How to select a Boat Yard

What to look for when you choose a boat yard

Owning a boat requires a level of maintenance and consideration, especially for those which wish to store their craft for a season. As just leaving your boat in the water is a very quick way to ruin the hull (not to mention running the risk of the boat being confiscated for abandonment), hauling your boat onto a boat yard for those times when the boat will be out of commission for a season is necessary. However, one cannot just pick at random a boat yard and hope for the best. Here are a few things which need to be considered when you look for a boat yard.

Ensure that it is professional

Professionalism is the first and foremost aspect that a boat owner needs to consider. This goes beyond just having a nice persona. The business needs to run smoothly. Operations should be fluid and there should not be an ambiance of stress to the yard. If you feel tensions when you visit, then there is a high probability that there are tensions among workers. This could yield poor workmanship, damage to boats, or mismanagement of your craft.

When looking at the professionalism of the boat yard, look for well groomed team members. A person that takes pride in their appearance will take pride in your vessel’s aesthetics as well. Look at the facilities, are there any supportive or supplementary facilities nearby. Mechanics, engineers, and such are good to have close-by in case of an emergency. Finally, does the facility look professional? Is there a gate around the facility, is the yard free of debris, is there oil on the hard surfaces? Remember, if the yard looks unprofessional, it probably is.

Look at the grounds

While a boat yard may have a very professional crew, if the land is not well suited for boat storage, then it should be avoided. Primarily, if the ground is too absorbent the terrain could pose a threat to the vessel. Secondly, if the terrain shows signs of extreme erosion it should be avoided as the ground with such erosion may be unstable, even if heavy timbers are used and scaffolding is erected around the boat.

Apart from looking at the ground, look to the surrounding foliage of the boat yard. A good boat yard will have minimal if any large foliage. Trees are a risk as the branches, especially in areas where there are tropical storms, can break and damage the vessels. While smaller foliage is acceptable, facilities which have trees with extended boughs may not be ideal.

Look at the wood they use

When you have a boat, which is sitting on heavy timber, it is essential that the wood is of good quality. Measures should be taken to keep the hull off the ground to prevent damage. Additionally, timber should be maintained while the boat is in “the open air”. Even though heavy timber is less susceptible to damage than your average 2 by 4, if left on the ground moisture and parasites, such as termites, can infest the wood. And while a steel or metal boat may not be directly effected by such as their hulls are sturdier, you still do not want to run the risk of a decaying timber/damaged timber splitting and your boat smashing into the ground. Ensure that the boat yard uses quality beams and that they maintain the boats they have with care.

Choose a yard according to your vessel

There are several ways in which a boat can be lifted from the water. You have a travel hoist, the crane, or a slipway. Travel hoists are common and have a high reputation for being safe while cranes are a bit more problematic for boats, unless you have a seasoned driver. Slipways are rare to find and are best suited for vessels such as Chris Craft Wooden Yachts or other boats which only use wood in their construction.

Being as the Slipway is rare, those which have wooden luxury boats, such as a Vanguard, should find a yard with a travel hoist. Regardless of the method used to get the boat out of the water, you need to look at the straps and slings which are used by the yard. Additionally, find a boat driver who is open to suggestions, but professional enough to know what option to use. You do not want to have an operator who is only accustomed to steel boats lifting your wooden yacht, as the risk for damage would be increased.

Check the reputation

A reputation precedes a good business. Ask around and you fill find the best boat docks in the area.

Look at the contract

Once you have found a boat yard which is in a good location, is professionally operated, takes care of the vessels within it, and offers ample security for your boat when it is not staffed, then the last step is to draw up a contract. Read the terminology carefully and if necessary, hire an attorney to explain the contract to you. In many cases the liability of damage to your vessel is waved for hoisting. There are some companies which are good and do not require such, so again look at the contract carefully.

Need help finding a boat yard?

If you need help finding a boat yard, please look at Vessel Vendor boat services. Vessel Vendor has several boat management companies as well as a community of boat enthusiasts which can help you find the right yard for your craft.