A new boat's first passage from the yard is also its longest sea trial. The engines are running in, systems are working in real conditions for the first time and the warranty clock has started. So a delivery from the yard is planned differently from an ordinary delivery.
Before departure
- Snag list closed? Defects from acceptance closed, or deferred in writing.
- Systems commissioned? Engines, generator, electronics and safety gear, by the maker or authorised dealer.
- Documents. Declaration of conformity, manuals, temporary or permanent registration, insurance; transit log if foreign-flagged.
- Insurance. The policy valid from handover and for this route.
- Handover record. The boat's condition recorded in photographs.
Run-in and passage
The engine maker's run-in instructions are followed: for example, rpm ranges up to a set number of hours and avoiding long runs at a constant rpm. Temperatures, oil pressure and anything unusual are logged throughout.
Records for the warranty
- Every fault on passage is noted with time and position and photographed.
- On arrival the records go to the yard and equipment makers as warranty notifications.
- The first service is planned to the warranty terms.
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- Before delivery: tests: Harbour and sea acceptance.
A new boat's first long passage
The first passage from yard to new home port is when the boat's systems first run on a real voyage. A sea trial covers a short time; a delivery means hours of running under load. So it is normal for small problems unseen on the trial to appear on the first passage: a loosening connection, a leak, a sensor reading wrongly. Recording them is the first step of the warranty process.
Run-in
For new engines the maker gives run-in instructions for the first hours: rpm ranges, avoiding long periods at constant rpm, and when the first service is due. The delivery plan follows them; speed and rpm are kept within run-in conditions. Correct run-in is also a condition of the engine warranty.
Papers and equipment aboard
- The yard's handover record and open snag list.
- Manuals and warranty papers for all equipment aboard.
- Registration or provisional papers and insurance confirmation.
- Safety equipment complete.
- Instruments installed and calibrated.
On arrival
Every defect noticed under way is written on a list with photo and date. The list goes to the yard on arrival and warranty work is planned. The engine's first service is done at the hours in the run-in instructions.
From a yard abroad
If the boat was built abroad, exit and entry formalities, VAT and the boat's registration status are settled before the delivery.
The skipper's role
A delivery skipper familiar with new boats knows to watch temperatures, bilges and connections more closely in the first hours than on a boat that has proved itself.
Warnings on engine displays on a first passage can come from software or sensor settings too; they are noted and passed to the yard's service team. A delivery is, in that sense, an extended acceptance test.
The first weeks after arrival continue that test; records kept during the first season become the basis for any claim made within the warranty period, so they are worth keeping carefully and in one place.
Records are kept in date order in one file and shared with the yard, which speeds up every warranty response.
That keeps claims simple.