Essential Insights on Transporting a Luxury Yacht
Article Title: Couple Chooses Boat Shipping Over Sailing Across the Sea
In August 2023, Terysa Vanderloo and her partner Nick took delivery of their 45ft Seawind catamaran named Ruby Rose 2 in Thailand. Faced with the decision of sailing across the sea or shipping the boat, they opted for the latter, a choice that proved to be a wise one.
Preparing Ruby Rose 2 for shipping involved securing and stowing everything, shutting down the boat, and taking precautions against damage from saltwater and dirt. A feeder line was advised to be attached to all halyards and run up the mast, with the ends of the halyard put in a sailbag to ensure no part was exposed to the elements.
The boat was then secured, and the ship's crew took over handling Ruby Rose 2 before two divers went over the side to position the lifting straps. The boat was craned onto the cargo ship and guided into position using long lines before being lowered onto the deck and secured in cradles.
Divers ensured the correct placement of lifting straps before the boat was loaded onto the ship. The authors chose Sevenstar as the shipping company for Ruby Rose 2, a decision that proved to be beneficial.
The costs of shipping Ruby Rose 2 to Europe, as reported by fellow cruisers, range from $85,000 to $93,000. These costs may vary depending on the shipping company and specific circumstances. It is advisable not to book onward travel until the boat is actually loaded onto the ship due to unforeseen and unavoidable delays in shipping schedules.
The authors experienced rust damage on almost every exposed surface of the boat, particularly the underside of the hull and the back of the boat. They are currently in the process of resolving the rust damage with the shipping company.
Initially, the authors planned to sail Ruby Rose 2 from Thailand to Europe, but the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East made sailing the Red Sea an unfeasible option. They considered sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, but decided against it due to the lengthy journey and specific passage requirements.
Upon arrival in Marmaris, Turkey, the boat was lowered back into the water, and the authors motored into Marmaris Bay to clean every exposed inch of the boat. The common costs for shipping a yacht from Asia to Europe typically range from about $3,000 to $5,000 for container shipping per 40-foot container, and around $3,300 to $4,000 per Forty-Foot Equivalent Unit (FEU) on ocean freight routes specifically from Asia to Northern Europe or the Mediterranean.
Several key factors impact these costs, including shipping method, size and volume of the yacht, port fees and customs, insurance, market fluctuations and seasonal demand, and transit time and routing. It is essential to consider these factors when budgeting for boat shipping.
In conclusion, shipping a yacht like Ruby Rose 2 can be an expensive endeavor, but it can save on wear and tear, additional equipment, and potential breakages compared to sailing. The final cost depends mostly on the yacht’s size, shipping method (container vs. RoRo), destination port charges, insurance level, and current freight market conditions.
Given the circumstances of avoiding conflict zones and the long journey of sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, Terysa Vanderloo and her partner Nick opted for shipping their catamaran, Ruby Rose 2, to Europe instead of sailing across the sea. Maintaining their desired lifestyle, they chose to travel via boat shipping, which proved beneficial in saving wear and tear, additional equipment, and potential breakages compared to sailing.
