Yacht Delivery by Skipper
THE PROCESS
Your Inquiry
Let us know what kind of vessel you need to deliver, how and when, and get our answer within 48 hours.
Fair Contract
We create a clear contract defining deadlines, costs, payment terms, responsibility and course of service.
Plans & Preparation
We create a safe and effective passage plan. The boat is being technically tested and prepared for the delivery.
Yacht Delivery
Our crew delivers the vessel according to the planned schedule. Delivery is under live satellite tracking 24h/d.
Post-delivery
The vessel is secured, cleaned and technically checked. A report of the yacht’s condition and performance is prepared.
DETAILED INFORMATION
All you should know about yacht deliveries handled by our skippers and crew.
Years of experience in delivering yachts have allowed us to plan a clear and transparent plan of action during arrangements with clients, preparation of cost estimates and contracts, pre-delivery procedures, deliveries and final reports. We are proud of this structure because it allows us to complete each order efficiently, smoothly and stress-free.
Below you can learn about each aspect of yacht delivery offered by our company. If you have any questions, please contact us. We’d be glad to give you answers.
Contact us and get a free quote >>
1. Cost estimate and contract
When arranging a yacht delivery service, we set all costs depending on individual requests of our customers. Everything has to be clear before we get down to work. Costs, routes and approximate time of delivery are calculated, types of insurance and eventual fuel cost range are chosen. When all details are agreed, the contract is signed – assuring that both sides understand the job and scope of work. Thanks to these detailed arrangements, our clients can feel calm and well informed at every stage of the delivery of their vessels, and the order is carried out efficiently.
Read more about yacht delivery contracts in the Contracts part.
2. Before delivery
Preparations can be time-consuming, but are well worth it as they ensure the efficiency of the yacht delivery and safety of both the vessel and crew. This part covers mainly subjects such as getting a proper boat insurance (if missing), passage planning, boat technical inspections and eventual necessary repairs – all that must be done before the yacht sets off.
2.1. Timing and passage plan
Once the contract is signed, we prepare a safe and efficient delivery plan for the yacht. This can take anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks and may or may not involve the owner in the decision-making process – depending on the wishes of each owner and the chosen time and arrangement described in the contract. The itinerary may change slightly during the service, mainly due to weather changes and unpredictable obstacles on the water (fishermen, orcas, etc.). Changes are always consulted with the client, and the route of the cruise is available to see 24h/d on the live Satellite tracking which we provide for every delivery.
2.2. Boat preparation: inspections and repairs
Before any delivery, our skippers and crew spend at least 24 hours at checking the boat technically and preparing it appropriately for the passage. It’s a standard safety procedure for both short and long yacht transfers. This technical check includes a comprehensive checklist of functions of all the equipment and parts of the vessel – from radio and motor to mast and rigging. All problems and vulnerabilities are reported to the client and discussed for fixes and solutions. Major deficiencies or technical faults that cannot be easily repaired during a cruise are being fixed before setting out. We can repair minor faults – that don’t pose a safety risk – on the way, if agreed so with the customer.
2.3. Insurance
- BOAT INSURANCE: The boat insurance is always the most important and, according to International Law, the first to be taken into account in case of any accidents or damages. Our clients often ask us if it’s possible to use only their personal insurance. The answer is ‘no’. Moreover, only the owner can insure the vessel and it is forbidden to buy multiple insurances for the same object. The skipper can buy additional coverage, which will be treated as an extension for the leading boat’s insurance.
- SKIPPER & CREW INSURANCE: All our captains have an additional insurance called Pantaenius Skipper Third Party Liability. It means that they are personally liable, to the extent of their assets, for all damages they cause to third parties through the use of another’s yacht. Check out the Pantaenius.de site to learn more.
3. During delivery
Delivery of the yacht is usually done both day and night. We sail 24 hours a day, with short stops for fuel and supplies, or when necessary. Our goal is to deliver the yacht as efficiently and quickly as possible, within the safety limits dictated by weather conditions, local laws and the dangers of the waters crossed. During the delivery of the yacht, the crew works in 2, 3 or 4 watch mode, depending on its number. Throughout the journey, everyone is bound by specific rules of conduct defined in order to ensure the highest standard of service, as well as safety and protection of the yacht from damage.
