Shipping to the Canaries

[Wetfoot]

As an old guy long past sailing from the UK south coast to the Canaries I still want to base my old thirty footer in the sunshine where she would be used as a sometimes liveaboard and for the occasional potter round the bay.

Employing a crew to sail her seems like an expensive option (including an overkill refit just to be on the safe side) and if traversing Europe by road then there still remains the trip from Gib or some such port. Has anyone experience or knowledge of shipping out there and the likely costs involved? Any other observations and suggestions would be welcome.

John

 

[KAPTAN]

Shipping to Canaries

In Las Palmas marina, there is a beautiful sloop, SSR register, under 30ft. She is called "GALLOPER". I have done the trip from GIB to the Canaries twice in 411 and 50 with strong crews, easy great trips. It is more than likely that some hero single handed GALLOPER to Gran Canaria but like you I am not up to the trip.
So sell your UK 30 footer and buy something similar in the Canaries as a liveboard for pottering about.
I am doing the same but first I must sell my MIRAGE 28 to fund its replacement in the Canaries.
Alternatively we could team up and move one boat at a time to WINTER SUNSHINE.
Various posts have mentioned that a berth in the Canaries is advisable before you set ot on the trip south

 

[AndrewB]

Welcome to the forum.

To the best of my knowledge the Canary Islands are not a destination for any major yacht shipping company, though it would be worth checking by contacting some, such as Peters & May, Dockwise or SevenStar. General purpose shippers will only be interested if the yacht can be transported in a container, but that might be practicable for one your size. Taking a yacht as deck cargo is now unusual. As a very general idea about cost, a friend was quoted £12,000 for a 36' yacht from UK to Caribbean a year ago.

Your best bet is a professional yacht deliverer who will sail the yacht there. These guys do not use large crews, in fact sometimes other crew are only taken at their own expense, so the cost is generally favourable in comparison with having a yacht shipped. Of course the yacht must be seaworthy and equipped for such a passage, with special attention to the engine.

Deliverers advertise in YM and similar mags, and it would be well worth while making a preliminary enquiry with one or two. Word-of-mouth recommendation is always best - you might try asking further here.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

As an old guy long past sailing from the UK south coast to the Canaries I still want to base my old thirty footer in the sunshine where she would be used as a sometimes liveaboard and for the occasional potter round the bay.

Employing a crew to sail her seems like an expensive option (including an overkill refit just to be on the safe side) and if traversing Europe by road then there still remains the trip from Gib or some such port. Has anyone experience or knowledge of shipping out there and the likely costs involved? Any other observations and suggestions would be welcome.

John

Hi John,

Perhaps I am biased, but I would suggest having her sailed there would be your best option. You tend to get favourable conditions going south, and it would be much cheaper than shipping.

If you want to drop me an email or call me then I would be happy to advise on cost and discuss options. The yacht would need to be sound and have all the usual safety equipment - other than that though a refit should not be needed... If you are concerned about the age or condition of the engine or systems then we could also provide an engineer to join as crew.

All the best,

Pete