Short answer: a good yacht delivery has two handovers. At the start, the skipper and owner (or their representative) record the yacht’s condition with photos, engine hours, fuel and water levels, inventory and known defects, and hand over keys and documents. At the finish, the crew delivers the yacht with the logbook, a passage report, a list of defects found underway, updated hours and levels, and the same photos for comparison. A clear handover protects both owner and crew — and makes the next step, whether charter, sale or cruising, easy.
Most disputes after a delivery come from missing information: was that scratch there before? Who used the spare impeller? Why is the fuel tank empty? A structured handover answers all of these. This is the checklist we use.
Handover at departure
| Item | What to record |
|---|---|
| Hull, deck and topsides | Photos from all sides; existing scratches, dents and gelcoat damage |
| Interior | Photos of saloon, cabins, heads and galley; known leaks |
| Engine(s) and generator | Engine hours, oil level, last service date, known issues |
| Fuel and water | Tank levels; fuel type and where last filled |
| Sails and rigging | Condition, number of reefs, any repairs |
| Safety equipment | Life raft and EPIRB service dates, flares, lifejackets |
| Electronics | Working / not working: plotter, autopilot, radar, AIS, VHF |
| Inventory | Dinghy, outboard, spares, tools, fenders, lines |
| Documents | Registration, insurance, VAT proof, radio licence, letter of authority |
| Keys and codes | Ignition, padlocks, hatches, marina cards, Wi-Fi and alarm codes |
Both parties sign or confirm by email. See also our preparation checklist and the offshore safety equipment checklist.
During the delivery
- The logbook records positions, weather, engine hours, fuel taken on and every important decision
- The owner receives position updates at the agreed interval
- Defects and repairs are reported as they happen, with photos and receipts
- Decisions on significant repairs or extra costs are agreed with the owner first
Handover at arrival
| Item | What the crew hands over |
|---|---|
| Passage report | Route, distance, time, weather encountered, port stops |
| Logbook | Complete log of the passage |
| Defect list | Everything that broke, wore or needs attention, with photos |
| Engine hours and levels | Hours, fuel and water at arrival |
| Expenses | Fuel, marina and other receipts, matched to the quote |
| Condition photos | The same angles as at departure, for comparison |
| Yacht secured | Moored, lines and fenders set, systems shut down or on shore power, hatches closed |
| Keys and documents | Returned to the owner, marina or agreed representative |
The defect list is valuable
A delivery is an intense test: days of continuous use at sea. The crew’s defect list gives you an honest picture of the yacht’s condition — useful before a charter season, a sale or a long cruise. After buying a yacht abroad, it is often the most useful document you receive. Read bought a yacht abroad?.
Charter-ready handovers
For charter yachts, the arrival handover can include cleaning, an inventory check against the charter list and system tests, so the base can prepare for guests quickly. Read about charter yacht repositioning.
Expenses and the final invoice
A transparent delivery matches the final invoice to the quote: crew fee, travel and the expenses on the receipts. Any extra costs, such as weather days or repairs, should already have been agreed. See how yacht delivery pricing works.
Our handover standard
Every Nordic Crew delivery includes a documented departure check, regular updates and a proper arrival handover with report and defect list. Our captains come from the commercial fleet, where handovers between watches and crews are routine. See our services, read how to choose a delivery skipper, or request a free quote.
Related guides
- How to prepare your yacht for delivery
- Yacht delivery glossary
- How to choose a yacht delivery skipper
- Sailing on board as the owner
Frequently asked questions
What should be documented before a yacht delivery?
The yacht’s condition with photos, engine hours, fuel and water levels, the state of sails, safety equipment and electronics, the inventory, documents and keys. Both owner and skipper should confirm it.
What should I receive when my yacht is delivered?
A passage report, the logbook, a defect list with photos, engine hours and tank levels, expense receipts, condition photos for comparison, and the keys and documents.
Who decides on repairs during a delivery?
The skipper handles urgent safety repairs. Significant repairs or extra costs should be agreed with the owner first.
Why is a defect list useful after a delivery?
A delivery is days of continuous use at sea, so the crew’s defect list gives an honest picture of the yacht’s condition before a charter season, a sale or a long cruise.