Invest In The Extraordinary: How Sunsail Makes Luxury Sailing Affordable And Accessible
Behind the Scenes: How Your Sunsail Yacht is Maintained
One of the best parts of Sunsail’s Yacht Ownership Program is knowing your yacht is never left unattended. Whether you’re thousands of miles away at home, busy planning your next sailing trip, or stepping onboard your own yacht for a week of carefree sailing, a professional team is making sure your yacht is safe, cared for, and ready to sail.
But what does that actually look like behind the scenes?
From quick turnarounds and post-charter checks to storm-season preparation, winter storage, and even the final handover process, here’s how Sunsail takes the stress out of yacht maintenance, so all you need to do is enjoy your time on the water.
Between Charters: The Routines You Don’t See
Every time a yacht returns from charter, it undergoes a detailed inspection and turnaround process, so your boat heads back out clean, safe, and reliable. While specifics differ by model and base, owners can expect:
- Interior checks – Upholstery, galley equipment, electrical systems, plumbing, and air conditioning are inspected to make sure everything is in working order.
- Exterior checks – Lines, rigging, deck fittings, and sails are examined for wear. Small fixes are made on the spot, while bigger items are scheduled immediately.
- Engine and systems – Oil levels, filters, pumps, batteries, and electronics are carefully checked by trained technicians after each charter.
- Deep cleaning – The yacht is thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, and restocked, ready for you or the next guest.
This regular rhythm means your yacht is never left unattended for long. It’s part of the reason Sunsail yachts are consistently maintained to such a high standard, year after year.
Owner Tip: Take advantage of Sunsail’s provisioning service before you arrive. Stepping on board to find your yacht fully stocked with local wines, fresh produce, and ready-to-sail essentials turns your first evening aboard into a five-star welcome.
When the Unexpected Happens: Repairs and Incident Response
Even the most experienced sailors know that boating comes with a few inevitable bumps along the way. Whether it’s a little dock rash from a tight slip, a torn sail, running aground, or weather-related damage. The reassuring part of Sunsail ownership is knowing that you’re never left to handle these challenges alone or that your boat will be out of commission for months on end.
From the moment an issue arises, you can trust Sunsail’s step-by-step approach to ensure that every incident is resolved with speed, expertise, and transparent communication from start to finish.
- Immediate assessment – Base staff are trained to diagnose issues quickly. Whether it’s cosmetic or structural.
- Owner Communication – You’ll be notified about what happened, the necessary repairs, and the timeline for completion.
- 4-hour service commitment – If something goes wrong during a charter that affects safe sailing, Sunsail guarantees a technician will be on site within four working hours of notification (during base operating hours). This minimizes downtime so your yacht and charter guests are back on the water quickly.
- Expert repair teams – Sunsail employs certified marine technicians, riggers, and electricians, and also partners with trusted local shipyards for more complex repairs.
- Quality assurance – Repairs aren’t considered complete until the yacht passes post-repair sea trials and inspections.
Owner Tip: If you or your guests ever need on-the-water support, notify the base as soon as possible. The 4-hour commitment ensures fast action and keeps small issues from becoming big ones.
Seasonal Maintenance: A Deep Dive
As the sailing season slows, Sunsail bases dedicate the off-season to a complete annual health check of their fleet, ensuring every yacht is renewed and ready for the year ahead. Depending on location, this may include:
- Haul-outs – Yachts are lifted out of the water for hull cleaning, sanding, antifouling, and thorough inspections.
- Rigging checks – Masts, shrouds, and stays are carefully inspected and replaced if needed.
- Mechanical overhauls – Engines, generators, watermakers, and refrigeration systems all receive preventative maintenance and repairs if needed.
- Interior refresh – Soft furnishings, linens, and galley equipment are replaced or refurbished to keep the yacht fresh and comfortable.
Owner Tip: Plan an owner trip right after seasonal maintenance when your yacht will be in peak condition, freshly serviced, and ready to impress.
Storm Season: Safety First
Protecting the fleet during storm season is one of Sunsail’s top priorities. Every base has experienced dock staff, technicians, and managers who handle these preparations with precision, so even during hurricane season, you can rest easy knowing your yacht is in expert hands.
During off peak season Sunsail also taps into trusted local infrastructure for heavier work and post storm repairs. After Hurricane Irma swept through the British Virgin Islands, Sunsail relied on their trusted local shipyards and third-party surveyors to carry out large-scale repairs, and to quickly bring their fleet back for the upcoming season. This combination of local expertise and global structure is what allows Sunsail yachts to recover quickly and return to charter service after major weather events.
For Caribbean-based yachts, hurricane prep is serious business. Sunsail bases follow strict protocols to keep the fleet safe, including:
- Strategic storage – Hauling yachts ashore or securing them in reinforced hurricane holes.
- Securing systems – Removing sails, tying down rigging, and stripping loose items.
- Continuous monitoring – Teams track storm activity and adjust plans in real time.
Meanwhile, in the Mediterranean, the focus shifts to winterization; Hauling yachts ashore or securing them in marinas, draining and protecting systems, and preparing vessels for the colder months.
Owner Tip: If you’re planning a trip close to storm season, reach out to your base team. They’ll share the prep schedule and let you know when your yacht is scheduled for maintenance so you can plan around it with confidence.
End-of-Program Phase-Out: Ready for What’s Next
When your ownership program comes to an end, Sunsail doesn’t simply hand you back the keys; your yacht goes through a comprehensive phase-out process to ensure it’s in excellent condition for private use or resale.
The phase-out includes:
- Full survey and inspection – Independent and Sunsail technicians go over every detail of the yacht, from rigging to plumbing.
- Mechanical and system checks – Engines, generators, and electrical systems are serviced, updated, or replaced if needed.
- Cosmetic upgrades – From polishing and painting to interior repairs, the yacht is refreshed inside and out.
- Compliance and safety gear – Equipment is brought up to standard with current safety regulations and certifications.
For owners, the phase-out provides peace of mind and value. You receive a yacht that’s been thoroughly restored, with all major systems addressed, making it ready to continue its life as your personal yacht or to hit the market at its best.
Owner Tip: Ask your sales manager for the phase-out report. It’s not only useful for peace of mind, but also if you decide to list your yacht for private sale later on.
Behind the Scenes: People and Processes You Can Trust
What truly sets Sunsail apart is the people and the proven systems behind every yacht. Each base is staffed with experienced marina managers, technicians, engineers, riggers, and cleaners—many with decades of expertise—who treat your yacht as if it were their own. They understand not only what it takes to maintain a private yacht, but also the higher standards required for the Sunsail charter fleet.
From the everyday turnaround you’ll never see, to the four-hour response when something goes wrong, to the methodical way bases batten down ahead of storms or winter, Sunsail’s model is designed to keep your yacht earning and cared for year-round, without you chasing yard quotes or insurance paperwork. That’s the real behind-the-scenes story: professional teams, established partners, and predictable processes that let you focus on what you bought the boat for in the first place— carefree time on the water.
Put your yacht in the hands of professionals who treat it like their own. Contact our Sunsail Ownership Team today to sail with confidence and enjoy true peace of mind on the water.
Hanrie Bosch
Guest blogger, Hanire Bosch, is a professional yacht chef. Based in the Caribbean and Bahamas, since 2013, she has worked on boats ranging from 48 ft Leopards to 160 ft superyachts.
