Transporting a Boat from UK to Canaries ?

[STILL AFLOAT]

Hi All.

I was thinking of buying a 1972 Broom 37 Continental , here in the UK and motoring it down to the Canaries.
I spoke to a friend, who is a Yachtmaster Examiner, and he told me, he had delivered one, around the UK coast, and he flat out said, do not go offshore in that boat !

So, I then turned to transport companies, with impressive pics, of boats of all sizes, loaded into a larger vessel
The first company I called, said oh 12 ft, thats too wide for me !

The second company asked if I had a trailer ? or would I build a cradle ? Because they do not bring them back !
Sorry, but if your so called speciality, is boats, surely you have modular cradles, that are made up to fit the vessels you are being paid to transport ?

Anyway, at the moment I am waiting for a third company to call me back.

Does anyone have any helpful information, about transporting a boat to the Canaries ?

Thanks

 

[Pump-Out]

Call Interboat
http://www.interboat-transport.com/

 

[Bobc]

Why not just buy a boat out there?

 

[STILL AFLOAT]

Why not just buy a boat out there?

Because there is nothing suitable, there at the moment. Yes there are loads of open cockpit, fishing style boats, and strange modern designs that look like spaceships, with no practical means of getting around the deck etc.

 

[Tranona]

Because there is nothing suitable, there at the moment. Yes there are loads of open cockpit, fishing style boats, and strange modern designs that look like spaceships, with no practical means of getting around the deck etc.

There is, of course a sound reason for that. The boat you are thinking of buying is not considered by most people as being in the least bit suitable for use in the Canaries - that is why you don't see them there. You are a brave man thinking of taking a near 50 year old boat designed for a particular environment to another less forgiving one just as your friend in the first post says!

Anyway the UK Canary Isles is not a regular transport route for boats so it will almost certainly be by general cargo ship and yes you will have to comply with the shipper's requirements and build your own one off cradle. Be prepared for a bill that is likely to be a significant part of the boat's value. Try Peters and May who are specialists in deep sea shipping of boats.

 

[Frogmogman]

Why not just buy a boat out there?

There must be some boats in the Canaries going cheep.

 

[pvb]

The boat you are thinking of buying is not considered by most people as being in the least bit suitable for use in the Canaries - that is why you don't see them there.

Have to agree, it's a very odd choice for the weather conditions in the Canaries. Much better suited to the Norfolk Broads, where most of them seem to live.

 

[pvb]

There must be some boats in the Canaries going cheep.

Taxi for Mr Frogmogman....

 

[alant]

Hi All.

I was thinking of buying a 1972 Broom 37 Continental , here in the UK and motoring it down to the Canaries.
I spoke to a friend, who is a Yachtmaster Examiner, and he told me, he had delivered one, around the UK coast, and he flat out said, do not go offshore in that boat !

So, I then turned to transport companies, with impressive pics, of boats of all sizes, loaded into a larger vessel
The first company I called, said oh 12 ft, thats too wide for me !

The second company asked if I had a trailer ? or would I build a cradle ? Because they do not bring them back !
Sorry, but if your so called speciality, is boats, surely you have modular cradles, that are made up to fit the vessels you are being paid to transport ?

Anyway, at the moment I am waiting for a third company to call me back.

Does anyone have any helpful information, about transporting a boat to the Canaries ?

Thanks

Coast2Coast, have just transported a boat to Africa, so try them.

 

[capnsensible]

I live and sail round the Canaries now. Don't reckon much to that choice of boat for the islands, really. Some sheltered spots but will pretty much limit where you can go. Much as others have said.

What island are you thinking of? I will straight away say my mate has a Brokers in Lanzarote and I'm involved with the yacht stuff from time to time, but if you want some advice he is a motor boat man, been here 11 years and knows the market.
Also import duties and other taxes unique to Canaries.

www.canaryachtbrokers.com

Apologies if this is advertising!

 

[STILL AFLOAT]

Thanks for all your responses.
I allready have a sailboat, in Las Palmas, but Im getting old n stiff, and clambering over the bow, with shopping etc, is getting difficult.
All the finger pontoons have gone, so the marina can cram more boats, on a pontoon.
I am not sure of the legality of that, in the insurance regs, but the Canaries have done it anyway.
I was not thinking of going anywhere, I was looking for a cheap home in the sun, and never anticipated such difficulty, in getting a boat there.
I have never had a motor boat before, but the layout on that particular example of a 37 Continental, has a great live aboard interior, and not often seen, with a center mounted double bed, as opposed to a double stuck off to one side, and a single bunk on the oposite side.
When I did my first North Atlantic circuit, there was no GPS, just Sextant and RDF, but now, just being able to just step on & off, would be nice.

Coast 2 Coast, seem more orientated towards putting the boat on a flatbed trailer and going by road, and the Canaries do not seem to be on their list.
Initially I was quoted at 12 - 15000 Gbp, from the company that is supposed to contact me tomorrow, and they supply their own cradles.

If I do not get a positive reply tomorrow, then I will just have to forget it, and as said, wait until something turns up, in the Canaries.

 

[Iminei]

When I did my first North Atlantic circuit, there was no GPS, just Sextant and RDF, but now, just being able to just step on & off, would be nice.

I hope you get sorted & enjoy many years in the sun. :encouragement:

 

[STILL AFLOAT]

I hope you get sorted & enjoy many years in the sun. :encouragement:

Thank you, for your understanding, and kind words !

 

[pvb]

I was not thinking of going anywhere, I was looking for a cheap home in the sun, and never anticipated such difficulty, in getting a boat there.

When you take marina fees, etc, into account, if you just want a cheap place to live there must be squillions of apartments you could buy much cheaper.

 

[Mister E]

If it getting on to the boat over the bow only, then would it be possible to get some sort of steps made that go on the boat and attach to the pontoon.
I am thinking of some sort of cradle that is quite wide supported on some pontoon floats that wraps around the bow.

 

[STILL AFLOAT]

If it getting on to the boat over the bow only, then would it be possible to get some sort of steps made that go on the boat and attach to the pontoon.
I am thinking of some sort of cradle that is quite wide supported on some pontoon floats that wraps around the bow.

Sorry, but that would not work. The Tidal Range in the Canaries, is about 3 meters
Sometimes, due to offshore storms, the Las Palmas Marina, suffers a very bad swell.
Unfortunately I am on one of the: bounce pontoons !
So, every time the waves hit the wall. they bounce back and then surge our bows into the pontoon.
Yes, I have bought bow fenders etc, but it can still get violent !
Also, the actual pontoon side, is not very deep or wide, so you have to prepare your fenders , accordingly.

 

[STILL AFLOAT]

When you take marina fees, etc, into account, if you just want a cheap place to live there must be squillions of apartments you could buy much cheaper.

Sorry, but you have obviously not seen Las Palmas lately, but , if living in the red light district, with discarded needles in the hallway, is your kind of place, then yes , buy away !

 

[pvb]

Sorry, but you have obviously not seen Las Palmas lately, but , if living in the red light district, with discarded needles in the hallway, is your kind of place, then yes , buy away !

I didn't say you had to live in Las Palmas!

 

[PabloPicasso]

Yes. Don't go to sea except inshore in settled conditions. Crossing Biscay might be survivable, but maybe not.

 

[STILL AFLOAT]

Well, due to running into brick walls, at every turn, I have given up, on the idea, of trying to get that boat to Las Palmas.
Now, a friend of mine, wants the boat as a retirement home in the UK, So it worked out ok, in the end.
I will just have to keep looking in the islands.
Thanks for all your responses, they were all, taken into consideration, as I worked through the pros & cons.