Getting a boat delivered: what to have ready

A good delivery feels uneventful. Most of what makes it so happens before the lines come off. If you are handing your boat to someone else for a passage, this is the short list of what to have ready.

Know the destination and keep the dates loose

Be clear about where the boat is going and roughly when you would like her there. Then leave some give in the dates. On the water the weather sets the timetable, and a skipper who waits for the right window is doing the job properly.

Tell the skipper everything you know about the boat

• Her age, her history and any recent work done.
• Anything that has ever gone wrong, even if it was fixed.
• Quirks of the engine, the electrics, the rig and the steering.
• What is on board and what is missing.

Talk to your insurer before departure

Passages can affect your cover. Check with your insurer about a delivery well before it starts, and keep their answer in writing.

Expect a preparation list

A careful skipper will go through the boat, the safety gear and the supplies before leaving. Do not be surprised if the list asks for things. It is cheaper to fix a gap on the dock than at sea.

Agree how you want to hear from them

Some owners like a daily message, others prefer a note at each stop. Say what you would like, and make sure someone can be reached if a decision is needed.

Plan the arrival

Know where she will berth, who will meet her and when you would like the handover. A short walk-through on arrival, with a list of anything worth knowing, is the best way to finish.