Yacht delivery Co's and Engines?

[Black Eagle]

The biggest problem is the insurance.
Insurance companies tend to stick to every bureaucratic cavil for not paying .
As the skipper before leaving must check that the boat is perfectly in order, and as a boat with the engine out of order it could not be considered in perfect condition, and as the problem is knew since the leaving, there is a good chance that, in the event of bad problems, the insurance could create problems, and find a way to not pay.

In practice it depends on the navigation area,
for example, in areas with strong tides, it could be dangerous find yourself near a rocky cost without wind and without engine,
other times (ex. In Med, where there’s no strong currents) it can be done without problems.

 

[Spyro]

Thank you for your contribution.

You're welcome, you did ask why it would be a no no on safety grounds.

 

[dunedin]

Thanks for your contribution, I was just asking about delivery companies and engines really, rather than general advice.

What I posted I thought were relevant factors that a delivery company would take into account. If you list on an open forum expect open comments, otherwise you would just email the delivery companies surely. Out

 

[Uricanejack]

I think it will probably be a show stopper for most reputable delivery companies.
Insurance problems, A non functioning engine on a boat which is supposed to have an engine will probably be considered a major deficiency by insurance.
If you pay me to do something, I take on the responsibility and liability. Most will not wat this liability. Unless it’s a boat not intended to have an engine.

There is another problem which has nothing to do with insurance or safety. Most delivery skippers or companies will bid on a job based on how long it’s likely to take and plan on making a good speed and using the engine.
Sail only the time frame becomes unpredictable. To make it worth while. A delivery skipper or company will have to charge quite high for the distance. It may take quite a lot longer than a regular delivery.

An old Gaff cutter.. is it old enough to have been built without an engine?

Hiring an individual may be possible. I would wonder about the individual who is willing. I would want to check his references. Why. Because he is agreeing to do something most would not do.
Are they reputable or a cowboys?

Having said this. Sailing an old gaffer across the North Sea with no engine. Would be fun. If the boat were otherwise serviceable and seaworthy and fully insured for the voyage.
I would probably do it just for fun, expenses and a nice bottle of Malt. Which means I might be a cowboy. I’m certainly not a delivery Skipper
Unfortunately I live to far away and probably not available.

You might be best just to get some mates who are game, together for an adventure.

 

[LadyInBed]

You might be best just to get some mates who are game, together for an adventure.

My thoughts also, if he sailed it in sans engine then to continue on shouldn't be too much of an issue.

 

[langstonelayabout]

Having said this. Sailing an old gaffer across the North Sea with no engine. Would be fun.

This is my opinion on this too. It's a shame that our sailing skills and the policies of insurance companies effectively prevent people doing things that used to be normal.

People sailed boats and ships across the world (not just the North Sea) for many years for work, exploration and adventure. We're now effectively prevented from doing this by a broken engine. What has our society become?

 

[Resolution]

This is my opinion on this too. It's a shame that our sailing skills and the policies of insurance companies effectively prevent people doing things that used to be normal.

People sailed boats and ships across the world (not just the North Sea) for many years for work, exploration and adventure. We're now effectively prevented from doing this by a broken engine. What has our society become?

Blame the compensation culture and ambulance chasing lawyers.

 

[jordanbasset]

This is my opinion on this too. It's a shame that our sailing skills and the policies of insurance companies effectively prevent people doing things that used to be normal.

Not really, you can still do that. It is if you want to pay other people in a professional capacity you may have problems

 

[Wansworth]

I should imagine most harbours with commercial traffic would require you to take a pilot and pay for towage to ensure a safe entry to the port .Certainly sailing to anchour in a roadstead is no problem it’s the harbour bit.Many sailing barges took tos to enter harbours and many sailed in on their own but in those days there where boatmen about and it was a common daily occurrence

 

[Ladybirdgaffcutter]

Yes the "mates who are together for an adventure" version seems to be gathering momentum anyway
Some very interesting and helpful comments though, thanks..

 

[prv]

I sailed her into her present harbour, by myself with no engine.