3.1. Property security
Our crew is constantly vigilant not to damage the vessel in any way. They are responsible for returning the yacht in the same condition in which it was received. They use their own everyday equipment, such as their own sheets and sleeping bags, and only drinks and food purchased for the purpose of feeding the crew. Private property left on the yacht is properly secured. Smoking is not permitted on board. The yacht is never left unattended. Any additional property security measures are agreed with the owner at the stage of drawing up the contract or when the crew prepares the yacht for delivery.
3.2. Navigation and live tracking
Navigation is carried out in accordance with the requirements, i.e. not only using a plotter, but also printed maps and a logbook. Our satellite monitoring (live GPS location) provides the owner with the exact position of the yacht every 30 minutes. This data can be displayed in a dedicated application on a computer or phone. In this way, our client can quickly check where their vessel is during the entire cruise.
3.3. Further tests and repairs
During collection, the yacht is checked by our skipper and crew according to the rules of good seamanship: rigging tests at sunset and sunrise and during the day, etc. We also often make minor repairs to the vessel. Purchase of parts and tools (if required) takes place before departure, or, if this is not possible, may take place during later refueling/watering stops.
4. After delivery
At the destination port, we start preparing the yacht for handover to the owner or the person authorized to collect it. The final work includes primarily: cleaning, technical inspection, preparation of a report on the yacht’s condition together with technical advice, preparation of a handover note.
4.1. Inspection & Raport
After the yacht is delivered, we will conduct a thorough technical inspection together with photographic documentation, on the basis of which we will prepare a report for the owner, showing the condition of the yacht and identifying equipment and systems that may require special attention. These may include, for example: – rigging that will soon need to be replaced, – decks that need to be sealed, – structures that need to be reinforced and secured.
We also prepare a handover note by means of which the person receiving the vessel certifies the equipment and condition of the boat.
4.2. Cleaning
We perform standard cleaning or hire a local cleaning company at the destination port – depending on the option agreed in the contract.
1. Technical inspection
It’s important to thoroughly inspect purchased vessel, even if it’s brand new.
Regardless of whether you bought a new boat straight from the factory or bought a used yacht, in both cases you don’t know much about your new vessel yet. Brand new yachts should be thoroughly tested because just because they are new does not mean they are free from defects (unfortunately they often have many). They have not been sailed yet, and everything is newly installed, and this fact must always be taken into account. Used yachts have the advantage that they have already been checked on the water by previous owners. However, they can also have hidden defects, and if we do not use the help of an appraiser, we must be aware of the fact that the entire yacht will probably have to be thoroughly checked and additional repairs made, or faulty equipment replaced.
1.1. New vessels
Many of our clients are surprised how often new yachts require corrections after the first days on the water: poorly screwed parts come loose, poorly fitted parts creak, carelessly glued parts come apart. That is why it is so important to spend at least two days on the water during collection and test the boat thoroughly in the waves and wind. It’s the best time to report any concerns to the dealer and ask for any necessary repairs. A good example of the things that need to be taken into account when buying a new yacht is that it has a new engine that requires inspection after about 100 engine hours. In the event that the engine turns out to have defects or manufacturing faults, it’s important to act in accordance with the insurance/warranty issued by the manufacturer. Usually, the fact of necessary repairs comes to light during the delivery of the yacht, therefore engine service must be organized en route, in contact with the appropriate company. If such a situation occurs during our yacht deliveries, the owner arranges the details and payment for repairs in cooperation with the manufacturer (we can help at this stage), then our crew transports the boat to the agreed place and helps with service activities. Similar situations may occur with installed electronics, rigging, etc.
1.2. Used vessels
The situation is slightly different when buying a used yacht, in which case we have a chance to know a bit more about its actual performance on the water thanks to the experience of the previous owner/owners. However, apart from any defects hidden at the time of purchase, we must remember that these yachts often stand unused for a long time and it is necessary to thoroughly check their technical condition before setting off on any further journey. A thorough check of the yacht immediately after purchase is very important and allows you to avoid unpleasant surprises. By reporting defects to the seller at the stage of collecting the yacht, you can save a lot of (nerves and) money and time.
We carry out such tests and inspections very often and our technicians are efficient in finding defects, which is why we recommend ourselves in this area when ordering the delivery of the yacht or as a separate service.
2. Documentation
Another important point is to check the yacht documentation: complete all required documents from the seller and obtain any missing ones, such as new registration or yacht insurance. We recommend keeping all yacht documents together and making backup copies in PDF format immediately after receiving the paper versions – this protects against complications related to lost or destroyed documents. If you plan to register the yacht under a different name or flag, it is also a good idea to do it immediately after purchase so that the subsequent documents obtained are consistent with the target name and flag of the yacht.
