Short answer: a good yacht delivery contract sets out who the parties are, which yacht is being delivered, from where to where, what the price includes and excludes, how weather delays and repairs are handled, who insures what, the skipper’s authority, and the terms for payment and cancellation. A clear written agreement protects both the owner and the delivery crew, and avoids disputes when the plan has to change — which, at sea, it often does.
A yacht delivery involves a valuable asset, a crew, the weather and often several countries. Before any yacht leaves the dock, owner and delivery company should agree in writing on how the job will be done. This guide explains the points a delivery agreement should cover, so you know what to look for when comparing quotes. It is general information, not legal advice.
1. The parties and the yacht
- The owner, or the person authorised by the owner, and the delivery company, with full company details.
- The yacht: name, flag, registration number, make and model, length and engine.
- Confirmation that the person signing is the owner or has written authority from the owner — this is also needed at borders and in marinas.
2. The route and the timing
- The departure and arrival ports, and any planned stops.
- A departure window rather than a fixed date, because the skipper must be free to wait for safe weather.
- How the yacht is handed over at both ends — keys, documents and a condition report.
3. The price: fixed fee or daily rate
Deliveries are usually priced as a fixed fee for the route or as a daily rate per crew member. The agreement should state clearly which applies, and exactly what is included and what is extra:
- Skipper and crew fees.
- Crew travel to and from the yacht.
- Food and provisions on board.
- Fuel, marina and lock fees, canal and cruising taxes.
- Agents and clearance costs.
Read our guide to what a yacht delivery costs for typical price levels and what drives them.
4. Weather delays and standby days
Every honest delivery quote includes some allowance for weather. The contract should say how many weather days are included in the price, and what happens if the crew has to wait longer — for example, a reduced daily standby rate. It should also be clear that the decision to sail or wait belongs to the skipper.
5. The skipper’s authority
The skipper must have full authority over the yacht and crew during the delivery, including the right to change the route, to seek shelter, to refuse to sail an unseaworthy yacht and to end the delivery if the yacht cannot be made safe. This protects the yacht, the crew and the owner. If the owner joins the trip, he or she sails as crew under the skipper’s command — see our guide to joining your own delivery.
6. The owner’s obligations
- A seaworthy yacht with the required safety equipment, in good working order.
- Valid registration, ownership documents, VAT documents and radio licence on board.
- Insurance covering the yacht and third-party liability for the route, the dates and the delivery crew.
Our preparation checklist lists what owners typically need to arrange.
7. Insurance and liability
The owner’s yacht insurance normally covers the hull and third-party liability during the delivery, and the insurer should be told about it in advance. A professional delivery company should also carry its own insurance for its skippers and its work. The contract should state who is responsible for what, and any limits of liability. Read our yacht delivery insurance guide.
8. Inspection and repairs
The agreement should allow for a pre-departure inspection and say what happens if problems are found: how the owner is informed, the amount the skipper may spend on urgent repairs without asking first, and how those costs are paid.
9. Payment and cancellation
- A deposit on booking and the timing of the remaining payments.
- How expenses are documented and settled — usually with receipts.
- What happens if the owner cancels or postpones, or if the delivery has to stop because the yacht is not seaworthy.
10. Communication and handover
A good agreement also covers how the owner is kept informed — daily position reports or online tracking — and what the handover includes: a condition report, the logbook and a list of any faults found on the way. Our handover checklist shows what we hand over.
Clear agreements with Nordic Crew Worldwide
Every delivery we take on is confirmed in a written agreement that covers the route, the price and what it includes, weather days, insurance, repairs and handover. Nordic Crew Worldwide S.L. is registered in Spain, and all deliveries are covered by our own professional skipper insurance. Request a quote and we will send you a clear proposal.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a written contract for a yacht delivery?
Yes. A written agreement sets out the route, price, weather days, insurance and responsibilities, and avoids disputes if plans change.
Is a yacht delivery priced as a fixed fee or a daily rate?
Both are common. The contract should state which applies and exactly what is included — crew travel, food, fuel, marina fees and so on.
Who pays if the delivery is delayed by weather?
That depends on the contract. Most include some weather days in the price and set a standby rate for longer delays.
Who insures the yacht during a delivery?
Normally the owner’s yacht insurance covers the hull and third-party liability, and the delivery company carries its own insurance for its skippers.