Time to Move

Its September (almost). The summer sailing season is coming to end, the days are getting shorter and plans are made to move your yacht for the winter. A migration to warmer climes.

Each year we see yacht Owners looking to escape the cold and stormy winters of the Mediterranean or New England by having the boats moved to the Caribbean. Motivated by long lazy days of island hopping or extending their charter income, the delivery needs to be carefully planned.

There are three basic methods of moving a yacht; overland by truck, loaded as freight on to a ship or on its own bottom by a delivery crew. Each method has its own merits to be considered. Having said that, if your 45ft catamaran is in Greece for the summer you will not consider a truck to deliver her to Antigua for the winter. So let’s consider shipping and professional crewed deliveries. A ocean passage can be a cruising delight, but it can also represent a logistical challenge. Many of our clients are constrained by time and work commitments who need to have their boat in a certain place at a set time, be it for a regatta or a charter and not be able to sail their own yacht to its next cruising area. The business of moving yachts has seen significant developments over the years. The leading company Reliance Yacht Management provides qualified crew, 24-hour support, weather routing, equipment supply and satellite tracking as standard. With shipping, we have seen options expanded with more destinations available. However it is restricted compared with crewed deliveries who are not constrained by schedules and dates. A professional crew can collect a yacht the day after its last charter in a small Greek harbour and starts its delivery direct to any marina you wish in the Caribbean. Crewed delivery gives you greater control over when and the yacht arrives

Also, you may want to join for all or part of the delivery. By joining the crew you can get to experience true ocean sailing whilst in the safe hands of a professional Captain.

Choosing A Yacht Transportation Company can be a daunting prospect. It can be with some trepidation that you trust your precious yacht into the hands of others. It is a false economy to consider a service purely on price. There are many factors to be considered but at the end of the day you need to be comfortable that your yacht is in the best hands and the company understands your needs. Take advice from your yacht broker. Ask for recommendations. Always ask for references and talk to other yacht Owners who have used a company’s services.

Reliance Yacht Management works closely with owners, dealers and charter fleet in all matters pertaining to yacht delivery and relocation, provisions, spares, fuel, technical support, weather information, security and crew travel.