When wanting to spend some time on your yacht, it is natural that a visit to a boatyard is going to be needed at some point. Much like with other kinds of service work, your level of organization, communication, and clear budget will affect how satisfied you are with the work. Here are some great ways to have a good quality boatyard experience.

KKMI's 8 Tips to a Successful Boatyard Experience

Evaluate the Scope and Your Budget

Making a comprehensive list of needed services is valuable because it allows experienced boatyard workers to work efficiently, doing tasks in the optimum order based on the parts they have on hand and the time it will take to get other parts. Requesting items piecemeal or adding new needs in the middle of the boatyard process may result in delays and extra charges. The process is much smoother if you do a thorough evaluation first, and then have your assigned yard manager check out your list and give any added suggestions.

Get Quotes, Timelines, and Warranties in Writing

Everyone is happier if they know what they are getting beforehand, so get the boatyard best estimates on cost and timeline in writing. They may have some wiggle room on these items, but they should be able to give you both a ballpark figure and some ways to know how it is going; i.e. calling to see if a part has arrived yet or if it will take a few more days.

It's also important to know how long the job warranty lasts and what exactly is covered. Especially when working with a new boatyard, you can have greater confidence in their work if you know that they will make things right if anything turns out to have gone wrong. Having all these items in writing or as saved emails will keep the boatyard accountable and will allow you to have a clear understanding of any changes in cost or timeline. This also allows you to emphasize any budgetary concerns by asking the boatyard to discuss with you before doing more than a certain amount of labor on your yacht.

Follow Up and Expect Some Additional Services Needed

You'll want to reach out to the boatyard if you haven't heard from them: rush jobs do come in, and may cause some delay on your boat. Getting estimates on deadline and revisions to those estimates, is one way to make sure that you aren't accidentally shuffled to the bottom of the priority list.

At the same time, these calls may reveal that other issues have arisen and that your boat needs more work than expected. If the changes are superficial, it is okay to approve them, but any major new expense merits going to the boatyard to see for yourself if the situation merits another major repair. Just the act of visiting holds the boatyard accountable and helps put your mind at ease; it is, after all, better to catch a major need while in the boatyard than while out on the water.

Document Any Issues With Final Work

Even if you have a rock-solid job warranty, you'll want to make sure that you take pictures, video and notes about any poor workmanship or incorrect repairs. Be sure to bring any issue to the immediate attention of your yard manager immediately. It is a good idea to go over the repairs and invoice with your yard manager when you pick up your boat.  This will help you get your money back or get a new fix without extra expenses or conflict with the yard. Making it clear that work was not done correctly keeps the process from becoming a conflict. Most likely, however, working through this process with such care will eliminate any need for a return to the boatyard until the next time you need one!

Contact us if part of your boatyard work has to do with getting your yacht shipshape for sale, or if you are in the market for a boat yourself.