Appx costs of moving 26Ft bilge keel yacht by road please?

[mickywillis]

Hi All,
After looking round our potential purchase yesterday, we would like to get a rough idea on costs for moving the boat by road, from Ipswich to the South Coast.
How would the costs compare to having the boat delivered by road or bringing it round by sea?
I'm not the most confident of sailors and relatively inexperienced (compared to most) but with the right crew, I would consider sailing round from Ipswich to Langstone Harbour, so any ideas on how long to allow for such a journey and would it be within my scope to do so? Has anyone on the forum done this trip and if so, what/where are the likely pitfalls or problems encountered?
Any input gratefully received.
Thanks

 

[Kelpie]

We recently moved our new 33ft boat by road over a much longer distance. By the time you factor in the cranes at either end, not much change from £2k (ouch). The crane at the southern end was about three times the cost of the one our end, for some reason.

A boat of your size/type may be within the realm of a DIY job, though. A car transporter or big flatbed trailer might do the job. What sort of weight is she?
Another option would be a HIAB mounted on a lorry- that should be relatively economical.

 

[Tranona]

Difficult to give accurate figures because it depends on the type of truck you can find and whether you are able to fit in with a return load. You also have to consider cranage costs at either end and unstepping/stepping the mast. It is unlikely to be less than £1000, but you have the advantage of getting it there quickly with no damage and also being able to check/replace the rigging while the mast is down.

On the other hand a sea delivery is not too demanding in the summer as can be done in a series of day sails - allow about a week of good weather. You will certainly learn a lot about the boat, but there is always the risk that you will encounter problems with the boat, particularly if it has not been used for a while. The ideal maybe is a week shakedown where it is located to sort out any problems and then engage a professional skipper to accompany you. This is likely to cost the same or less than road but the benefit is you will learn a lot about your new boat. You may want to read dylan's thread on Scuttlebutt as he is doing the passage the opposite way in a Centaur.

TBH at that end of the price market you are better buying a boat local to where you are going to keep it as costs of moving are disproportionate to the value of the boat.

 

[vyv_cox]

I bought a 26 ft bilge keel boat at Weymouth and had it transported to Milford Haven. The cost was £900. If you can find a local transport company with a Hiab truck, surely lots on the South coast, you can save the cranage costs at each end.

 

[Moonbeam]

In Dec 2011 we had a 29 ft bilge keel moved from Gillingham-Kent/Medway to Chichester Harbour. We used Jim Brett, a Kent based boat mover and it was £450 excluding any boatyard work such as crane/haul-out/launch etc... he was half the nearest price of any other boat mover. He was also super friendly, completely professional and did not charge VAT as he was not VAT registered, this made a big difference to lowering the quote.

A quick search on internet and... sadly looks like he has now retired, but this chap has taken over his reigns http://www.squirrelmarine.com/ I don't know anything about him, but he might be worth a call.

 

[Downsman]

I've been quoted £375 for a 21 foot bilge keeler weighing 1225 Kgs ( that's the official build weight). Collect with a Hiab equipped flatbed lorry at Newhaven and deliver to Emsworth. www.sussextransport.com/‎

Apart from the quote..no connection.

 

[Scillypete]

If the boat is fit for it I would say go by sea it is not that far and can be done in just a few daysailing hops. Which is ok if you can spare the time and can await reasonable weather. Keep the passages as simple as possible and you will feel your confidence rising, maybe take someone experienced along as crew if you're that worried. I brought a Halcyon 27 from the Deben to Scilly several years ago now but in early March it took us a week with stops in Dover and Dartmouth, your trip is half that distance.

Boat transport is not cheap but a 26 footer will fit on a flatbed lorry and if that lorry is fitted with a HIAB crane of sufficient lifting power then even better. If you have any mates that hold a LGV license it may even be possible to hire one and do the job yourselves.

This is our previous boat a Hunter horizon 273 being loaded for launching

 

[mudkipper]

Jason of Squirrel Marine, took over from Jim Brett who sometimes still helps out I understand. Does what he says, reliable, careful and cheerful.
Halmatic 30 from Poole to Sandwich April this year, less than £700.

