Transporting a boat from eastern England to SW Ireland

[Old Thady]

I've done a lot of dinghy sailing but am new to keelboats. There's a boat I'd really like to buy in Norfolk (a 26 ft fin keeler). I want to have her in SW Ireland but I lack the time and expertise to sail to her new base. Also, the boat isn't fully equipped for such a voyage and I'd like to build up the inventory slowly (and economically) rather than having to go and buy everything under pressure of time.

I've already though of the obvious solution: buying a boat locally. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find the thing I want at the right price here.

Does anyone know what it would cost to have the boat transported on a lorry? As far as I know there is no trailer or cradle. Perhaps I could have her trucked as far as Cornwall or western Wales and then get help to sail the last bit?
The boat isn't that big. Maybe there are people with 4WDs and flexible trailers who do this sort of thing.

Any suggestions? I don't need the boat in Ireland until next summer.

 

[macnorton]

Give Deeping Direct a call..

http://www.deepingdirect.com/crane_vehicles.htm

 

[Tranona]

First place to ask is the boatyard where you are buying (if it is in a yard) as they will know the local transport companies. at that size boat you may well be able to use a towed trailer, or with a cradle a flatbed with a HIAB crane. May also be worth enquiring your end as almost certainly it will be a one way - that is unlikely to have a return load.

If you google Boat Transport you will get a whole load of firms to contact and it is then a question of phoning or email to see what they can offer. You will need details of boat - length, height, weight. Do not be surprised if the quotes come back in the £3k+ range, and don't forget craning each end.

 

[Bobc]

Don't bother. It'll work out cheaper to buy one in Ireland.

 

[dylanwinter]

I asked about shfting

Don't bother. It'll work out cheaper to buy one in Ireland.

I asked about shifting a westerly Pageant - bilge keel 23 foot from west to east - no ferries, bilge keeler, no cradle needed

it was around £1200

so buy local or spend some money on it before sailing it around yourself

D

 

[mrming]

We went through this last year, but going the opposite way. We bought our boat in Dublin and brought it to the east coast of the UK. Like the OP there simply weren't any examples of the model we wanted for sale in the UK.

Fortunately the boat came with a road trailer which we had refurbished locally to bring it up to UK spec. My dad who lives in Dublin then put the boat on the Dublin Port to Liverpool ferry as freight (which cost around £300). We rented a 4x4 and picked it up at the other end.

By the time we did up the trailer, rented a Land Rover, put diesel in it, paid for the freight and spent a night in a hotel in Liverpool, I reckon it cost us in the region of £1150. So if you can get hold of a suitable trailer you may be able to save a bit.

I also looked at some boats in Ireland without road trailers, and the quotes I got for transport were in the region of £3k as stated above.

 

[duncan99210]

You might try seeing if there's a delivery skipper out there who'd be prepared to sail it for you. Google and see what comes up. We were charged £400 plus expenses IIRC to move Rampage from the Hamble to the Menai.

 

[C08]

I bought my current boat from Eire E coast and it was 2/3 the going rate in UK, a friend also bought his boat from N Ireland and that was also very cheap. I have always thought that since the irish economy turned down that boats were good value in Eire/N ireland compared to uk, particularly UK south. If you do not need a boat in Eire before next year you have plenty of time to source a bargain!

 

[Slowtack]

Try this guy........
http://www.whitten.ie/news?Id=2

 

[Dino]

Thady,
What type of boat are you looking for?

 

[ripvan1]

Try Tony at www.tonytugboat.com

Only used him the one time but very reasonable and prompt service

 

[ralf2]

I've done a lot of dinghy sailing but am new to keelboats. There's a boat I'd really like to buy in Norfolk (a 26 ft fin keeler). I want to have her in SW Ireland but I lack the time and expertise to sail to her new base. Also, the boat isn't fully equipped for such a voyage and I'd like to build up the inventory slowly (and economically) rather than having to go and buy everything under pressure of time.

I've already though of the obvious solution: buying a boat locally. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find the thing I want at the right price here.

Does anyone know what it would cost to have the boat transported on a lorry? As far as I know there is no trailer or cradle. Perhaps I could have her trucked as far as Cornwall or western Wales and then get help to sail the last bit?
The boat isn't that big. Maybe there are people with 4WDs and flexible trailers who do this sort of thing.

Any suggestions? I don't need the boat in Ireland until next summer.

I've used a limerick haulier twice. Very very good service, he may well suit as a return load as most boats are going to the uk atm..I'll pm you in the morning when the phone is turned on.

 

[jasonmark]

We went through this last year, but going the opposite way. We bought our boat in Dublin and brought it to the east coast of the UK. Like the OP there simply weren't any examples of the model we wanted for sale in the UK.

Fortunately the boat came with a road trailer which we had refurbished locally to bring it up to UK spec. My dad who lives in Dublin then put the boat on the Dublin Port to Liverpool ferry as freight (which cost around £300). We rented a 4x4 and picked it up at the other end.

By the time we did up the trailer, rented a Land Rover, put diesel in it, paid for the freight and spent a night in a hotel in Liverpool, I reckon it cost us in the region of £1150. So if you can get hold of a suitable trailer you may be able to save a bit.

I also looked at some boats in Ireland without road trailers, and the quotes I got for transport were in the region of £3k as stated above.

I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here.

What type of boat are you looking for?

 

[Eyore]

. I have always thought that since the irish economy turned down that boats were good value in Eire/N ireland compared to uk, particularly UK south. If you do not need a boat in Eire before next year you have plenty of time to source a bargain!

You would have thought so, but no. Boats over here are generally overpriced and there would be a lack of choice that you get in the UK. Mind you I sold my last two boats to new owners in the Isle of Wight and Brittany, so coals to Newcastle.