Yacht Handover Guidelines & Phase-Out Standards

What to Expect During Your Yacht Handover

Before final delivery, each yacht undergoes a thorough inspection and servicing process to meet The Moorings’ high standards for quality and seaworthiness. This guide outlines the condition you can expect across all major systems—from engines and electrical panels to rigging, sails, and cosmetic finishes. While normal wear and tear is to be expected from charter use, all equipment will be functional, safety gear complete, and key systems tested to ensure a smooth ownership transition.

Equipment Condition Guidelines

Windlass

Criteria	Standard
Operation	Operates electrically up and down; manual handle provided if model allows; brake and freewheel operate; chain does not skip under vertical load.
Cosmetics	Casing clean; There may be minor surface corrosion evident (fair wear and tear).
Wiring	Sound and secure; There may be minor signs of corrosion (fair wear and tear).

Batteries

Criteria	Standard
Voltage Level	Battery voltage ~12.5V (condition is not measured by perceived length of life).
Wiring	Sound and secure; Terminals will be secure with minor signs of corrosion (fair wear and tear).
Security	In battery boxes if originally supplied; otherwise secured with tie-straps.

Pumps

Criteria	Standard
Operation	All pumps operational; bearings clean and greased.
Wiring	Good condition and secured; connections clean with minor corrosion (fair wear and tear).

Engine / Generator

Criteria	Standard
Gauges & Alarms	All function correctly.
Inspection	Where there is doubt in the condition of the engine; owner may commission qualified third party to inspect the engine at their own expense.
Generator	Functions and handles rated load; cosmetically within reasonable condition.

Bimini / Dodger

Criteria	Standard
Cloth	Good condition with minimal wear; repairs/patches no greater than 6″ x 6″; similar color; reinforced boom tabs not considered patches.
Acrylic	No cracks or holes; discoloration may occur (fair wear and tear).
Frame	Stainless frame secure and clean; no surface rust; clips/straps taut and functional.

Electronic & Sailing Instruments

Criteria	Standard
Operation	Speed/Log, Depth, Wind, and Autopilot fully functional; autopilot heading within ±10° of ship’s compass; some resistance from drive is normal.
Substitution	Equivalent quality/performance instruments may be substituted as models evolve.
Cosmetics	UV color degradation of covers/casings is normal in tropical latitudes.

GPS

Criteria	Standard
Function	If fitted, provides accurate position fixes; if hand-held per specified equipment list, presented to Owner at handover.

12V and 110V Panels

Criteria	Standard
Breakers & LEDs	All sound and operational; LEDs function.
Labeling	Labels in place at each breaker.
Meters	All meters and gauges near panels function and read correctly.

Toerails

Criteria	Standard
Integrity	Secure with no water leaks.
Corrosion	Minor surface corrosion is normal wear and tear.
Damage Limits	Minor damage acceptable up to 8″ (20 cm) continuous length; indentations ≤ 1/2″ (12 mm); no more than three areas per section; otherwise replace section. The replacement of one section of toerail will not give reason for replacement of other sections for cosmetic reasons.

Stanchions & Lifelines

Criteria	Standard
Stanchions	Straight with no surface rust; some play/looseness normal due to design; no leaks at bases.
Lifelines	Secure within manufacturer standards; no broken/severely corroded strands; minor rust at terminals acceptable; gates have functional hooks.

Halyards

Criteria	Standard
Length & Condition	Correct length; good condition; minor abrasion/stiffness/furring and UV fading normal.
Completeness	All halyards as originally supplied with the yacht will be in place, each with a shackle (threaded or snap).

Rigging

Service	Checked and tuned by experienced staff; serviced per annual schedule.
Inspection	Spreaders and masthead physically inspected; secure with no corrosion/sharp edges.

Anchor, Chain & Warp

Criteria	Standard
Anchors	Two anchors on board; galvanized finish or gray epoxy paint.
Chain	All items per equipment spec on board; within 3 months of expiry at handover if applicable.
Warp	Discoloration / aged look is expected; severe chafe or broken strand requires replacement.

Safety Gear

Criteria	Standard
Completeness	All items per equipment spec on board; within 3 months of expiry at handover if applicable.
Condition	Good, clean, dry, and correctly stowed.

Keel

Criteria	Standard
Fairing	Builders/Moorings do not fair keels; mildly uneven finish expected. Due to the reaction between salt water, iron, and copper based anti-fouling paints, some small paint blisters that may be weeping rust can appear on the keel. These are considered normal and an unavoidable occurrence.
Iron Keels	Rust and rust streaks at keel/hull joint are normal occurrence.

