A Guide to…Boat and Yacht Transport

Can I transport my yacht or boat on my own? How do I start? How can I get my boat delivered by transportation company? How much does it cost? What should I take care of before I proceed?

Looking for answers? Don’t worry! You’ll find them in this Guide to Boat and Yacht Transport

Source: www.haulingdepot.com

1. All hands on deck!

Remove all things from the deck (you won’t use them during the delivery anyway). The best way to deal with too much stuff is to put it in a trunk of your car. Bear in mind that your boat will be put a on a trailer, and if the load is not balanced in a proper way, the trailer might lose its stability and the driving part will surely…turn into a nightmare.

Secure elements overhanging from the hull together with all loose elements which might cause any damages. Close down all dampers, door and windows. Make sure there is no way for them to be opened during the delivery (you can secure them with a tape).

Turn off all electronic devices and secure all the cables. If you transport a sailing yacht, make sure to remove and roll up the sails.

2. S(e)ize the adventure

Dimensions provided by the manufacturer might be far from reality. Measure this pretty boat yourself. And here you can find how:

• length – from the bow to the center of a stern (take into account all extra elements)
• height – from the bottom to the highest irremovable part of the boat
• width – take the measurements in the widest points of the boat

Does size of the boat actually matter? We ask  Brożka Nowak, an experienced sailing expert, sailor, instructor and geographer.

The weight of the set is crucial. If the weight of the set exceeds 750 kg, you need driver’s license of E category. The load on trailer cannot exceed the limit defined in vehicle registration card. How can you actually weigh it? Follow our example – we took our set to coal yard. You can easily weight your truck there.

Oh! Do not even think about leaving the vehicle – all passengers should remain “on board” at that moment, as their weight is also calculated!

3. Find the perfect trailer and get your car ready!

Source: www.trailerbroker.com

Looking for a trailer? Match it with the weight of your boat. Add at least 250 kg to the total weight of your yacht! Why? When you’re going on a longer cruise, you need way more equipment. Apart from it, don’t forget to check the overrunning brake of your car. “If the car is borrowed, the driver needs a written authorization from car owner. A short note will be ok. Even if the car owner turns out to be your own spouse, you still need that note. This rule is strictly enforced and executed in EU countries.”

4. Roll up the sleeves and get things done

All paper work depends on the type of boat you want to get delivered. Make an effort to check what Highway Code says about your yacht’s dimensions and weight. This is where you can learn about all permits required.

One of the regulations allows the driver of B category to drive the set which doesn’t exceed 3500 kg. Another regulation says that if the trailer does not exceed 750 kg, we can add the load of 3500 kg – Brożka explains.

Bear in mind that if the total weight of set exceeds 3,5 t, you may need to pay extra fees for using the road system e.g. ViaTOLL in Poland.

The regulations regarding  Road Transport change as frequently as the weather does, so don’t forget to catch up! The rules vary in different countries. Planning a trip abroad? Check current regulations in destination country! Pay attention to allowed weight and other dimensions.

5. Hit the deck!

They way you load your boat up on a trailer depends on the equipment at your disposal. Your vehicle should be parked right next to the water tank, so the back wheels of the trailer might be actually immersed in the water.

Place the boat on the trailer. Be careful! Pay attention to wind and waves. Next, secure the boat, so it doesn’t swing at the time of delivery. Make sure that the tools you use are adapted to type of your yacht or boat. Empty the water tanks.

6. Drive safely

Choose hours and routes where no traffic is expected. Remember about the fishtailing – it may occur, when the load is not balanced properly.

Get your boat delivered by professionals

No time or no way for you to transport this pretty boat on your own? Get it delivered by transportation company. Professional transport provider is there to help you get all paper work done and get your boat delivered safe and sound. Delivery can be carried out by sea or overland, depending on the condition of your boat and other factors.

1. Find the right guy!

You can list your delivery at  Clicktrans.com. There are thousands of verified transport providers, among them you will find real experts on boat and yacht delivery!

2. Let them know your boat

What details might be helpful for the transport provider? We asked Marek from The Seven Seas:

What matters the most are the dimensions. They need to be as accurate as possible, especially the width, as the boats are usually wider than the regulations allow, so we need to hire an extra pilot.

You can take the measurements according to the rules presented in the first part of this Guide.

3. Required documents

It is all up to…the type of delivery.

“If the boat is transported by sea, we need a special boat permit. Let the transport provider know if the boat is insured and if all emergency equipment and navigation tools are on board. If you simply don’t have them, transportation company may provide you with their own equipment and tools, but they may also ask you to purchase what’s missing.  It is extremely important that your boat is supplied in an attested security appliance. Overland transport requires transport order. In some countries the boat ownership certificate might also be required.”, Marek Belniak explains.

Source: www.trailerbroker.com

Example of transatlantic cruise: moving yacht from Martinique to France (Port Leucate)

4. How much does it cost?

Delivery cost might vary, as boat and yacht prices do.

Small boat transportation cost starts from  0.5 EUR/km .

Bigger boats and yachts can be transported from  0.9 – 1.1 EUR/km .

Light boats (e.g. fishing boat) can be transported from 0.15 EUR/km.  Paddle boat transport cost is around 0.3 EUR/km.

Here are some examples:

Yacht transport cost: 

• Yacht from UK do Poland, weight: 1400 kg, distance 1700 km. Price: 800 EUR

• Yacht from Netherlands to Poland, weight: 3000 kg, distance: 874 km. Price: 750 EUR

Motorboat transport cost:

• Motorboat from Netherlands to Poland, 915 cm 315cm 270cm, weight: 4100 kg. Price: 910 EUR

• Motorboat from Germany Saarland – Gersheim do Germany, Berlin, distance 723 km, weight 2500 kg. Price 570 EUR

• Motorboat from Spain do Poland, weight 3000 kg, distantce 2400 km. Price: 2300 EUR

And how do you transport your boat? Are you an “i’m-going-to-do-it-on-my-own” type or do you hire professionals to get it delivered for you?

Get your yacht or boat delivered by transport provider:

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