Has anyone transported their cruiser to the Med?

[Medskipper]

Thinking I would like a year or so in the sun I wondered if anyone has had their 38-40ish footer transported to the Med? I would love to take it myself but don't have the time. I am quite interested in Italy/Greek islands. Spain is so busy and expensive these days! anyone transported that far?

If so, which method did you use and what was the outcome? cost, method used and damage/theft reports would be a great help.

Many Thanks.

B

 

[ccscott49]

PaulineB had her Riva 48 transported to spain, I'm sure Mr.B would give some advice.

 

[Richard10002]

Just before I left Glasson Dock to sail to Portugal, Al, (who runs the boatyard), told me about 2 motorboats being transported to somewhere in the Med and the cost was about £4K - £5K.

 

[Medskipper]

Was that transportation by road or sea?

 

[Medskipper]

Re: What about transportation by ship?

Anyone had their boat transported to the Med by ship?
And if so, what were the options for ports of delivery?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Apart from sailing the boat yourself to the Med, there are 2 other methods, trucking it or putting it on a ship
I trucked our current 46' flybridge boat out to the Med from Holland and paid about €8000 (about £6k) but that included dismantling some of the flybridge and putting it back together at the other end (due to height restrictions on the route) and lift and launch costs
Previously I've transported a Targa 48 back from the Med to the UK and that cost £4500 but with a sports cruiser there was no dismantling costs
If you're transporting by truck from the UK Peters and May are a good company to talk to. You will find that the cheapest rate will be on a return load basis ie putting the boat on a truck that would otherwise return empty but you may have to wait days or weeks for an oppurtunity to turn up. One important point to remember is insurance. Some truck companies only have basic insurance so you may have to arrange additional insurance thru your existing insurance company
The other way of getting your boat to the Med is putting it on a ship. There are companies like Sevenstar who run regular services from Southampton to Gibraltar or Palma. This service is really designed for larger boats that are impossible or difficult to transport by road. I believe it's more expensive than road transport and the service can be erratic

 

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

Try lawrence from Aardvark there the cheapest but it pays to phone around and play one off against the other to get the best price.
The dutch boys are pretty resonable as well
10.5 m boat £ 3500 to the sth of france is best ive ever done it
Regards
Mark

 

[Nautical]

Can recommend Lawerence, did a 12 m sports cruiser for me from Hamble to La Rague very reasonable and low and behold it turned up exactly within the hour he said it would, client v. impressed!

 

[DavidJ]

Also did Hamble to La Napoule (near La Rague I think) about 5 years ago with a company called Rabalais for 2500 pounds but that was based on them having a return load. Also add to the budget shrink wrapping which was about 250 pounds and also the cost of unloading at the other end.
The boat is a 37ft sports cruiser and required an escort vehicle through France so a good deal at the time.

 

[Richard10002]

road

 

[Medskipper]

Many thanks to you all,

I think I favour the shipping method as I have had boats trucked around the UK before and always suffered some form of damage.

I am also contemplating the idea of selling my boat here and buying another abroad! this would save the hassle of transporting. Having been checking out the internet on boat sales it looks like prices in Italy are very keen at the moment!

 

[totopalm]

Brought a 45ft mobo from Piraeus (Greece) to Sheerness (UK)
on the back of a ship. Very efficient, about the same price as
road transport, would have been difficult by road cos of her
beam and height. Greece seems to have a few bargains, if you are interested i have an excellent broker in Athens, and
details of an excellent Shipper to UK Ports. Cheers Tony

 

[DavidJ]

[ QUOTE ]
I am also contemplating the idea of selling my boat here and buying another abroad!

[/ QUOTE ]

Be careful especially with Greece. We looked there because of cheap prices but many people registered their boats as charter boats and in consequence didn't pay VAT (or the Greek equivalent). The VAT is still due and would be your liability.

 

[Nat]

Hi there
Buying abroad is IMHO the most economical way to go. Also you have to find a mooring which is easier said than done. Buying abroad you will most likely to also take over the mooring. I've bought 2 boats for myself & quite a few to sell on. there are some real bargains out there. I always go through the broker as this saves you a lot of agg. eg finging out they owe the local chandlers or unpaid moorings, also changing from spanish to ssr a good broker will sort all this for you at no extra cost.

 

[MedDreamer]

I tranported my Bayliner 2855 to Majorca through Peters & May (shipped from Southampton directly to Palma). I think the cost was around £4K. I got a quote for road transport which worked out a little more expensive and would have had the hassle of sorting Barcelona (where the Tranporter would have dropped it off) to Majorca leg.

Peters & May were excellent, very helpful. Boat arrived very dirty but OK apart from slight damage to guardrail (£130 to repair).

I think road would have been quicker.

Having done it and knowing what I know now, I wouldn't do it again. I would sell in the UK and buy in the Med where prices are generally lower.

Martyn

 

[totopalm]

Greece is no different to any other EU country, if you buy a
boat anywhere without proof of VAT paid then more fool you.
Unless of course you buy the boat cheap enuf to allow you to
pay the VAT when entering the UK and still have a cheap boat