Turkish yards build yachts in wood, steel, aluminium and composite, from traditional gulets to modern explorers. A new build is a large investment spread over many months, and most of the quality that matters ends up hidden inside the structure. An owner’s representative, or build supervisor, makes sure the boat is built to the agreed specification and that problems are found while they can still be fixed at reasonable cost. This guide explains how supervision works.
1. Contract and specification
The contract sets the price, payment stages, timeline, warranty and dispute procedure. The technical specification defines what is being built: materials, scantlings or the rules used for structural design (for example ISO 12215 or a classification society’s rules), machinery, systems and finishes. Payments should be tied to completed and inspected work. See our new-build specification sample.
2. Design review
Before construction starts, drawings and calculations are reviewed against the specification: structure, stability, machinery arrangement, electrical design. Changes are much cheaper on paper than in the shed.
3. Material acceptance
Materials arriving at the yard are checked against the specification: timber species and moisture content; steel or aluminium grade and thickness with certificates and ultrasonic checks; resins, fibres and core materials with their data sheets and storage conditions.
4. Hold points by material
Wood
- Backbone and frames complete and checked before planking,
- Fastenings and planking fit before caulking,
- Deck and superstructure leak test before the interior is closed.
Steel and aluminium
- Fit-up before welding; weld inspection by visual, penetrant and, where agreed, ultrasonic methods,
- Surface preparation, coating conditions and dry film thickness at each coat,
- Insulation of dissimilar metals before fittings are installed.
Composite
- Laminate schedule followed ply by ply; workshop temperature and humidity recorded,
- Core bonding and solid laminate at hardware locations,
- Secondary bonds of bulkheads and stringers inspected before the interior is fitted.
Our Turkish guides cover each material in more depth: wood, steel and aluminium and composite.
5. Systems installation
Machinery beds and shaft alignment, through-hull fittings and seacocks, fuel and exhaust systems, electrical installation and cable routing are inspected before they are hidden behind joinery.
6. Reporting
After each visit, the owner receives a report with progress against schedule, photos, issues found and how they are being resolved. This record is valuable during the build and afterwards.
7. Testing
- Tank and watertight compartment tests,
- Electrical and systems commissioning at the dock,
- Weighing and waterline check against design,
- Sea trial with agreed acceptance criteria: speed and rpm, temperatures, charging, vibration and noise, steering and manoeuvring.
8. Delivery and warranty
At delivery, a punch list records outstanding items; the final payment follows when it is closed. The owner receives drawings, material certificates, equipment documentation and maintenance recommendations. The warranty procedure is agreed in advance.
See our new-build supervision page for scope.
9. Common new-build mistakes
- Signing a contract without a detailed specification attached.
- Linking payments to dates instead of completed and inspected work.
- Making changes informally during the build, without written change orders and prices.
- Allowing structure, cabling or tanks to be covered before inspection.
- Accepting delivery before the punch list is closed.
10. Working with the yard
Good supervision is not adversarial. A clear specification, agreed hold points and regular communication help the yard as much as the owner: issues are raised early, decisions are recorded, and the yard can plan its work without last-minute disputes.
11. Documentation the owner should receive
- As-built drawings and the laminate schedule or structural plans,
- Material certificates and test records,
- Electrical and plumbing diagrams,
- Equipment manuals and warranty documents,
- The photo record from each inspection.
This file matters for maintenance, insurance and eventual resale.
A well-supervised build gives the owner something beyond a sound boat: a documented history from the first frame to the sea trial, which supports insurance, maintenance and eventual resale for as long as the boat is in service.
Frequently asked questions
How often does the supervisor visit?
At agreed stages and hold points; the schedule depends on the build and is written into the agreement.
Is supervision useful for a series-production boat?
Yes, for owner-specified options and a pre-delivery inspection, even if the factory has its own quality system.
Can supervision start after construction has begun?
Yes, but some work may already be hidden. The earlier supervision starts, the more it can check.