End-of-Season Checklist for Yacht Stews, Deck Stews, Chef Stews

We’re sharing what we’ve mastered in our decades of experience prepping yachts of all sizes for long voyages like crossings and deliveries, transport, and shipyard and maintenance periods. Whether you’re a chief stew, sole stew, deck stew, or chef stew, and whether you’re heading into a yard period or preparing for the next season, we’ve got you covered with expert tips and a 128-point end-of-season checklist (available for download at the end of this post).

But first, here are a few key things you’ll learn:

Clingfilm + Silver = Trouble: Learn what NOT to do and why.
Say NO to Cockroaches: Stop infestations before they start.
Why Bother with Deep Cleaning?: The real reason it’s a must.

1. Your Next Steps After the Med Season Ends

So, it’s the end of the Med season…what now? Depending on the yacht’s program and your contract, this question might be on your mind. If your yacht follows a dual-season program, it’s likely off to the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, or Australia for the European winter. But before the next stage begins, there’s plenty to do to wrap up this past season. You may have a short yard period, or you could be preparing the yacht for a long voyage or transport, or both. As a yacht stew, your responsibility is to secure and clean the interior to prevent damage during the passage and ensure everything is ready for you—or the next stew—on the other side.

The tasks for prepping a yacht for a crossing or transport are similar, with one key difference: the crew areas remain functional for the delivery crew during a voyage. If you’re wintering in a European port with an extended yard period, this is your chance to dive into detailed organizing, cleaning, repairs, and possibly some refurbishment projects.

2. Why Use an End-of-Season Checklist?

Using a shipyard or end-of-season checklist keeps you organized, saves time, and eliminates the guesswork from your responsibilities. It makes sure no detail is overlooked, leaving the yacht in excellent shape for the next part of the program.

Remember, these checklists are a guide. Your duties may differ depending on your yacht’s setup, and the equipment onboard may vary. Feel free to adapt it to suit your needs.

You might also like to read the following post:
Yacht Stew Housekeeping Guide

3. Detailing vs. Deep Cleaning: What’s the Difference?

Before we dive into the checklist, let’s clarify the difference between Detailing and Deep Cleaning. Both are essential but serve different purposes depending on the time of year and the condition of the yacht.

Detailing is all about paying close attention to the smallest details when cleaning. It’s the meticulous work that includes tasks like using cotton buds to clean inside corners, polishing metal door handles and hinges, and brushing fibers to ensure they all align in one direction. Detailing is what keeps the yacht looking photo-shoot ready during the season, even when time is tight.

Deep Cleaning, on the other hand, is for when you have the luxury of time—usually before or after busy seasons or during a shipyard period. It involves using warm water and mild detergent to thoroughly clean hard, non-porous surfaces like stainless steel, Corian countertops or similar materials, laminate, plastic, gel-coat, and painted surfaces. However, when it comes to certain porous surfaces or fabrics—like carpets, upholstery, and delicate materials where water and detergent can’t be used—that’s when you call in the professionals, also referred to as Contractors. They have the tools and expertise to handle those more sensitive jobs, ensuring everything is properly cleaned without damage.

4. Why Deep Clean the Interior?

Deep cleaning is crucial for the health and safety of everyone onboard. Without regular deep cleans, you could be dealing with:

Black mold: This nasty stuff can hide in air vents, air handlers, and any other damp areas. It can cause respiratory issues and allergic reactions.
Bed bugs: These little pests spread fast, hitching rides on luggage, clothing, and personal items. Infestations happen quickly and are often missed until it’s too late.
Insect infestations: Cockroaches, pantry moths, weevils, and even termites can find their way into food storage and other areas if the yacht isn’t cleaned thoroughly.
Harmful viruses and bacteria: Norovirus, E.coli, Legionnaires’ disease—these harmful pathogens can sneak onboard, spreading quickly and putting everyone at risk.

A proper deep clean tackles these threats head-on, making sure the interior is clean and safe for everyone onboard.

5. Mini End-of-Season Checklist

Here’s a quick look at some of the duties to consider as you wrap up the season:

► For All Yacht Stews:

Vacuum and have all mattresses—guest and crew—professionally cleaned. Bed bugs and black mold are no joke!
Inspect carpets for wear, damage, or stains. Have them professionally cleaned, and lay down protective runners once dry.
Polish all silver, wearing gloves. Never wrap polished silver in clingfilm or plastic, which can cause irreparable tarnish. Avoid wool, velvet, or felt, as they can be abrasive. Instead, use acid-free tissue paper and cotton bags.
Schedule professional servicing for washers, dryers, coffee machines, fridges, freezers, cryo chambers, gym equipment, etc.
Complete a full interior inventory, including photographs of artwork, sculptures, and ornaments.
Inspect table decorations, napkins, placemats and theme party boxes. Check items like fairy lights and stained or damaged napkins—now’s the time to update your purchase list.
Deep clean the stew pantry/pantries, including the dumbwaiter. Unpack cupboards, clean thoroughly, inspect all items you pack back in, and update your inventory. Don’t forget to clean the deckheads, walls, floors, sinks, and taps!
Inspect and inventory glassware, then wrap in protective materials like tissue paper or bubble wrap before stowing.
If prepping for a crossing, ensure all cupboards, drawers, doors, lockers, and hatches are secure. We’ve used wide blue 3M tape in the past—just make sure surfaces can handle it!
Wash and disinfect interior garbage bins, polishing any metal surfaces.
Send duvets, blankets, pillows, cushions, and throws for professional laundering—bed bugs and mold don’t take a break.
Deep clean all heads, including shower floors, descaling shower heads and taps.
Have the crew clean their cabins and pack personal items so you can inspect, clean, and address any damage.
Deep clean the crew mess, including fridges and appliances like the microwave and coffee machine.
Inventory guest toiletries, toss expired or open products, and update your purchase list.
Update the crew contact list and post it in the Crew Mess (if it’s not already there).

► For Chef Stews:

Unpack and deep clean all fridges and freezers. Check expiry dates and rotate stock.
Deep clean extractor hoods and filters, polishing metal surfaces.
Unpack and clean food storage lockers and cupboards, discarding expired or open items. Update your food inventory.

► For Deck Stews:

Unpack and deep clean the bosun’s lockers. Note which cleaning supplies and equipment needs replacing.
Unpack and deep clean the lazarette, updating the inventory as you go. Inspect water toys, tools, and equipment, noting any damages.
Polish all winches, including the anchor windlass.
Inspect fenders, covers and hooks. Wash fender covers. Polish fender hooks and other stainless fittings.

🗄 ✅ Download the 128-Point Best Ever End-of-Season Checklist here.

6. Final Say…

I know it’s tempting to leave these tasks for the next stew or for when you arrive at your next destination—especially after a hectic season. But try to tick off as many items as possible before the yacht relocates or your contract ends. Not only is it part of being a professional yacht stew, but it’s also great for your professional reputation.

And if you don’t believe me about not wrapping polished silver in clingfilm, check out what the experts at Christie’s have to say:

💡 Collecting Guide: How to care for silver

If you like what you’ve read why not share this post with your crewmates, friends, or anyone you think might find it helpful!