01
Freeze a clear written specification
Identify the model, layout, keel and rig choices, equipment packages, finishes and local additions. Use exact component descriptions where the choice matters. Attach the agreed specification through the appropriate contract process and retain a versioned copy. An email wish list and a brochure may not describe the same obligation.
Separate standard equipment, paid factory options, dealer-installed work and owner-supplied items. Ask who is responsible when those systems need to work together.
02
Price the complete Australian outcome
Ask for the price in its contractual currency and an itemised explanation of what reaches the Australian handover point. Clarify GST treatment, freight, insurance in transit, import and handling costs where applicable, yard work and commissioning. Obtain professional advice on tax and import treatment for the actual arrangement rather than applying a universal percentage.
Include the first berth, insurance, training, essential cruising equipment and a reserve in your ownership allocation. A delivered boat price is still different from the money needed for the first season.
03
Understand currency exposure and quote validity
Ask when exchange rates are fixed, which payments remain exposed to a foreign currency and how the quoted price may change. A supplier’s indicative Australian dollar conversion is not necessarily a fixed AUD contract. Record quote validity and any adjustment provisions.
Compare alternatives under the same assumptions and seek appropriate financial advice for your circumstances. Do not interpret a confident delivery estimate as protection against currency movement.
04
Choose options as connected systems
Start with the loads and operating routine before specifying lithium, solar, a watermaker, inverter or refrigeration changes. Ask the responsible professionals to confirm integration and service access. Consider the space, weight, charging and maintenance consequences of comfort equipment.
A useful options list includes the reason for each item and the other work it needs. Review the upgrade handbook for detailed planning questions, but have the new yacht’s actual system design confirmed by the supplier.
05
Distinguish factory fit from local installation
Ask which work is sensible at the factory and which will be done after arrival. Compare cost, access, support and responsibility for penetrations or changes to existing systems. Agree who approves the work and how it affects the relevant warranty terms.
Local installation is not inherently worse or better. The important point is a complete scope, suitable professionals and a clear answer when a fault crosses the boundary between supplied yacht and added equipment.
06
Use a like-for-like quote review
Create rows for yacht and factory options, local equipment, delivery, commissioning, inspections, training, taxes and exclusions. Mark each amount fixed, estimated or unresolved. A lower total with several unknown items is not directly comparable with a more complete quote.
Before accepting, ask the supplier to confirm the final specification and list everything required to achieve your stated handover outcome. Keep future optional upgrades separate so they do not disguise essential omissions.
6 QUESTIONS FOR THIS TOPIC
Specification and the real delivered price: FAQs
Is a published starting price a sail-away price?
Only if the offer clearly says what is included and meets your actual handover needs. Ask about options, delivery, taxes, local work and commissioning. Use a written scope rather than the headline.
Should I buy every option at the factory?
Compare integration, access, price and support for each item. Some choices need early decisions; others can be added later. Ask who will approve and support the final combined installation.
How should I compare quotes in different currencies?
Record contractual currencies, payment dates, exchange-rate assumptions and which amounts can change. Do not compare a fixed local total with a provisional converted overseas figure as though the risk were identical.
Can I specify lithium without changing anything else?
Have the supplier confirm the entire charging, protection, monitoring and critical-circuit arrangement for the chosen system. A battery choice alone is not a complete electrical specification.
What do I do with an allowance in a quote?
Keep it visibly provisional and ask what investigation or decision will fix the amount. Record associated work that could change it. Do not quietly treat the allowance as a guaranteed maximum.
Will expensive options return their cost when I sell?
Do not build the purchase case on that assumption. Choose equipment that supports your use and keep clear installation records. Future resale depends on the market, condition and the buyer’s preferences.
YOUR DECISION RECORD
Prepare your next professional conversation
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References and connected guides
- Official builder references and dated availability notes
- ACCC: warranties and consumer guarantees ↗
- Australian paperwork and settlement references
- Insurance questions for the actual yacht and intended use
Research checked 6 October 2026. General owner-planning guidance; obtain vessel-specific technical and transaction advice.