Important things to note during your Boat Inventory

Every yacht charter begins with an inventory check, whether you’re sailing with or without a skipper. It can take a while, so crews often rush through it. Yet it’s a crucial step that can make a real difference to your sailing holiday.

If you don’t report a defect or problem on board during handover, it can be difficult to dispute the inventory once you’ve signed it. If you later spot a maintenance issue or signs of wear that you missed during the check, contact the base manager straight away by phone or email. Take photos or videos of the issue.

How to prepare for your yacht inventory check

Once you’ve completed the paperwork with the base manager, step aboard and start your inventory check before casting off. The charter company will provide a tablet or paper forms so you can work through the inventory yourself.

If you’re unsure about any of the boat’s equipment or navigation instruments, ask a technician on the pontoon for help. Allow at least one hour to check the boat thoroughly before setting off.
If you’ve hired a professional skipper, ask them to help with the inventory. It will save you time and give your skipper a chance to get to know the boat before departure. You’ll need to sign the inventory yourself, as the charter agreement is in your name and the security deposit is yours.
The inventory has two parts: checks outside the boat and checks inside the boat.

1. Checks outside the boat

Walk around the boat to assess the general condition of the hull and rigging. If the wind allows, hoist the mainsail. Check for tears and make sure all the battens and sail slides are in place.

Check the engine and tank levels

Start the engine, let it run and check for white smoke. Test forward and reverse gear. Check that the fuel gauge works and that the fuel level is correct.

Check that the water tanks are full. Locate the deck fillers and make sure the key is on board. Check that you have the fuel tank for the tender’s outboard motor as well.

Check the anchor windlass, draught and depth sounder

Test the anchor windlass before you reach your first anchorage.

Find out the boat’s draught and test the depth sounder. Allow a safety margin of one metre beneath the keel. As the saying goes, ‘There are two kinds of sailors: those who have run aground and those who haven’t yet!’

2. Checks inside the boat

Focus on the essential checks, particularly those that affect the safety of the boat and crew. Counting forks and bowls or checking whether the oven is clean can wait.

Check the equipment and systems on board

Locate and check the seacocks, then test all the toilets.

Check what’s in the toolbox. Onboard toolkits are often sparse, so bring a few basics of your own, such as pliers, a shackle key and a multi-tool. A harness or bosun’s chair can also come in handy if someone needs to go up the mast.

Check the safety and navigation equipment

Check that you have a foghorn, spare drive belt, torch and first aid kit. Then locate the lifejackets and count them.

Check for binoculars, a compass, a navigation plotter ruler and paper charts for your sailing area. Find out where the boat’s documents are kept, along with the contact details for the charter base or owner.

Check the gas and batteries

Ask how to use the gas cooker if you’re unsure, and lift the gas cylinders to get an idea of how full they are.

Take time to check the batteries and learn how to recharge them. Check the general condition of the engine, including the oil and coolant levels, and inspect the bilge.

Finish your inventory check before setting sail

You now know what to check when taking over your charter boat.
Once you’ve worked through these steps, you’ll be ready to cast off. One last tip for your first outing: take time to get a feel for the boat and how your crew works together. Stay close to port on your first day while you make sure everything is working as it should. Happy sailing!

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