Rough cost for road transport from Barcelona to France North Coast?

[seanfoster]

Hi All,

I'm looking into the feasibility of transporting a 32ft fin keel yacht from Barcelona to the North Coast of France (Le Harve for example).

I've looked at the alternatives; delivery by sea, approx 1700 NM I've ruled this out as I can't be sure of the condition of the sails, rigging, safety gear etc.
Sailing myself either by seaward route or through the French Canals, not really feasible due to time commitments, loss of earnings, plus I've roughly worked out cost of fuel, living expenses, unstepping/stepping mast etc around £1500 + 5-6 weeks earnings lost.

So transport by road may be an option (I haven't yet bought, or even decided on the boat and if the other costs are too high I may as well look for something nearer to home) after reading through other threads a return load from another delivery would be what I'd be looking for.

So my questions are, is Barcelona to Northern France a regular delivery route?
Any ball park figures for how much this would be?
How long would the journey take?
Any recommendations for hauliers?

I was going to request a quote on Shipley but as I'm in the early stages I'm trying to get an idea of what's available first.
Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

[Tranona]

Around £5k Plus lifts and mast step/unstep. suggest you use a UK boat transporter and you may find it almost as cheap to get it over to the UK. When I did it 5 years ago, could not get a French company to go to Spain so used www.boatshift.com Was just over £4.5k for a 37ft to Poole. It is a regular route for UK based hauliers - mostly going the other way so good chance of a return load if you are flexible on timing.

 

[seanfoster]

Around £5k Plus lifts and mast step/unstep. suggest you use a UK boat transporter and you may find it almost as cheap to get it over to the UK. When I did it 5 years ago, could not get a French company to go to Spain so used www.boatshift.com Was just over £4.5k for a 37ft to Poole. It is a regular route for UK based hauliers - mostly going the other way so good chance of a return load if you are flexible on timing.

Thanks for that, I was guessing it would be around the £5K mark, think it may be worth doing as the strong Pound against the Euro is making a good few yachts look quite attractive pricewise!

 

[Tranona]

Be aware though that you might be disappointed when you actually see a bargain boat out there!

 

[colind3782]

I looked at this a few years ago, albeit UK to Spain and I was told that there are significant cost advantages in lifting in and out in France due to French taxation and Channel ferry costs. My plan then was to cross the channel to Cherbourg, lift out and load the truck, then launch in the South of France near the border, sailing to my destination, Empuriabrava. In the end I bought a boat in Barcelona and moved it to Empuriabrava over a couple of days.

I have no idea what the tax rules are but it would be worth researching.

 

[seanfoster]

I looked at this a few years ago, albeit UK to Spain and I was told that there are significant cost advantages in lifting in and out in France due to French taxation and Channel ferry costs. My plan then was to cross the channel to Cherbourg, lift out and load the truck, then launch in the South of France near the border, sailing to my destination, Empuriabrava. In the end I bought a boat in Barcelona and moved it to Empuriabrava over a couple of days.

I have no idea what the tax rules are but it would be worth researching.

Thanks for your reply, I have seen that VAT is not payable on services outside the UK when using a UK based haulier, not sure how true that is though I'd have to look into it.

 

[Fendant]

Check out the special Dutch boat transport companies, you might find somebody who needs a freight back.
If your boat is not heavily oversized in width ( i.e. > 3.5 meters ), I would also check Spain to the UK rates.

 

[oldgit]

Recently been quoted £6K for 36ft MoBo.

 

[charles_reed]

Around £5k Plus lifts and mast step/unstep. suggest you use a UK boat transporter and you may find it almost as cheap to get it over to the UK. When I did it 5 years ago, could not get a French company to go to Spain so used www.boatshift.com Was just over £4.5k for a 37ft to Poole. It is a regular route for UK based hauliers - mostly going the other way so good chance of a return load if you are flexible on timing.

As Tranona points out - if you can get on as a return load, for a UK transporter - you'll find it fairly cheap. How frequently it happens is down to people wanting their boat in Barcelona and not being able to afford the time for sailing, furthermore you won't have choice as to when it takes place.
Alternatively get a French transporter to take you as a return load to laRochelle.
In 2007 the quoted price for the latter was c €150/m for a 10m + boat.

You'll probably find hiring a delivery skipper to be the least expensive.

As there are few boatbuilders in N France, your chances of a return load are small, but return loads are usually well under 40% of paying one way.

 

[charles_reed]

Thanks for that, I was guessing it would be around the £5K mark, think it may be worth doing as the strong Pound against the Euro is making a good few yachts look quite attractive pricewise!

I fear you've missed the "strong" pound and, by the time you've costed the commercial prices for the trip, you'll find it far more cost-effective to buy in the UK.

Incidentally, Tranona did make the point that his was as a return load - if you are going to dictate times and destinations you'll find costs are far higher than he quoted.

 

[Tranona]

Thanks for your reply, I have seen that VAT is not payable on services outside the UK when using a UK based haulier, not sure how true that is though I'd have to look into it.

Not true. The transaction takes place in the location of the haulier so VAT is payable there. In UK if UK haulier, France if French.

 

[Tranona]

I fear you've missed the "strong" pound and, by the time you've costed the commercial prices for the trip, you'll find it far more cost-effective to buy in the UK.

Incidentally, Tranona did make the point that his was as a return load - if you are going to dictate times and destinations you'll find costs are far higher than he quoted.

Actually not a return load, but it was 5 years ago and I had some quotes 50% higher. Always depends on how hungry the haulier is at the time.

 

[seanfoster]

Not true. The transaction takes place in the location of the haulier so VAT is payable there. In UK if UK haulier, France if French.

I thought it sounded a bit too good to be true!