The short answer
For most moves within the UK and Europe, sailing is cheaper. A skippered delivery from the south coast of England to Spain typically costs £5,400 to £6,600 for skipper and crew plus expenses, while shipping a similar yacht usually costs more.
On long ocean routes the gap closes, and shipping can win once fuel, flights, wear and time are counted, especially for motor yachts.
How the two compare
| Sail it | Ship it | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Skipper and crew fee, from real deliveries (see below) | Quote-based, per yacht |
| Extras | Fuel, marinas, food and crew flights home | Getting to and from the ports, cradle, port charges |
| What drives it | Distance, boat type, day rate, weather days, fuel | Length and beam, route, sailing date, what's included |
| Not in the price | Wear and tear, engine hours, time at sea | Waiting for the sailing date |
On short and medium routes, sailing usually comes out cheaper. On ocean routes, once fuel, flights and wear are added to the delivery, the two can be close enough that time and convenience decide it.
What real deliveries cost by distance
For comparison, real skippered delivery fees in 2025–26, before expenses:
- 250 to 450nm, e.g. the Solent to Ireland: £1,800 to £2,750.
- 1,000 to 1,700nm, e.g. the Solent to Gibraltar or Spain: £5,400 to £6,600.
- 1,700 to 3,000nm, e.g. the Canaries to the Caribbean: £6,650 to £9,400.
- Ocean crossings over 3,000nm: £9,600 to £15,800.
Shipping prices are quoted per yacht, so there is no equivalent table: the price depends on the yacht's size, the route, the sailing date and what's included. See yacht shipping cost.
When sailing wins
- Coastal and short-sea moves around the UK and Europe.
- Seaworthy sailing yachts, which use little fuel.
- Routes with no convenient shipping schedule.
- Owners who are flexible on dates and want the boat delivered to the berth, not to a commercial port.
When shipping wins
- Ocean routes, especially against the prevailing winds.
- Motor yachts, where fuel for a long passage can cost thousands of pounds.
- Boats without the range, equipment or stability for an offshore passage.
- New or high-value yachts where avoiding sea miles and engine hours matters.
- Tight deadlines that fit a scheduled sailing.
Hidden costs to include
Sailing
- Expenses: fuel, marinas, food, crew travel. Motor yacht fuel can exceed the delivery fee.
- Wear: engine hours, sails, rigging, antifouling.
- Repairs found on passage.
- Weather days, which may add to the fee if the skipper is waiting.
Shipping
- Delivering the yacht to the load port and collecting it at the other end.
- Cradle, if it isn't included.
- Port, handling and customs charges.
- Mast work if the yacht can't ship with its rig up.
- Berthing while waiting for the ship.
The best way to decide
Get quotes for both. On BoatMove you can request a sea delivery and yacht shipping for the same move, then compare the full cost, timing and what's included.