Shipping a yacht is not shipping a large piece of cargo. The hull is designed to be carried by water, not slings, and every wrong lifting point leaves a permanent mark.

Start from the figures

Before anything else we need: the length, beam, height and empty weight. These four decide the whole shipping method — a vessel’s deck, a container or a semi-submersible vessel.

The lifting-point drawing

The most important document in the operation. It is issued by the builder and shows exactly where the slings go, according to the weight distribution. Without it we would be working by estimate — which we do not accept for a valuable boat.

If it is not available, we inspect and calculate the points by engineering before the lift.

What happens the day before shipping

Draining the fuel to the permitted level.
Disconnecting the batteries.
Securing loose equipment on deck.
Closing openings and vents.
Removing whatever adds height, where needed — the radar and masts.
A full photographic record of the hull.

Shipping methods

On the deck of a cargo vessel — the most used for mid-sized yachts.
Inside a container — for small boats and jet skis.
Semi-submersible vessels — for large ones, arranged by route and season.

What sets the price?

Dimensions and weight — the first factor.
The shipping method and how available it is in the season.
The departure and arrival marinas and how they are equipped.
Whether dismantling and reassembly are needed.
Marine insurance — which we strongly recommend here.

A final tip

Ask whoever ships your yacht: “How do you set the lifting points?” — if the answer is “by experience”, with no mention of the builder’s drawing, look for someone else.

Yacht Shipping Guide