In this case, what exactly are you looking to hire a delivery skipper for? You're planning to be on board for the passage, so it's not a case of needing a boat moved while you're busy elsewhere. You can handle the boat in close quarters under sail singlehanded and don't consider the crossing to be a big deal, so it's not a lack of skill on your part. It sounds more like you're seeking a couple of extra crew for the passage, rather than a delivery service as such. That seems like a far easier problem to solve - assuming an otherwise sound boat I'd be up for it myself (if you'd have me ) had I not already committed most of my leave from work this year.

Pete

 

[Neil_Y]

As long as you have a good anchor (or better still two) good chain, good rope I can't see it being a problem. The insurance doesn't require a full survey for deliveries as fare as I'm aware... sounds like a fun trip. Do you have an outboard and dinghy? we used one as a means to motor when there was no wind on a yacht with a broken engine once.

 

[Graham376]

Delivery trip from Hamble to Conwy, our engine packed up coming out of Falmouth, instructor on board (just two of us) just said "it's a yacht, what's the problem". As Neil_Y says, dinghy alongside even with small outboard will move quite a large yacht if necessary.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I'm impressed that it took so long for "it will invalidate your insurance" to pop up.

 

[Ladybirdgaffcutter]

In this case, what exactly are you looking to hire a delivery skipper for? You're planning to be on board for the passage, so it's not a case of needing a boat moved while you're busy elsewhere. You can handle the boat in close quarters under sail singlehanded and don't consider the crossing to be a big deal, so it's not a lack of skill on your part. It sounds more like you're seeking a couple of extra crew for the passage, rather than a delivery service as such. That seems like a far easier problem to solve - assuming an otherwise sound boat I'd be up for it myself (if you'd have me ) had I not already committed most of my leave from work this year.

Pete

I wasn't looking for a 'skipper' as such.. just thinking ahead, in case everyone I know is busy.

 

[Ladybirdgaffcutter]

I'm impressed that it took so long for "it will invalidate your insurance" to pop up.

Yes, quite They are fine with it luckily..and why not.

 

[prv]

I wasn't looking for a 'skipper' as such

Ok - that's normally what a "Yacht delivery company", as in the thread title, means though.

There are crewing agencies like Crewseekers which can help you find additional hands, either paid or for expenses or self-funding for the experience, with commensurate levels of skill and qualifications.

Pete

 

[LadyInBed]

The parameters have changed!

 

[rib]

They used to sail with out engines.........used to sink alot too

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

Do all yacht delivery companies insist on a working engine?
Well-found fully equipped yacht, 36 hr passage, no awkward bits at either end, well-trodden route, me plus two of them. Totally flexible on timing, according to weather.
But the engine is seized up.
To save my and their time with fruitless phone calls...does anyone here reckon the lack of engine would mean a no-no for professional crew to be involved?
The actual sailing isn't remotely difficult.
Are modern delivery crews actually able to sail without diesel engines, or is it asking too much? Maybe some insurance problem?
Thanks for up to date info, especially from delivery co's. ( From whom a "yes, in principle we would be up for it" would be very welcome...)
Thanks for suggestions, it would be my first ever time to employ somebody on a yacht delivery, rather than crewing on one..

One of our skippers sailed his own yacht (with no engine and no electrics) from the UK to the Caribbean. He did this single handed. Rather him than me to be honest...

It's not a question of our ability to do it, it's a question of whether it is responsible or safe to do it. We do all we can to minimise risk to vessel and crew. Our yacht delivery contract states:

"On the agreed commencement date the yacht must be:

• In commission, clean and ready for sea;
• All machinery and gear fully serviced, maintained and in full working order;
• Standing and running rigging fully serviced, maintained and in good working order;
• Sails in good working order, of sufficient quantity and appropriate for the passage to be undertaken;"

To this end we would not set off on delivery with a known fault such as a seized engine.

I recommend that you discuss it with your insurance company. Even if you do find someone to help you, you may find that knowingly setting off with such an issue invalidates your cover.

Pete