We can help/advise you in obtaining the appropriate documents at the pre-delivery stage, after the contract has been signed. At a later stage, during the yacht delivery, we address issues related to customs clearance of the yacht so our customers dont have to worry about it.
About our skippers and crew
We provide skippers and crew professionally carrying out yacht deliveries from any place in the world to the destination. We have an extensive, international team, thanks to which we can select the most suitable skippers for specific conditions and waters of each yacht delivery. Among our skippers there are both young and talented, as well as captains with over 40 years of experience on the seas and oceans. Each of our employees has been checked for responsibility and safety in the style of sailing. When building our team and crews, we always focus on a professional approach ( rule of no place for sloppy work or showing off). Our employees sail on many different types of vessels, from small sailboats and motorboats, through tourist, sports and luxury yachts, monohulls and catamarans, to tall ships.
1. Crew number and qualifications
Depending on the size and complexity of the vessel to be delivered, we provide a crew of at least two people, and in the case of longer transoceanic voyages, three or more. The crew is counted including the owner, if he or she chooses to be on board (and active) during the delivery of the yacht. Employees selected for the crew must meet certain requirements, which vary depending on the characteristics of the individual yacht deliveries but are generally not lower than:
- Skipper: RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean or Offshore qualified. Assessed and interviewed by a senior skipper before selection.
2. 1st Mate: RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore qualified and thoroughly vetted to work as 1st Mate, usually after several passages as a deckhand.
3. Deckhands: Frequently RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore qualified or RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal qualified.
Dedicated crew for tall ship deliveries: experienced tall ship captains and mates.
2. Join your hired crew 🙂
Our clients often ask if they can join us us during the delivery of their yacht. And the answer is: “of course”. We invite yacht owners to join our crew on the entire delivery route or at any selected stage. During the joint sailing, our employees pass on their knowledge and actively support the owner so that he/she can operate his/her yacht more confidently and safely. If there is such a wish, we also allow our clients to invite guests to the calmer parts of the yacht delivery. In such cases, for safety reasons, we only insist on the golden rule that the captain is one, is always right and is decisive when carrying out orders.
1. Contract tailored to individual needs
Most points of contract can be negotiated (before signing) because every yacht delivery is different. Our agreements are based as much on safety, legal and ”common sense’ requirements as well as on expectations of individual customers. If you have any special needs or requirements regarding your yacht’s planned delivery please contact us. We pride ourselves on the level of reasonable flexibility of service we offer. Contact us and get a free quote >>
2. Yacht delivery costs
The price of a yacht delivery by our skipper and crew varies depending on a number of factors, including:
- Size and type of yacht: Larger and more complex yachts will typically cost more to deliver. We’ll also send there more sailors
- Distance to be travelled: The longer the distance to be travelled, the more time it will need and the more the delivery will cost.
- Level of experience and qualifications of the skipper: More experienced skippers with higher qualifications will typically charge more.
- Time of year: Delivery rates are typically higher during peak season (summer months). That’s because most of our skippers are already on the water with our Customers. But winter delivery from Tromso to Gibraltar will also cost more than summer passage between Mallorca and Palermo
- Emergency/fast action: if you need skipper very fast, we are able to send one within 24 hours, on appropriate terms.
+ In addition to these rates, it is also important to factor in the cost of fuel (if agreed in the contract), ‘weather stops’ (if any) and, often, the cost of the skipper travelling to and from the vessel.
The cost of food and basic equipment for the crew, unless otherwise stated in the contract, is covered by our company.
2.1 Price per day / nautical mile
In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $350 to $600 per day for a skipper. However, for longer deliveries, it’s sometimes possible to negotiate a lower daily rate.
If you prefer to pay per Nautical Mile prices start from $4.00 per 1 NM of the planned passage (not tacking).
2.2. Fuel cost
We have two main kinds of agreement here. We can include fuel in the price of the service. Then we assume in advance how much fuel we will need. The second model obliges the owner to return the amount of money for the fuel purchased during the passage. (Please remember that burning on the same yacht will be different depending on the season, weather and sailing conditions and even the direction of the route.)
