Shiply is Here to Alleviate the Anxiety of Boat Transport
Shiply is present to alleviate the anxiety of boat transportation by assisting you in locating an economical and dependable service that suits your needs. Simply create a listing on our website and relax as transport providers approach you with quotes to relocate your boat. Once you discover a quote that appeals to you, contact the driver, confirm, and await the collection of your boat.
What is the Purpose of Boat Transportation?
Whether you require a narrowboat, sailboat, small boat, or yacht transported, Shiply can assist. Did you recently purchase a new boat and require delivery? Or perhaps you need to transport your boat to a land-based destination? Maybe it's too sizable for you to transport independently. Regardless of the reason, Shiply can help you find a reliable and professional company for shipping your boat at the appropriate price. Selecting a specialized boat hauler will ensure you are in capable hands. Boat haulage companies in the UK and internationally will be knowledgeable about the intricacies of working with boats, marinas, and ports and should assist you with all aspects of the transportation process.
Listing your boat transportation on Shiply and our network of transport providers will provide you with price quotes. You simply need to complete a form with some basic information about your boat to be transported, and you will receive free quotes in pounds sterling or euros, depending on your location. Once you've received several quotes, you'll be able to compare companies based on their credentials, customer feedback, and costs.
What is the Cost of Transporting a Boat?
The expense of boat transport will vary depending on several factors, but as an average cost, 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 is around £1.50 per mile in the UK, but as mentioned, this can vary depending on the size of the boat. The dimensions of the boat being moved will significantly impact the cost. For example, small boat transport is straightforward as they can often be hauled on the road, whereas something like a larger sailboat or narrowboat will require special attention and will likely cost more to transport. A narrowboat may require specialist narrowboat movers due to its unique size. Whether the boat needs to be transported within the UK or internationally will also play a role in the pricing, as international boat transport will cost significantly more and may require different companies than those in the UK who 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 some details about your boat and the pick-up and drop-off dates and locations. Once your listing is complete, you will begin to receive free quotes from various transport providers - some of which may reach out to you to understand the required services more clearly so they can determine how best to 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 is required to be transported in a particular way, please specify this on your Shiply listing.
By road – If your vessel needs to be hauled within the same country, you'll find that road transportation is likely the best option. If you're moving parts of a boat only or a non-starting boat, transportation by road is your only option.
By sea or river – If your craft needs to be sailed port-to-port, then you can hire a crew to do this. Crews should inspect your vessel, plot courses, and check shipping forecasts for you.
Once you have received some quotes, ensure you check the credentials and feedback of any skippers and crew hands, which you can see by viewing the transport providers' company profiles on Shiply. If you're moving a sailboat, then RYA or MCA accredited crews are the qualifications to look out for.
With any type of transportation, it's crucial to check the level of experience and professional insurance cover that they offer (do not accept personal insurance) so you can make the most informed decision for your individual situation.
Do not hesitate to ask the companies any questions about the transportation process, as they will often have a high level of expertise.
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 ahead as possible to give yourself enough time to prepare for the transport and 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 - Make sure you 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 - 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, 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 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 inspect 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 assists other users when choosing a transport provider for their own job, and it also helps transporters continuously improve their service.
Boat Transport in Wiltshire, UK
Wiltshire is a county in South West England renowned for its picturesque countryside, historic landmarks, and thriving boating community. Many people choose to move their boats to and from Wiltshire for various reasons, such as purchasing a new boat, relocating to a new area, or participating in boating events and competitions.
If you require boat transport in Wiltshire, Shiply can connect you with reliable and affordable transport providers who specialize in boat transport Wiltshire. Whether you need to transport a small boat, a sailboat, or a narrowboat, our network of experienced transporters can handle the job with care and professionalism.
When searching for Wiltshire boat transport, it's important to choose a provider who has experience navigating the unique challenges of transporting boats in the area. From navigating narrow roads and low bridges to ensuring the boat is properly secured for transport, a skilled transporter can make all the difference in ensuring your boat arrives at its destination safely and on time.
So if you require boat transport in Wiltshire, don't hesitate to create a listing on Shiply today. With our easy-to-use platform and network of trusted transport providers, you can find the perfect solution for your boat transportation needs in no time.
