ensure that all exposed electronics are covered & battery cables are tucked away.
Make things secure - 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 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 & 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 upon). 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 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.
Why People Frequently Move Boats To & From Stafford
Stafford, situated in Staffordshire, UK, is a popular destination for boat owners & enthusiasts. Many individuals opt to move their boats to & from Stafford for various reasons. One of the primary reasons is the city's proximity to several major waterways, including the River Sow & the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. These waterways provide excellent opportunities for boating, fishing, & other water-based activities.
Another reason people move their boats to Stafford is the availability of high-quality marinas & boatyards in the area. These facilities offer secure storage, maintenance services, & easy access to the waterways, making it convenient for boat owners to keep their vessels in top condition.
Additionally, Stafford's central location within the UK makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the country's extensive network of canals & rivers. Many boat owners use Stafford as a base for their boating adventures, setting off on trips to explore the picturesque countryside & historic towns along the way.
Whether you're a seasoned boater or a newcomer to the world of watercraft, Stafford offers a welcoming & vibrant boating community, making it an attractive destination for those looking to move their boats to or from the area. With the help of reliable boat transport services like Shiply, getting your vessel to & from Stafford has never been easier.
