Are you thinking of exploring faraway places on your yacht? Is there a yacht race you have always wanted to enter but didn’t as it was on the other side of the world? Or maybe, your yacht is currently moored in the Caribbean and you want to cruise the Mediterranean without having to sail the Atlantic first. Are you a yacht charter company looking to move its yachts across the world?
If any of the above apply to you, employing a boat shipping company could be the solution for you. Choosing the right shipping company to meet your needs can be difficult, especially if it is your first time Don’t worry, we are here to help. Here are our top tips that should guide you in the right direction.
Define the Yacht Transport Route
The first thing to decide is whether you really need to hire a shipping company. Perhaps you only want to move your yacht a short distance, perhaps to a neighbouring country. If your yacht is reasonably small, you might want to choose a road haulage company as this would make economic sense. If you want to move it along the coast, you could hire a skipper to sail your yacht. However, if it’s long distance, overnight mooring fees will be incurred, and this will put up the cost.
If you have a larger yacht or want to move your boat a greater distance, say from Croatia or Greece to the Far East, we recommend that you use a boat shipping company.
Get the Exact Information About your Yacht
This is very important as even if you deviate by as little as a few centimetres, it can cause problems that may incur extra charges.
Let the company know if there are any protruding objects on your yacht such as radar arches or aerials. Check your existing insurance to verify what is covered during the transportation of your yacht.
Research for Offer
Shop around when looking for the best shipping company for you. Don’t necessarily go with the first company you find. Discuss your needs in detail and ensure the quotes take everything into consideration. There are many factors you need to consider. The first is, of course, the price. The cheapest option is not always the best option. You will need to delve deeper into what the company’s price truly offers you. Is the insurance adequate? Has the company decided on a longer route to your destination as a means to incur costs? Is the timescale for delivery suitable for your needs? If you need your yacht to be delivered on a certain date, does the company offer one-off sailings? Perhaps make a list of pros and cons and see which company comes out on top.
It is also important to check that all costs have been accounted for in the quotes. For example, are the costs for customs clearance included? Are there any additional handling charges in any of the ports? If the yacht has to be transported from land to water, is this included? Discuss this with the boat shipping companies. Reputable companies will be honest and give you a detailed breakdown of what is included and if there will be any extras.
It is a good idea to investigate the companies you are considering. Look at their websites. How long have they been operating? Do they have a global network? What is their customer service like? Send them an email and see how long it takes them to respond and if they answer your questions. Do they take their time with you, or do they rush you into a decision? See if there are reviews from other clients. Are there any legal claims against them?
Check Everything Again
It is important to check your contract with the boat shipping company before you accept. Does it include everything with no hidden costs? Is the insurance adequate? You don’t want to be presented with a bill you weren’t expecting.
If you are unsure about anything, ask questions. Transporting your yacht is a big deal and you want to be sure that it arrives in one piece and that it isn’t costing you more than you think it should.
If the company asks you lots of questions about your yacht, you should feel reassured. They need to know every single detail about your vessel so they can transport it safely. If the loadmaster knows what he will be loading in good time, they will be better prepared.
Peters & May
Global transport and logistics expert, Peters and May have 50 years of experience in delivering world-class international logistics services. With its headquarters based in Southampton, UK, it now has 10 offices globally. It specialises in the global shipment of commercial and private vessels, as well as offering transport solutions for a wide range of cargo by air, land, and sea.
Peters & May have the experts in place to help guide you through the whole process of transporting your yacht, making the process as simple and easy as possible. From the enquiry forms requiring your yacht-specific information, to arranging the most appropriate insurance. Its loadmasters have industry-approved qualifications and work closely with the technical support team during the loading and discharging.
If you want to transport yachts for a race, Peters & May has a racing team who will ensure that yachts, spares, and other equipment are delivered securely and in good time for the race.
Transatlantic routes, as well as Northern Europe to the Mediterranean, have traditionally been, and remain to be, very busy routes. Peters and May also ship from one Mediterranean port to another. In recent years, the Middle East and the Far East have been added to their list of scheduled services. In addition, they offer one-off sailings to any port in the world.
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Author: Irena Nieslony
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Peters & May Limited
Unit 9 Goodwood Road, Eastleigh, Southampton
United Kingdom, SO50 4NT
+44 (0)2380 480 480
info@petersandmay.com
