How to Prepare Your Yacht for Shipping: A Step-by- Step Guide from the Experts

Transporting your yacht isn’t just about choosing the right carrier; it’s about preparing your vessel properly so the entire experience is smooth, safe, and stress-free. At Cross Chartering Yacht Transport, we’ve handled everything from 40-foot sailboats to 170-foot superyachts, and one thing is always true: the better prepared the yacht, the better the outcome.

“Preparation is critical,” says Paul Haber, President of Cross Chartering. “It protects the vessel, saves time, and ensures a seamless loading and discharge process. A few simple steps can make all the difference.”

Whether you’re shipping to the Mediterranean for summer cruising or repositioning to the Great Lakes, here’s your essential yacht transport checklist.

1. Remove All Personal and Loose Items

Valuables, decorative items, and anything not bolted down should be removed or stowed securely.

2. Lock Down the Vessel

Secure and seal all:

• Hatches
• Portholes
• Doors
• Cabinets

This helps prevent water intrusion and structural stress during lifting, loading, and ocean transport. It also reduces liability risk.

3. Reduce Fuel and Water Levels

Lowering tanks to below 25% capacity reduces the vessel’s weight and helps comply with international safety and fire prevention protocols. It also ensures the yacht remains stable during lifting.

4. Disconnect Batteries and Electronics

• Turn off the main switches
• Disconnect batteries
• Secure or remove electronics where possible

Want more? Dive deeper into the topic with:

• Understanding Load-On/Load-Off (LO/LO) Yacht Shipping

• Best Times to Ship Your Yacht: Seasonal Route Planning
  

For additional insight into international regulations, documentation, and transport insurance best practices, we also recommend YachtWorld’s Guide to Shipping Your Boat.

Let’s Get Your Yacht Ready for the Journey

Whether it’s your first time shipping or your fifteenth, we’ll guide you every step of the way.

✆ +1 954‑686‑6902
✉ inquiries@crosschartering.com

⚲ We ship globally and specialize in routes across North America, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Let Cross Chartering Yacht Transport be your navigator in yacht logistics.

“We take pride in being the most reliable yacht transporter in North America, and it shows in every successful delivery.” – Paul Haber