Kayak Courier

[DrDomRob]

Hi All,

I am new to this game, I have bought my first kayak on Friday and am now considering my options to collect it.

I have calculated that it's going to cost me about £100 in fuel to collect + a full day of my time, however I was wondering if there are likely to be any couriers / haulage companies who would be able to transport it.

Does anyone here have any experience of using a courier for transportation of a kayak?

It's a 16ft Sea kayak.

Many thanks,

Dom

[surfkayaks.com]

Start Driving.

very unlikely to find cheaper than £100 if you can get anyone to take it.

[antbjanne]

perhaps change your post to "looking for someone to courier a kayak" or similar?

Depending on whereabouts in the country it is you might find some helpful person on here who could oblige....

[zec01]

The reason Pete from Summit to Sea delivers his kayaks rather than use a courier is because there are no specialist companies and the average courier won't be able to fit a kayak in or know how to handle it without damaging it.

I agree that it is worth driving there

[MikeB]

--- there are no specialist companies and the average courier won't be able to fit a kayak in or know how to handle it without damaging it.

There is someone who was doing it a few years back, but I've no idea if he still does, but worth a try. See this earlier discussion

Update us please on the eventual outcome. Mike.

[MYSSAK]

From where to where?

[DrDomRob]

Hi All,

Thanks for the responses, I was afraid that this might be the case.

The kayak is in Lowestoft, I live in Poole... It seemed like a great deal at the time!!! If there is anyone doing this drive already then I'd be happy to throw some cash their way!! Otherwise it looks like I'll be going on a tour of the South East this weekend!

Dom

[MikeB]

Have you spoken with Huw Jenkins? Mike

[swagstaff]

There are definitely specialist kayak couriers. Try John at Penwith couriers among others.
We use also our local removal company who are happy to earn fuel money for an empty van & are very good at looking after expensive fragile items.

[DrDomRob]

Cheers again for the replies guys,

It looks like speaking to the individual couriers is the way forward before committing to the journey myself.

Mike - I haven't spoken to Huw yet, will try and get in touch with him today.

Cheers,

Dominic

[No Kayak]

Have you spoken with Huw Jenkins? Mike

The best and safest way to ensure trouble free delivery is to do it yourself, unfortunately (unless a retailer like Pete Baars knows what they are doing and is willing to deliver for you).

[DrDomRob]

I have gone with Paisley Freight which had a specific section for Kayaks up to 2.5m, obviously no good for me, but at least they have experience handling them.

Getting picked up tomorrow, should have it by Friday...

I'll let you know how smooth everything goes, but so far so good!

Dom

[DrDomRob]

Well,

The Kayak arrived with no issues, there are a couple of bumps and scrapes but it wasn't as packaged as well as it could have been by the previous owner. I've had a good look at them and it is nothing a bit of composite expertise won't solve!

All in all for £130 to get it delivered within 36hrs of placing the request through Paisley freight, I'm pretty impressed!

Borrowed a paddle and spray deck from a mate (and his help getting in and out) and spent half an hour in it this afternoon at lunch. I loved it!

Now to get all the other gubbins!

Whoop!

A very happy and excited Dom

[MikeB]

Result!

[DrDomRob]

Result!

Indeed. I was surprised how well it worked out in the end, and only £30 - 40 more than it would have cost me to do the journey myself. But saved me an overnight trip!

Happy days!