Boat Transport by Road

[paulrae]

I'm looking for a new (well, new to me) boat, around the 32 - 35 foot mark. You know the standard sort of AWB, Ben/Jen/Bav type of thing. Here on the Clyde the numbers are somewhat limited. Looking further afield, the most plentiful supply seems to be on the South coast. I don't have a problem travelling down and looking at a few boats over a weekend, but I'd rather not spend several weeks sailing my new pride and joy home (work doesn't half get in the way). I suppose I could hire a delivery skipper and crew, but I don't know what condition my new purchase will be in, so wouldn't like to risk that.

Does anyone have any experience of typical costs for transporting this size of boat by road over, say 500 miles?

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Paul, don't know how accurate the guidance was, but I was told around £1 per mile, including return mileage if a return load can't be found.... eg about a grand in your case.....

 

[abraxus]

Not quite that size, but had a 28 foot boat transported down from Windermere to the Thames a few years ago, and it was just over 500 quid.

 

[SQUIRRELS]

Hi
Moved my boat last year from East Coast to the Clyde. From recollection it cost about £1200, plus yard costs at either end, i.e. lifting out, dropping mast, stepping mast and back in, probably in region of £1500 all in. We prepared boat for the journey and it's essential to prep well to ensure save arrival. By road it probably took longer than from south coast, so this figure gives you a good idea how much to budget for, poss. even less. Don't think length specifically was too critical, within reason, more distance and driverly time. If you want more detailed info, just PM, happy to share experience.

 

[garvellachs]

Hi Paul: we used a haulage firm to move our Maxi 100 (9.5m) from S Coast to Windermere 3 years ago for £530 plus cranage. We waited until they had a return trip, so we didn't have to pay both ways. The company is Gilbert Brown based in Hawkshead - we were very pleased with them.

 

[theia]

it's not just the length of the boat that you have to think but also the 'air draught' Something of the size that you are thinking of with bilge keels will possibly fit on a normal artic. Fin keel you'll be looking at a low loader. then there is the length of the mast to worry about. Done it several times and have always used normal road haulage as opposed to specialist companies. you also want to make sure that your insurance covers you for road haulage as the hauliers insurance is not adequate to compensate you for the full cost of your boat. The beam also needs consideration as well on certain routes

 

[stravaig03]

There is a firm based in Dumfries that carry boats on a reg basis between the south coast/Scoland approx £800 plus cranage. If you would like the name PM and I'll find it.

 

[Rivers & creeks]

Definitely find a haulier who does this trip every month or so because it really is almost half price if they have a load both ways. You can do some research yourself by phoning a few local brokers to see if they have sold/are selling anything that needs to go down south.

 

[Lakesailor]

We get Gilbert Brown trucks past our house literally every day. Their trailers are multi adjustable for any boat type and the drivers are very skilled. Why would you use a general haulier with your pride and joy?
Just saw this on A N Other Forum :-

"a company called Gilbert Brown and Sons in Hawkshead. Their prime job was to shift boats from the Lake District to anywhere in Europe. That seemed odd to me - ok, the Lakes is full of water, but they were based in the deepest bit of the lake district. Why not set up base near Windermere so of just as you're driving in to the lakes. Anyway, they used to take boats to Greece and everywhere - bloody big things too - must cost the owners a fortune!!"

Gilbert Brown 015394 36480 (I have no connection with them)

 

[matthew99]

Try http://www.btx.co.uk/ they offer your job on the Net to a syndicate of boat hauliers who then tender for the the job. We moved a boat (10M) to the Clyde from the orwell in two stages (Dec 04). For the first stage we had the boat moved to Glasson Dock by road. We got two bids from the syndicate, one for 750 + VAT and another for 650 incl VAT. We chose the latter and were very satisfied with the service.
For the second stage we sailed the boat up to the Clyde via Portpatrick.

The Boat Syndicate appears to be Lancashire based.

 

[ozzyb]

We bought our Benny on the Clyde to come South, with transport and yard costs it was still cheaper than the same spec. on the south coast. We used John Shepard haulage who was doing a return trip from the South. About £750 + vat if your slightly flexible on time it works out cheaper.