Sometimes we have deliveries in the middle of winter on the Norwegian or Irish seas. In both cases, short weather windows had to be fully used between multi-day winter storms. In that case we go on the engine because it’s safer for both vessel and crew, and because a day shorter in miles by 20(nm) can often mean the next stop will take even a few days longer. This is an extreme example, but it illustrates well how much mentioned factors affect fuel consumption.
2.3. Costs of necessary repairs
If the engine, sails or any other part of the yacht requires repairs for safety reasons before delivery, the client must cover all repair costs, as well as purchase all missing parts and required equipment. Otherwise, our crew will not be able to perform the delivery. In the scenario where the skipper is responsible for organizing repairs, we guarantee that all planned expenses are always consulted with the client in advance for approval. Refunds are only possible on invoices. Delay due to repairs costs 100 euros/day. In the event that the repair cannot be completed within three working days, our company has the right to withdraw from the contract.
Looking for a way to cut the costs? Consider hiring a freelancer.
If you’re looking for a way to save money on yacht delivery, you can consider hiring a freelancer. Our company is also a skipper agency and we can help you to find the right person. It’ll be cheaper but with no warranty, no insurance included. However please know that hiring a company for in-water boat transport is the best way to ensure that your yacht is delivered safely and efficiently.
1. 3-step payment
We typically require payment to be made on a 3-step payment basis as follows:
- 10% twenty one (21) days before delivery – to reserve a time frame for our skippers and crew. Also, flight tickets cost less when we buy them earlier.
- 50% in the day when delivery starts, the latest. Delivery cost and we need money to cover part of expenses
- 40% in the day when a vessel reaches its destination.
However, we would like to point out that the method of payment for the delivery of the yacht may vary depending on the individual arrangements included in the signed yacht delivery contract.
We accept payments in: cash, checks, bank transfers, credit cards and PayPal.
We issue VAT invoices.
2. Accounts
Company address: Al. Krakowska 60, 05552 Mrokow, Poland
Account in EURO (€):
IBAN: PL41 1600 1286 1846 8955 2000 0003
Account in GBP (£):
IBAN: PL57 1600 1286 1846 8955 2000 0006
Account in PLN (zł):
IBAN: PL95 1600 1286 1846 8955 2000 0001
BIC (same for all accounts): PPABPLPK
LEGAL PROCEDURES
Customs & Clearance
We know the customs and clearance procedures and also obtain the appropriate documents when required. Our company has extensive experience in legal matters related to yacht transfers from one country to another on all continents. We offer our full support or advice in this regard.
We always emphasize that it is very important to go through these procedures correctly and with the right understanding in order to be aware of your rights and avoid popular mistakes and legal problems in the future.
Read more:
- Legal matters of crossing national borders with a yacht.
- Yacht documentation explained.
LEGAL PROCEDURES
Registration & Reflagging
We can also help with matters related to registration and reflagging a vessel. It’s important to know that for each flag, there are specific national regulations which are very different for both commercial and recreational vessels depending on a country of registration, so it is crucial to know what is allowed and prohibited under a chosen flag.
Choosing the right flag to register your yacht on and knowing the regulations that govern it will not only allow you to sail safely and legally, but will also give you the comfort of knowing your rights and privileges.
Read more:
- Registration of a new/newly bought boat – how does it work?
- Reflagging explained – rules and consequences of changing a flag.
YACHT DESTINATIONS
The most popular yacht delivery routes
- Transatlantic Routes
One of the most popular yacht transport routes is the transatlantic crossing, most often from USA or the Caribbean Islands to the Mediterranean or the other way round. - Intra-Mediterranean Routes
Within the Mediterranean Sea, there are frequent yacht deliveries between popular ports like Monaco, Barcelona, and various Greek islands. - Pacific Crossings
Routes between the U.S. West Coast and destinations like Hawaii or even Australia are also common. - Coastal Routes
In countries with extensive coastlines like the United States, coastal deliveries are frequent, such as from Florida to New England.
Examples of Yacht Deliveries
Current yacht deliveries are being updated on an ongoing basis. However, we ask for your understanding in terms of the amount of information added here – we are not capable of describing all the yacht deliveries we perform. It’s just too many of them. Below, you can find some yacht deliveries which, we hope, will give you a better understanding of our work.
Albin Vega. Yacht Transport Germany to Poland
It was a quite short Baltic delivery from Flensburg, Germany to Elblag, Poland. We’ve had to deliver a small but brave Albin Vega to her new owner […]
