What is boat transport by road?
Road transport, or boat haulage, means your boat travels on a lorry, low-loader or trailer. It is the usual way to move trailer boats, RIBs and small keelboats, boats going to or from inland sites, and boats that are ashore at both ends. It is also used for larger yachts when a sea passage isn't practical, or the boat has to arrive on a fixed date.
What's involved
- Lift out by crane or travel hoist, unless the boat is already on a trailer or cradle.
- Preparation: unstepping the mast, securing the rig and removing loose items.
- Loading and securing on a suitable trailer, with supports or a cradle.
- The journey, including any police notification, permits or escorts for wide loads.
- Unloading and lift in at the destination, and restepping the mast.
Some hauliers handle all of this. Others only do the haulage and leave lifting and mast work to the yards at each end. Quotes vary a lot in what they include, so check before comparing.
What affects the cost
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Size and weight | Decide the vehicle needed, from a towed trailer to a specialist low-loader |
| Beam and height | Wide or high loads need notice, permits, escorts and careful route planning |
| Distance and route | Longer trips cost more; return loads can bring the price down |
| Lifts and mast work | Lift out, lift in, unstepping and restepping are often charged separately |
| Insurance | Goods in transit cover should match your boat's value |
Wide loads, permits and escorts
UK lorries are normally up to 2.55m wide, so many yachts are wider than the vehicle carrying them. Loads over 2.9m wide need the police notifying two working days ahead. Over 5m also needs a VR1 application to National Highways at least two weeks ahead, and over 6.1m needs a special order, applied for about 10 weeks ahead. Wide loads may need attendants or escorts and can be restricted to certain times and routes. Abroad the rules differ: in France, for example, a boat 3 to 3.5m wide needs an escort vehicle.
How long it takes
Most UK moves are one or two days on the road. Lead times are usually longer than the journey: allow one to three weeks for a straightforward move, more for wide loads or moves abroad, and book early for spring when hauliers are busiest.
Which boats suit road transport?
- Trailer boats, RIBs, dinghies, jet skis and small powerboats.
- Small and medium keelboats and yachts, particularly under about 3m beam.
- Boats going inland, to lakes, to a yard or for storage.
- Boats that are not seaworthy, or must arrive by a fixed date.
For a seaworthy yacht moving along the coast, a sea delivery is often cheaper and needs no lifts. Wide catamarans are often better by sea too.
How to prepare your boat
- Measure the length, beam and height on the trailer or cradle, and know the weight.
- Book the lift out and lift in, and agree times with the haulier.
- Unstep the mast and secure the rig, or book a rigger.
- Remove or tie down canopies, covers, aerials and loose gear.
- Isolate batteries and follow any instructions on fuel and water.
- Photograph the boat before loading.
How it works on BoatMove
- Describe the move. Your boat's dimensions and weight, the pick-up and delivery points, and your dates. Free, with no obligation.
- Vetted partners quote. Hauliers approved for road transport send you quotes with the price, timing and what's included.
- Compare and choose. Compare quotes side by side and accept the one you want.
Every partner is approved by a person for each service they offer, and road partners' goods in transit insurance is checked before approval.