BOAT TRANSPORT FAQs
Moving a boat can feel like a big job, but with the right preparation and an experienced transport team, the process is straightforward. Below you’ll find answers to the questions we’re most often asked — from costs and booking to lifting, preparation, insurance, and overseas transport. If you don’t see your question here, just get in touch, and we’ll be happy to help.
Why choose us for boat transport?
We offer a personal service - from the initial enquiry to the completion of the delivery, you will have a direct line of contact to Jeremy or Zoë to answer any query you may have. They are used to all the same worries and concerns that you may have as they move their family boat around on their trucks and trailers (not always with Jeremy driving) and so we understand the emotional side for you, the customer.
With decades of experience, South West Boat Transport has built up great expertise in moving the boats that we move, anything over 2700kg and up to 50 foot sailing and motorboats - but we know what we can do with our specialised trailers, and we will only quote for work that we know we can carry out to our very high standards.
Our personal service includes putting you in direct contact with our driver carrying out your delivery, and they will keep you updated with timings and can send photos via WhatsApp if you ask.
We pride ourselves with being boat owners ourselves, and excelling with the service we provide.
Boat Transport FAQs – Table of Contents
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How much does it cost to transport a boat?
What information do you need to provide a quote?
Boat Types, Sizes & Transport Capability
What size boat can you transport?
Can you transport both motorboats and sailing boats?
Booking & the Boat Transport Process
How does the boat transport process work from quote to delivery?
How quickly can you collect my boat?
How long does boat transport take?
Preparing Your Boat for Road Transport
How do I prepare my boat for transport?
Masts, Rigging & Onboard Items
Do I need to remove the mast before transport?
Can I leave belongings on board during transport?
Lifting, Access & Marina Arrangements
Do I need to arrange lifting on and off the trailer?
Do you book the lift with the marina or boatyard?
What access is required for collection and delivery?
Wide Loads, Permits & Legal Requirements
Do you handle wide load permits and escort vehicles?
Overseas Boat Transport & Paperwork
What paperwork is required to transport a boat from the UK to Europe?
What areas do we cover?
Is my boat insured during transport?
Can you arrange full value insurance?
Are you a family-run boat transport company?
Boat Transport Costs & Quotes
How much does it cost to transport a boat?
The cost of moving a boat depends on many things — how long it is, how wide it is, and where it’s going from and to. That’s why we offer a fast, free quotation. Just follow the link and fill in a quotation request, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with a firm price for your specific move.
What information do you need to provide a quote?
To allow us to give you an accurate quote, we need as much information as you are able to provide. The type of boat (Make and model) is particularly useful as this will tell us the dimensions and allow us to find images showing hull and cabin shape, which in turn helps us to identify which of our trailers we would use and also allows us to advise you if there are any specific requirements for you when you are preparing your boat for transport.
Also, knowing the exact collection and delivery points is pretty important - it might sound obvious but a common request might be "from Plymouth to Southampton", however, this might mean from one of the marinas in Plymouth, say Queen Anne Battery to Drivers Dry Berthing in Southampton. Equally, it might mean from Torpoint to Hamble - which would have different implications for costs, timings and accessibility.
Boat Types, Sizes & Transport Capability
What size boat can you transport?
We transport boats over 2,700kg (below this weight many boats can be towed by car or van). Our specialised trailers can carry vessels up to 50 feet in length and up to 25 tonnes.
Can you transport both motorboats and sailing boats?
Yes. Our fully adjustable, specialised boat trailers are designed to safely support and transport all types of motorboats and sailing boats.
Booking & the Boat Transport Process
How does the boat transport process work from quote to delivery?
Once you accept our free quote, we make a provisional booking by phone or email and agree a collection date and delivery schedule.
A 50% payment confirms the booking, with the balance payable on the day of collection.
On the day of collection, we aim to be at the collection point in plenty of time to safely load your boat onto our trailer. You don’t need to be there on the day, but you are, of course, more than welcome to come and watch!
During the loading process, we properly support and secure your boat, then make sure all fenders, mooring lines and any missed cushions and other loose items are either stowed below or in lockers.
Before we leave, we take photos of the boat loaded on our trailer. If you like, we can send you a couple of pictures.
After departure, we stop within the first hour to recheck the load and continue inspections throughout the journey.
We contact the delivery location either the night before or about an hour prior to arrival to coordinate unloading.
We are always happy to keep you informed of progress and of our ETA — just let us know and we’ll tell you.
How quickly can you collect my boat?
Usually, we have a lead time of about 2 weeks, but we can often respond quicker than that if we are in the area – if you need a boat moving sooner rather than later, give us a call and we’ll do our best to meet your needs.
How long does boat transport take?
