Boat Customer Reviews

“James delivered our classic wooden yacht ‘Dorado’ by sea from Maldon to Dover for us.
The service was highly professional and the boat arrived exactly when he said it would. We have great confidence in his ability as a skipper and would not hesitate to use him again. Thank you Highway Marine.” Mr B Smeed.

“James took my Dutch barge Roma round the Kent coast and up the Thames to London. As well as being immensely competent he was fine company. It was a first rate passage and his piloting/delivery was a first rate service.” D Re’em-London

“James assisted me in moving my boat from Sandwich to Hayling Island. I can honestly say that I would trust him to move any boat of mine, anywhere in the world. James organised the entire trip, he supplied charts and planned for the correct tide/weather windows. He took great care over every procedure and was always fully in control. If I ever need my boat moving again and did not feel confident enough, or have the time to do it myself, my first port of call would be Highway Marine.” A Sanderson- Oxford

“I would just like to thank you for delivering my yacht Reverie from Sandwich to Ipswich. It was done in the most efficient and professional way at a very reasonable cost and the feed back from the passage was very useful. I enjoyed my stay on the mooring at Highway, I found everyone most friendly and helpful.” R Parkin-Ipswich

“Thank you James for delivering ‘Seonaidh’ safely to Brighton Marina. A first class job from a first class company.” Barry Millar from Southampton

“I must take this opportunity to thank you both most sincerely for the help, advice and assistance you have given me over the past few months. From the original purchase through the repair and refurbishment stage your support has been invaluable. Of course from your standpoint it is a commercial undertaking but it is not what you have done it was the way that you have done it that has been so brilliant.” Peter White ‘Sea Dragon’

“We loved our stay here. A really special spot for a shallow water loving bilge keeler. The kids loved the welcome at the entrance to the river by the resident seal colony. Before the scenic journey up to Sandwich. A special request to swing the bridge in town, to gain entry to the peaceful river bank moorings of Highway Marine is something you don’t get cruising the Solent. Once there you have one of the most historic towns on the Kent coast to easily explore by foot. I needed essential repairs to the boat to be made and I found Highway Marine helpful and very knowledgeable. Loved it, couldn’t recommend it enough. We’ll be back!” Mike Brundle. Surrey.

“I would like to thank James for his efforts on the moving my Humber sailing barge ‘John William’ from Goole on the river Humber down to the river Stour in Kent. I found him to be fully in control of the boat and the crew (myself and a friend of mine) at all times, very approachable and easy to get on with, even when we ran into an unforseen engine problem. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend James for a first class service.” Ben Rance. Guildford

“James from Highway Marine recently moved my 75ft barge from Windsor to Sandwich. I had concerns about the trip as my barge had not been used for more than 1.5 hours in the past 10 years. James if he had concerns, never showed them to me. With his professional, enthusiastic and friendly approach to the trip my concerns were soon dispelled. James supplied all the charts and equipment required for the trip complete with crew member as I am a complete novice. The trip was completed in 2.5 days – James hit every tidal window spot on. I have since found all of Highway Marine a very friendly and professional business. When dealing with businesses in any form it is difficult to know who to trust especially if one’s knowledge of the subject matter is limited. I would have no problem recommending Highway Marine, whether moving a craft with James or buying/selling with Richard. My thanks to James for making the journey a real joy.” Geoff Fensome. Motor Barge ‘Mystic’.

“Thanks for all your help. I must say you were very helpful and my wife and I thought unlike other brokers, that you were genuine. Thanks again” Roy Williams

“Thanks to Richard, we stopped short of buying a total shocker of a boat from another boatyard and Richard found us a better, cheaper equivalent. Also being ‘first timers’ he and James told us about all the things we should know/buy/be aware of. Thanks for being so helpful and we look forward to a nice summer of sun and sailing (please)” Karen Dresser, Essex

“I imported a boat from England to Sweden through Highway Marine Group. When investing so much time and money in your dream, you don’t want anything to go wrong – especially doing it from abroad. Richard and his team did a great job. They are very service-minded and helped me with every matter along the way, including paper work, transport etc. Above all, they are honest, straight people that care about their customers and reputation. I would definitely buy another boat from through Highway Marine Group.” Michael B. Gothenburg, Sweden.

