Yacht Delivery Process

Pre-Delivery Organisation & Planning
The delivery process begins with a chat about your boat and the requirements for its delivery. Among other things, I'll want to know the type of boat, details of the equipment onboard, the dates involved and whether you or your representative will be aboard for the voyage. I'll also check travel costs to and from your boat's departure and arrival points.

I'll ask you to verify that your boat's registration papers and VAT status are suitable for the countries and ports that we may enter along the route, that you have adequate insurance for your boat and that your insurance includes both myself as skipper and the sea areas concerned. If you are not joining the boat I will also ask you to make a payment to cover a deposit and expenses.

Once the dates are set and the crew (if any) is organised I'll book the flight or other travel to your boat's location. I'll research the route, the customs and other requirements of the countries along the way, and the port information for the departure, arrival, refuelling and potential refuge ports. I'll also organise any necessary charts, almanacs or other paperwork for the voyage and keep an eye on the long-range weather forecast for the sea area involved. Then we'll pack our bags and join the boat.

Pre-Departure
Upon arriving at your boat we'll pick up the keys, if needed, and stow our gear. I'll then do a complete check of your yacht and its equipment using a comprehensive checklist to ensure that nothing is forgotten. If necessary I'll go through a dockside dry-run of hoisting and reefing the sails, checking the prop-walk and testing the radio and navigation equipment to familiarise myself with your boat (in exceptional cases I might even take her out for an hour or two). And I'll make sure that the fuel and water tanks are full.

We'll also prepare your yacht to ensure that it is kept clean during the delivery, including covering interior surfaces with plastic sheeting, if necessary. If you are not onboard we will implement rules about berths, cooking and use of the heads to ensure that our presence on your boat is kept to a minimum. Generally we will not cook elaborate meals and will use only one sea berth for both skipper and crew. The final step is a trip to the supermarket for provisions and stowing everything carefully so that nothing comes loose at sea. Then a last minute weather check and we're off.

En Route
Every voyage is different, depending on the boat, the people on board, the length and route of the voyage, the weather and many other factors. Indeed, that is one of the great joys of being at sea.

However in all cases we will implement a watch system taking into consideration the experience of the crew and the length of the voyage. This might be a simple 3-hours on/3-hours off rotation or, if there are three or more experienced crew members on board, it might be a rotation involving a combination of 3-hour and 6-hour watches. We will also implement an hourly watch routine involving updating the deck log with course and position details and checking the bilge, engine, ropes, weather forecast, etc. Duties such as tea-making and meal preparation are generally shared, with the person off-watch looking after the person on-watch.

Since the voyage is a delivery we will use the engine when necessary, within the restrictions imposed by distance, fuel capacity and the need for a substantial reserve. If heavy weather is expected we will seek shelter (or alter the route, if shelter is not possible) and at all times sail the boat in such a way as to avoid undue strain on the vessel. The goal is always to get your yacht to her destination safely and without damage and so we will sail conservatively and will not take risks.

Depending on the length and route of the delivery we will enter port every few days for refuelling and perhaps a meal ashore or a night's sleep.

Arrival
Upon arrival at the destination we will first look after your boat, making sure that she is secure and washing her down with fresh water. I'll then do another complete check of the boat and equipment, again using a comprehensive checklist. We will clean your yacht, return all stowed items to their original positions and generally remove any trace of our presence from the boat. We'll also fill up the fuel and water tanks and do any other necessary servicing or organising required before catching the bus, train or plane for home.