Recommendations/advice for motor boat transport in UK

S1975

S1975

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Joined
6 Oct 2013
Messages
33
Location
N.Wales - Anglesey based.
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I would appreciate any positive Haulage Company recommendations (and Haulage preparation tips for the boat) from your experience ready for moving a 30 foot motorboat boat from S.coast to the North.

Quality/experience/overall service of Haulage operator rather than the cost is the main interest. Distance will be about 300 miles.

Many thanks.

S1975
 
Ye we used c-way from esssex to n wales great service he had to be there to cach tides we had 36ft fly moved was not there when lifted out b ut better if you are even if its just for the photos .roy
 
I used Bugler Transport for my Azi. They were really professional, calm and helpful, during a process that I found quite challenging. Nothing too much trouble for them. If your boat is 30 feet, then you probably don't need too much prep other than removing canopies, cushions, anything that might be blown off/dropped off during the transport. Ensure that anything that can rattle around in lockers/cupboards is taken out or packed up tight. If you would like Chris Bugler's phone number, give me a shout.
 
I had a 33 foot motor cruiser moved from Northern Ireland to the south east of the uk. The delivery was awful, the driver having followed the sat nav, causing large gashes through the gel coat below the water
Line and knocking the gps and radar off. so definitely choose your haulier with great care, and make sure it is a large reputable company and not a one man band. this is not an area you want to look to save a few hundred pounds

as far as pre trip preparations then I would drain the fw tank, holding tank and have the fuel tanks pumped out if possible. Some hauliers require this.

Remove any aerials that you can, eg gps, vhf. If you have a radome and can't remove it completely them unbolt it and secure it as low as possible. Cover it with a plywood cover.

Do remove all the canvas, isolate the batteries.

At the very least remove the fuses on any automatic bilge pumps. If you don't then you run the risk of them cutting in when the truck brakes, discharging carp onto the pavement and through shop doorways (it has happened as have the fines)

Be there for the lifts and photograph everything.

Obviously stow the crockery etc.

Double lash the anchor or anything else large that could cause damage if it wanders about eg the tender outboard

Ask to see the truckers insurance cert. if they won't show it or get upset, then maybe look elsewhere. alternatively your insurer should extend your own policy for a fee, which may be worthwhile considering the value of the boat.

I have many photos of how NOT to do it, tend not to take pics when it all goes ok.

At the end of the day, it's pretty painless if you do the obvious things.
 
Geoff and Gill Houghton - Boat Transport Ltd
Terry Ollerton
Chris Bugler

I've used all of the above at one time or another.

Geoff Houghton is my number one choice as I find him exceptionally professional and arrives where he says when he says. If needed he'll organise convoys etc.
Terry is also first class and a top bloke with it.
Chris I know less about, but used him (the company I was with did) back in the mid naughties a number of times for largish Azimuts.
 
Nautibusiness said:
Geoff and Gill Houghton - Boat Transport Ltd
Terry Ollerton
Chris Bugler

I've used all of the above at one time or another.

Geoff Houghton is my number one choice as I find him exceptionally professional and arrives where he says when he says. If needed he'll organise convoys etc.
Terry is also first class and a top bloke with it.
Chris I know less about, but used him (the company I was with did) back in the mid naughties a number of times for largish Azimuts.
Click to expand...

+1 for Chris Bugler. He moved my largish (well 40 footer, large enough for me!) Azi in August, and his team did a fantastic job, as I said above.
 
I used Erik Hudson earlier this year to move my Corniche from Poole to Eastbourne

Price was by far the most competitive and the whole job etc was completed professionally

Details below

No connection other than being a satisfied customer

Erik Hudson
17, Redhill Crescent
Basset, Southampton
Hampshire
SO16 7BQ

tel / fax: 023 8034 0524
mobile: 0774 045 1005
email: info@transportboat.co.uk

http://www.transportboat.co.uk
 
Last edited:
Thank you very much everyone for your very useful recommendations, words of advice/experience and tips for transportation. This is something that I have only arranged once before, on a smaller sail boat, and before the internet. The forum is a great resource and I look forward to your advice and experience and the useful words on the forum as I move into the realm of owning my own motor cruiser.

Thank you and Regards

S1975
 
Nautibusiness said:
Geoff and Gill Houghton - Boat Transport Ltd
Terry Ollerton
Chris Bugler

I've used all of the above at one time or another.

Geoff Houghton is my number one choice as I find him exceptionally professional and arrives where he says when he says. If needed he'll organise convoys etc.
Terry is also first class and a top bloke with it.
Chris I know less about, but used him (the company I was with did) back in the mid naughties a number of times for largish Azimuts.
Click to expand...

Houghton is moving my old princess from swanwick to Swansea on Monday I hope he lives up to his reputation.
 
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