 

[Aardee]

+1 for sailing it around. Not an overly tricky sail and a great learning experience with a decent crew

 

[MoodySabre]

+1 for sailing it around. Not an overly tricky sail and a great learning experience with a decent crew

+1

 

[mickywillis]

Hey guys, thanks for the info, really appreciate it.
I do have a friend who MAY? be able to assist in the sailing round from Ipswich.
If we do go ahead with purchase, there is a chance of a 3 month temporary membership of the club where boat currently is. That will give us time to do shakedown sails, learn about the boat, service engine, etc before making the journey round.
Scary times as we still have our Zara down in Langstone, so will be possibly owning 2 boats at the same time (plus all the associated costs times 2)
Still may think about the by road option.
Boat is a Westerly Griffon and weighs in at about 5 tons? So would a HIAB be able to lift that amount? Would a HIAB also be able to remove/refit mast at both ends too? That I guess would save a fair bit of cash.

 

[Tryweryn]

Just moving a 30ft from Ipswitch to North Wales and the lowest I could find is £14500. But be warned to pack it ready to ship if done by the marina is about £1000

 

[Tryweryn]

A HIAB driver here told me it will lift my Moody 30 but sadly it will only do up to 12ft 2" Also I was told the Marina where my boat is only allow themselves to lift it.

 

[duncanmack]

Hey guys, thanks for the info, really appreciate it.
I do have a friend who MAY? be able to assist in the sailing round from Ipswich.
If we do go ahead with purchase, there is a chance of a 3 month temporary membership of the club where boat currently is. That will give us time to do shakedown sails, learn about the boat, service engine, etc before making the journey round.
Scary times as we still have our Zara down in Langstone, so will be possibly owning 2 boats at the same time (plus all the associated costs times 2)
Still may think about the by road option.
Boat is a Westerly Griffon and weighs in at about 5 tons? So would a HIAB be able to lift that amount? Would a HIAB also be able to remove/refit mast at both ends too? That I guess would save a fair bit of cash.

Hi Micky

She should weigh in at about 3 tonnes. Any hiab that can handle that will also handle unstepping/stepping the mast!

I'd sail her!

 

[Tryweryn]

Your boat can prob go on a trailer with a four wheel drive.

 

[James W]

Your boat can prob go on a trailer with a four wheel drive.

If you don't need a lift, I have used these guys and had great service before when moving boat from Bosham to Maldon. No links etc, just happy customer.

http://www.bmlboattransport.co.uk

 

[FulmarJeddo]

Your boat can prob go on a trailer with a four wheel drive.

I don't think many 4x4s could safely or legally tow a Griffon on a trailer. You could do the trip by sea in 3 or 4 days. When I bought my Fulmar in Falmouth, I sailed it back to the Medway in Kent in 8 days including 1 lost day in Gosport due to a force 8. Sounds as though you will have the chance to get to know the boat before setting off. A long trip in a new to you boat is a little worrying but a great way to get to know the boat.

 

[lpdsn]

Just moving a 30ft from Ipswitch to North Wales and the lowest I could find is £14500. But be warned to pack it ready to ship if done by the marina is about £1000

Is that really £14,500? Have you chartered a Hercules Aircraft for the trip.

 

[Kelpie]

Your boat can prob go on a trailer with a four wheel drive.

I would doubt that. When you add on a trailer (our Vega's weighs about 750kg) you'll surely be over the 3500kg limit that landrovers etc can tow.

 

[Tranona]

Still may think about the by road option.
Boat is a Westerly Griffon and weighs in at about 5 tons? So would a HIAB be able to lift that amount? Would a HIAB also be able to remove/refit mast at both ends too? That I guess would save a fair bit of cash.

Griffon will be just over 3 tons (2.6 light ship plus gear) so well within HIAB assuming it is a straight lift from alongside. Most economic road method, particularly if you do the mast. OTOH good boat to do the trip by sea!