“Just a quick email to congratulate you on the purchase of our lovely ‘Reverie’. We wish you very many happy voyages aboard her. Thanks, too, to Richard for all your help in the sale process.” Michael & Felicia Foster

“I would like to say how enjoyable it has been dealing with yourself and your company. You are not only knowledgeable but incredibly helpful, in fact you are the first broker I have been pleased to deal with. I have always bought privately in the past.” Neil Sutherland, Dorchester

“Thank you very much for the cheque for the sale of Mergarer. Thank you also for your help over the last few months and the speedy completion of business once an offer had been made.” Nick Lockhart

“Finally purchased the 1997 Four Winns Vista 258 for £18,500 accepting a slightly higher price because it had had a new engine so I think your valuation was spot on.” Stuart

Dear Richard,

I wanted to take the time to write to thank you for your recent assistance with your dealings as broker for a motor yacht I was buying.

I was most grateful for the professionalism and honesty that you and your company demonstrated throughout all of our dealings, and for the friendliness and courtesy shown to my partner and I when we visited the yacht on a number of occasions on her berth in the marina.

I would have no concerns whatsoever dealing with Highway Marine again and congratulate you on the utmost integrity shown during our due process, something that can be hard to find these days!

Kind regards

Mr King

Director, Maritime2050 Limited.

I have been a customer of Highway Marine for several years. I keep a boat on their alongside pontoons in Sandwich and use their shop in the town for chandlery supplies as well as for help and advice on local conditions.

I have always found the service that I have received to be excellent. Pippa showed me over my boat, Cheybassa, which I subsequently bought through Highway Marine and it was she who effectively secured the deal even though she was new in post at that time.

Pippa is the mainstay of the office operations (Richard and James being often out and about). No matter how busy she may be,  Pippa has always made time to deal with my questions and queries with charm and efficiency.  Pippa is a “natural”  –  one of those rare people with a real gift and talent for customer service and it is always a pleasure to meet her and to speak to her.  In the time that she has been in post she has become an essential part of operations at Highway Marine and I hope that she will remain so for a long time to come.

Martin Webber

I can honestly say that we would not be the proud owners of Joysee had you not been in the shop. Why? Well, we hadn’t come to Sandwich to buy a boat. It was always just a dream in the back of our minds. When we saw Joysee we felt if there was a boat with our name on it (both of us have Joyce as our middle name) it was her. But we knew absolutely nothing about moorings and buying a boat and so I came inside to enquire. Richard was out but you stepped in with all the reassurance that two middle aged women needed. Our dream became a possibility. That, Pippa, really is down to you and we can’t praise you enough for that. We have so loved our time on Joysee. Having you on the other side of the bank allows us to feel confident that if we needed anything, Pippa is always there with a smile.

We can’t wait for the slightly warmer weather to arrive so we can stay on Joysee again.

Ann Larkin

“The Highway Marine staff have been superb from start to finish. I bought two boats last year and have found the marina team to be incredibly professional, response, informative and very helpful. A total joy to work with and delighted to be at Highway Marine”

Archie, Margate

I would like to commend Highway Marine’s office manager Philippa on the excellent customer service she is providing to her customers. Philippa always conducts herself in a professional manor, she is very efficient and well organised. We are always greeted with a smile and a kind word, and a commitment to help with anything we present her with. We are very happy with her service, and feel she is a lovely asset to Highway Marine.
Linda & Nigel Bourne.

I moved into a townhouse rented from Highway Marine in October 2018 & have nothing but praise for all of your team. My neighbours have lived here for 4 years & again have nothing but praise for you. All of your staff have been

friendly, polite, accommodating and professional. The team
even assisted towing my camper van when it bogged down
in the rain (no charge) just a friendly wave. Keep up the
fantastic work and what a wonderful place to live.
Kind & genuine regards
David Gwillym

Richard, of Highway Marine accepted our instructions to market our forty-year-old motor ketch. A well maintained and much-loved vessel.

We found Richard most personable, straight forward, transparent, and easy to relate with. Richard duly inspected and photographed the vessel, described it sensibly and advertised it locally and on the WWWeb.

We were impressed that immediately there was interest and within a few months the vessel was sold at the asking value. The purchaser was a pleasure to transact with and who I know found Richard helpful and transparent.

In short, our experience of Highway Marine Ltd Brokerage Services was entirely satisfactory.

Dr R.P.

Associate Royal Institution of Naval Architecture.