When we make your booking, we will usually agree a delivery time with you – but it makes sense for everyone that it is as soon as we can after collecting your boat!
We usually allow 2 hours for loading and about an hour for unloading – these are rough guides for planning. After that, it’s down to driving time, road conditions, ferry times and of course, the very strict regulations upon which driving hours, working time and rest periods are set.
Preparing Your Boat for Road Transport
How do I prepare my boat for transport?
We will take our utmost care of your boat when transporting it from one place to another, but for us to load it safely and properly, we do look for you to have prepared for the journey, much as you would if you were going to sea in rough weather.
Here's a link to our boat preparation guide, “How to prepare your boat for transport”.
Masts, Rigging & Onboard Items
Do I need to remove the mast before transport?
Yes. Taking down a mast is a task carried out by boatyards and riggers across the country. It’s a skill set that they have and requires specialist equipment that we don’t carry.
Once taken down, there is a choice for how to transport it — whether it travels on the top of the boat or below it. Either way, we need all bottle-screws removed (as they can rattle free during transport) and all rigging and lines secured tightly to the mast along the full length (please see our guide How to prepare your boat for transport).
Can I leave belongings on board during transport?
At your own risk, you may leave personal belongings on board, but all hazardous materials, such as white spirit or paint, should be removed.
A small amount of fuel in properly fitted and secured fuel tanks is allowed, but no loose cans. Gas bottles should be turned off at the valve on top of the bottle and electricity at the main battery switch.
Lifting, Access & Marina Arrangements
Do I need to arrange lifting on and off the trailer?
Yes — most marinas and boatyards have specialised boat lifting equipment, either cranes or travel hoists, and will, for a small charge, lift your boat onto our trailer and enable us to build up the supports around your boat to safely support it on its onward journey.
Do you book the lift with the marina or boatyard?
As the boat is yours, for security reasons, the boatyards will not take our instruction to lift a boat onto transport. So, whilst we are happy to liaise with lifting teams regarding timings, we are unable to book the lift on or off for you.
What access is required for collection and delivery?
We solely use articulated lorries with specialised boat trailers to transport boats. This means that the access requirements are similar to other HGVs , a minimum width of 2.55m (8’4.5”) is needed and our trucks are 4m (13’1.5”) high – so trees and any over-head obstructions need to be over this height. Remember, when your boat is loaded onto one of our trailers, ready for transport, there is the combination of the loading height on the trailer, plus the draft of your boat, plus the height of your boat above the water-line, so that is the minimum height we need.
There needs to be adequate turning circles to manoeuvre into the loading/unloading area with suitable hard-standing all around – we won’t go onto grass for fear of getting bogged down – if we do get stuck because you’ve insisted the ground is firm, we will charge you any towing fees necessary to get us out again!
Wide Loads, Permits & Legal Requirements
Do you handle wide load permits and escort vehicles?
Yes. As part of your quote, we will include all permits and escorts as we can reasonably predict. Different police forces within the UK have different requirements, as do different countries throughout Europe, but we will ensure that we are running fully legally with your boat.
There are times when a Police force in the UK will take us by surprise and ask for additional escorts, or even a police escort. This is very rare and is found out after a notification to move a wide load is put in through the correct channels. If this happens, we will inform you of any additional charges at the earliest opportunity.
Overseas Boat Transport & Paperwork
What paperwork is required to transport a boat from the UK to Europe?
Since the UK left the EU, all transport of goods into Europe requires export and import paperwork. This is not in our skill-set and we recommend that you use an agent to prepare your documents. We can recommend a choice of agents to you.
What areas do we cover?
We provide professional boat transport services throughout the UK and Europe, including Scandinavia.
Insurance & About Our Company
Is my boat insured during transport?
Yes — please refer to our Terms & Conditions for full insurance details.
Can you arrange full value insurance?
Yes – we can now offer full value insurance up to an agreed maximum of £350,000. In order to fully understand what we can offer, please either give us a call or follow the link to our Terms & Conditions which, in turn, has a link to a summary of conditions.
Are you a family-run boat transport company?
Yes, at South West Boat Transport, we give a personal, bespoke service. You will deal directly with Jeremy and Zoe throughout the booking process, and they take responsibility for all the arrangements agreed. They are available to talk to at any point in the whole process and are there should there be any questions relating to the move.
South West Boat Transport Ltd was established in 2005 and since then has gone from strength to strength. The company underwent re-structuring in 2025, splitting in half with boats over 2700kg being moved by South West Boat Transport, which became a trading name of Spiderline Logistics Ltd. This change was necessary as part of the re-structuring — the service and equipment remain at the highest standards. Smaller boats (2700kg and less) are now handled by a new company, UK Boat Transport Ltd.