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Owner’s guide: Preparing your yacht for the New Year
Published 05 November 2025
The New Year is a time for fresh starts and new opportunities – a chance to reflect, reset, and prepare for what’s ahead. The same applies to yacht ownership. Whether your yacht is privately used or available for charter, this is the ideal moment to take stock, make improvements, and set your course for a successful 2026.
At Burgess, our comprehensive suite of yacht management services are designed to support you at every stage, from refits and operations to charter planning and marketing. Here’s our expert guide to preparing your yacht for the year ahead.
Reflect on the season gone by
Before diving into refits or crew changes, start by reviewing the past season. How did your yacht perform? Were there recurring maintenance issues, guest feedback highlights, or operational challenges?
A post-season review with your Burgess yacht manager can identify areas for improvement and opportunities to enhance your experience – whether through adjusting itineraries, reviewing running costs, or planning upgrades that boost efficiency or charter appeal.
Schedule essential maintenance and refit work
There are three main types of refit: the annual maintenance break, five-year special surveys, and longer refits where the yacht is overhauled or upgraded. When annual yacht maintenance is properly planned, it helps avoid a wave of deferred costs later on. Neglecting small tasks can lead to a more complex (and expensive) five-year survey.
We spoke to Philip Naylor, Head of Marine & Technical Services at Burgess, about how our team navigates refits with precision – ensuring every project, from mechanical upgrades to full interior overhauls, is delivered on time and on budget. Read here.
Refresh interiors and guest spaces
Yacht interiors evolve just as fast as trends on shore. With a new generation of charterers entering the market, light-filled, modern interiors are increasingly in demand.
While classic designs still have their place, refreshing soft furnishings, updating lighting, or rethinking cabin layouts can instantly broaden your yacht’s appeal. Burgess’ specialists can advise on how to maximise your yacht’s market potential while retaining its character.
Review your crew and on board operations
A professional, motivated crew is essential to the smooth operation of any yacht. Regularly reviewing performance, training, and satisfaction ensures your team continues to deliver exceptional service.
At Burgess, our yacht crew management service supports every aspect of on board operations – from payroll and compliance to recruitment and performance reviews – so you can enjoy complete peace of mind while maintaining the highest standards of safety and hospitality.
Plan your 2026 charter calendar
If your yacht is available for charter, autumn is the perfect time to open your calendar for summer 2026. This gives your charter manager a head start to secure early bookings, adjust rates, and coordinate maintenance windows.
Your charter management team will also help align your refit or yard periods with the most commercially valuable dates, ensuring maximum availability when demand is highest.
If you’re not yet chartering your yacht but are considering it, discover our guide to preparing your yacht for the charter market – including the benefits of generating income and how to find the right charter broker.
Look at your marketing strategy
Your yacht’s image is often the first thing potential charterers or buyers see, so it’s important to keep it up to date. If your yacht has undergone a refit or refresh, updating your visual assets is essential. A strategic brand refresh can also breathe new life into your yacht’s story, helping it stand out in a competitive marketplace.
Burgess is the only brokerage house with a full in-house marketing team, offering services that range from yacht branding and storytelling to digital campaigns and asset creation. Whether you’re seeking a light refresh or a complete repositioning, we can tailor a solution that resonates with your target audience.
Insurance review
We recommend owners review their insurance cover at least once a year to ensure the policies and limits reflect the yacht’s operational use and expose potential risks.
Have you changed your yacht from private use to being chartered commercially? Has the number or nationality of your crew changed? Does the sum insured accurately reflect the current market value and replacement cost?
These are just a few things that may impact your insurance, but your Burgess yacht management team can provide guidance across all financial and administrative areas, ensuring your yacht continues to operate seamlessly.
Set your course for the year ahead with Burgess’ yacht management services
As the New Year approaches, take the time to prepare, plan, and refine every aspect of your yacht’s operation. With Burgess’ 360-degree yacht management services, you’ll have the confidence that every detail – from refits to finances – is handled by experts who understand your priorities.
Contact our yacht management team today to start planning your yacht’s next successful season.
To find out more about Burgess’ yachts for sale and yachts for charter, please contact a Burgess broker. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: London, Monaco, New York, Miami, Singapore or all other locations.
- Yachts, prices and availability are correct at the time of publication.
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