HOW TO PREPARE YOUR BOAT FOR TRANSPORT
OUR GUIDELINES ON BOAT PREPARATION
We know this is a long piece to read through, but it really is important that you do so. If you don’t prepare your boat for transport properly, we will not take responsibility for any damage caused to it through not following our guidelines and advice.
When we arrive to collect your boat, we are there to transport it, and our duties are based around loading, transporting it safely and delivering to the destination. The lifting on and off of our trailers is done by somebody that you have appointed for this job, and whilst we can give them our requirements and any guidance with regards to position on the trailer, the process of lifting the boat is the responsibility of the lifting company.
As an outline for our preparation guide, picture what is about to happen …. Your boat is going to be sitting in 56mph winds on a “choppy sea” for the next little while – so think…. “Is the deck as clear as I can make it? Is everything secured for a hurricane?” If the answer is yes, then there’s a good chance you’ve looked at all these points!
Are there any ropes, fenders, cushions, boat-hooks and loose items on deck? If so, these must be stowed below deck or in a secure locker.
Have you got an anchor? If so is it secured to the boat so that it cannot move? The chain on its own is not enough!
Are all the hatches and windows secured? This includes all lockers and access hatches – in particular, if there is an access hatch to a flybridge, these can be particularly vulnerable. This also includes any solid canopies that there may be – are these fixed to the boat with substantial fixings? Does it need straps going over the top to prevent it being lifted and damaging or breaking the supports?
Have you left any canvas out? Canvas, even on a speedboat, is vulnerable to damage when being towed at motorway speeds. We ask that all canvas is removed and stowed below decks or in a locker. If this leaves an empty frame for an awning, this will need to be removed or secured as well.
Are there any deck-cushions? Even if these are secured by poppers and Velcro for travel at sea, this is unlikely to be enough to secure them for road transport. If you take them off and stow them below, they will definitely be safe – if you leave them on deck, then they are at risk of being blown off which could result in their loss, or worse an accident.
Do you have a radar? This should be removed and placed on the floor in the cabin.
All canvas and fenders removed. Also propellers removed for transport.
Flybridge windscreens should be removed and stowed safely to avoid possible tree and stone damage. You may choose to leave these on, so long as they do not make the height of the load too great for the countries being travelled in, but if you do, we cannot take responsibility for them.
Is there anything else standing above the main structure of the boat? Light masts and aerials should be lowered and secured. Any wind generators also need to be lowered and secured.
Are there any flammable or hazardous materials on board? If so, these must be removed.
Is water and fuel OK in the boat’s tanks? Ideally, water and fuel tanks should be emptied, as should the bilges. This stops the liquids from “sloshing” about and changing the balance of the load (it also prevents the bilges emptying in to the convertible car stopped next to us at traffic lights). Also, gas bottles should be turned off and batteries isolated.
Can you take my dinghy and outboard too? Yes, is the simple answer. Ideally these should be stowed below and not on Davits hanging at the back of the boat. If they are secured on deck, please ensure that they cannot lift at all and that they have adequate securing. Please be careful that this doesn’t increase the height of the vessel too much.
We always measure the height of our loads – that’s one of our responsibilities for avoiding bridge strikes. There are rare occasions when we may require the radar arch, the propellers or even the rudders to be removed. If this is the case for your boat, we will try to pre-warn you, but it is, ultimately, your responsibility to remove (or have removed) any items that we require in order to get the load below the maximum running height for all the countries we are travelling through. We don’t ever ask this lightly, and always try our best to avoid these requests.
What about my outdrives or outboards? It is best if these are lifted to maximum. Many outboards have a support designed for transport – if yours do, we suggest you use it for the purpose for which it was designed.
Outboards and stern drives lifted
SAILING BOATS
Is your boat a sailing boat? If it is, it goes without saying that you will need to have the mast taken down and prepared for transport.
There are advantages to carrying the mast on deck – You can leave the rigging, spreaders and radar reflector attached SO LONG as this doesn’t increase the height of the load above the maximum running height for each country being visited. Make sure it is securely strapped at both bow and stern of your boat. It doesn’t hurt to add another securing centrally on the boat, as well.
If you choose this option please follow the following words of advice:
Remove the mast-head light fitting and stow it down below, the same with any wind instruments – they have a habit of falling off in transit. Also, while at the top of the mast, mount the VHF aerial upside down on its bracket = this is usually a simple job and helps protect it.
Regularly along the length of the mast tie all the rigging and lines around the mast to stop them rattling or working loose and becoming a hazard to other road users.
Support the middle of the mast with a fender or something similar, but make sure that is tied on and can’t fall from the boat.
Put a short tie-down from each of the spreaders to help steady the mast and prevent it from rotating.
Ensure that all halyards and rigging at the foot of the mast are secure and can’t come loose and fall to the road. In particular, bottle screws have a habit of rattling loose as you drive along, so these should all be removed and stowed either below deck or in a secure locker.
Rigging and lines secured so they can't fall on the mast and cause damage.
2. There are advantages to carrying the mast below the boat – it keeps the height lower and we are responsible for securing it to the trailer
If you choose this option, the mast will need to be completely stripped, including the radar dome, spreaders, lights wind instruments antennae etc, and items removed stowed below decks. Again, anything that could dangle from the mast and trail on the ground could cause extensive damage to your boat and other road users!
A mast carried below the boat with spreaders detatched and folded against the mast. All rigging and lines secured tightly to the mast at frequent intervals.
3. The boom and spinnaker pole are best stowed below, with the ends wedged in place by sails or cushions to prevent them rolling around or moving forwards and causing damage. Spinnaker poles can often be stowed securely on deck, if necessary, but it’s surprisingly difficult to secure the main boom on deck so that it can’t move around, and there is the risk of reefing lines falling to the road as well.
Throughout this guide, we’ve suggested that all loose items be put below decks, and haven’t yet mentioned stowage below. Everything below deck is your responsibility, so, as we said at the top, imagine you’re heading into a storm and prepare for that – don’t leave your favorite mug on the chart-table – it will fall and break and we will not accept responsibility for this. This goes for everything else below. Make sure it is packed safely and can’t move.
If the boat is leaving or entering the UK, then appropriate customs paperwork is required. We can help by pointing you in the direction of a customs agent, but we do not involve ourselves with this in any way, apart from supplying the required information regarding the routing and vehicles.
If you have any questions or need any further advice, please just ask – you can call us on 01590 452055 or 01752 687700 or email info@boat-transportation.co.uk
Rest assured, the most important thing to us is that your boat is delivered safely!