Antifouling

Criteria	Standard
Annual Haul	Annual haul and paint lead to some buildup/unevenness (normal).
Recency	Hauled and bottom painted within 1 year of handover per The Moorings standard operating procedures.

Graphics & Logos

Criteria	Standard
Treatment	Remove the word “MOORINGS” and model designation numbers from both hull sides. Repair or replace blue and red stripes as required. Repaint boot stripe if needed during the final haul out. Remove remaining glue residue from graphics as reasonably as possible. Remove all “MOORINGS” identity logos from coach roof sides. Remove the Moorings logo from both sides of the mainsail and the mainsail cover.

Criteria

Standard

Treatment

Remove the word “MOORINGS” and model designation numbers from both hull sides. Repair or replace blue and red stripes as required. Repaint boot stripe if needed during the final haul out. Remove remaining glue residue from graphics as reasonably as possible. Remove all “MOORINGS” identity logos from coach roof sides. Remove the Moorings logo from both sides of the mainsail and the mainsail cover.

Hatches & Windows


Integrity	Sound; hinges/locks functional; watertight (hose test if in doubt).
Acrylic	No cracks: crazing from UV is normal; replace acrylic only if interior view is clouded/distorted. Replacement of only the Acrylic, and not the complete hatch, or upper frame will be deemed to be an acceptable repair.

Bedding


Provisioning	Furnished with bedding/linens per original equipment list; good condition and freshly laundered.

Galley Equipment


Provisioning	Equipped per original equipment list; items clean, in good condition and neatly stowed.

Stove & Gas Bottles


Stove	Fully functional; stove and surrounding area clean;
Gas Bottles	Two full bottles supplied; safety warning label present in/under gas locker lid.
Gas Line	Lines in good condition and secured; flexible hose within expiry; LPG system pressure-tested in presence of Owner/Representative.

Varnished or Painted Surfaces

Finish	Well-varnished/painted, sound and cosmetically pleasing per procedures.
Aging	Wood color changes over time; sunlight effects normal; black tinge not necessarily structural.
Wear	Chips/dents expected; cosmetically repaired as practical.

Gelcoat Surfaces


Minor Defects	Minor stress cracks, voids, and chips not exposing underlying fiberglass layers are normal wear and tear.
Repairs	Performed per manufacturer guidelines and standard marine maintenance practices.

Rudder & Bearings


Rudder	Sound with no chips/cracks; bearings secure and functional with no binding; up to ~3 mm side-to-side play acceptable.

Steering System


Wheel & Brake	Wheel clean/polished; leather sound (some chafe or surface damage acceptable); brake functions as a tensioner (not a lock).
Chain & Cables	No excessive play; cables taut and secure; All clamps, nuts, bolts and other securing devices will be in good condition. Chain clean and greased.
Quadrant	Sound and securely fixed to rudderstock with no play.

Sails


Condition	Sound condition in accordance Moorings standards; weathering/discoloration normal (Seamcoat may discolor without affecting integrity).
Repairs	Chafe/damaged stitching repaired; Genoa UV covers sound; sail cover properly fitted; Moorings logo removed from sail cover.

Cushions & Soft Furnishings


Condition	Sound condition per vessels specifications; small tears (≤ 0.5 inch) and stains considered fair wear and tear.

Faucets & Shower Fixtures


Function	All faucets and shower fixtures function as intended; moderate pitting is expected (fair wear and tear).

Floorboards


Condition	Small indentations, blemishes, scratches and scuffing is expected (fair wear and tear) as long as not more than 50 mm in size or deeper than 5 mm and not more than 5 dents in an area of 1 M.

Cabinetry Surfaces


Condition	No scratches longer than 50 mm in size or deeper than 5mm and not more than 5 dents in an area of 1M.

Joinery


Condition	Small glue marks are acceptable if contained in the finish of the wood. No bubbles larger than 1.5mm in any 75mm area. Scratches 10mm long are acceptable. Small indentations are acceptable as long as no cracks or splits are visible.

Warranty

Part of Moorings Yacht Ownership is knowing that Moorings has the best yacht warranties in the industry. They are detailed and concise and negotiated specifically by us with the yacht builders for the conditions of chartering. Moorings also take the repair of yachts seriously. That is why we have developed sound maintenance schedules and adhere to manufacturers’ guidelines when making repairs.