If you’ve ever started a new job as a stew on a yacht that has changed hands (or just changed crew), you’ll know the first few weeks are a mix of discovery, confusion, and a few WTF moments. Some surprises are good—like discovering the previous stew left behind a beautifully organized service checklist. Others… not so much (who thought it was a good idea to stow paper towel up against an air handler?).

Today, I’m talking about the reality of joining a pre-owned yacht, including the checks, inventory, and deep clean that every Chief Stew, Sole Stew, Deck Stew and Chef/Cook Stew needs to tackle when stepping on board.

As my newsletter subscribers know, I’ve recently started work on a gorgeous modern classic sailing yacht. While this particular yacht isn’t the focus of today’s post, it got me thinking about all the pre-loved yachts I’ve joined before—and the initial experiences that came with them.

🌟 For those new to the industry, a period of maintenance and repairs typically follows a sale, giving the crew time to assess, organize, and bring everything up to the new owner’s expectations.

Unlike a new build, where everything is fresh out of the box, a pre-owned yacht comes with history—some of it well-documented, and some of it buried under years of misplaced files, questionable maintenance decisions, and the occasional mystery item tucked away in a hidden locker.

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What to expect in your new job as a yacht stew

Inheriting the Past

One of the first things you’ll notice when joining an existing yacht is the legacy of the previous crew. Sometimes, you’re lucky—they left behind detailed SOPs, a well-stocked yacht with essential interior and deck equipment in place, and an organized storage system (Rock stars! You know who you are! 💙). Other times, it’s clear that maintenance (or crew morale) took a nosedive long before you arrived.

Expect to find, or not find:

🔹 Lack of Maintenance

If an owner stopped approving funds for upkeep, expect to find worn-out linens, malfunctioning appliances, and that special kind of sticky buildup on galley surfaces.

🔹 Unlabeled Spray Bottles: Vinegar or Mystery Liquid?

There are always a few of these onboard. Nobody knows what’s in them or what they were used on. Proceed with caution.

🔹 Missing Items

When a yacht is up for sale, things disappear—sometimes into storage, sometimes into the abyss. Check for:

• Spare bedding
• Galley appliances
• Deck cushions
• Anything that should have stayed onboard but was stashed away

🔹 Crew Purchases That Don’t Fit Anywhere

Ever stepped onboard and wondered who thought this was a good idea? 

Expect to find:

• Oversized vacuum cleaners with nowhere to stow them
• Placemats that don’t fit in the table decor cupboard
• Cookware that doesn’t sit properly on the stovetop
• Random items shoved into any available space (because no one measured anything before buying it…

What to do first in your new job as a yacht stew

Once you’ve wrapped your head around the situation, it’s time to get stuck in. Here’s what needs to happen in the first few days:

Crew Meeting & Dividing Duties

The captain will call a crew meeting to introduce everyone and outline the upcoming repairs and maintenance period, along with the responsibilities assigned to crew and contractors.

A timeline and work schedule will also be discussed.

👉 Chief Stews: If your team is new, this is the time to define standards and expectations.

Inventory: What’s Here & What’s Missing?

Ideally, you’ll have an existing inventory to reference—but if not, start one now. For free downloads to help make your new job as a yacht stew easier, check out our Resources section.

🔹 Inspect all storage spaces, including:

• Cupboards, closets, and under-bunk storage
• Behind settees, bilges, and other hidden areas

🔹 Check if there’s a storage locker or shipping container ashore, as yachts in sales mode often have excess items removed. Look for:

• Extra bedding
• Spare uniform
• Galley appliances
• Decorative pillows
• Deck cushions
• Umbrellas
• Anything that should have stayed on board but was stored elsewhere

🔹 Check all safety equipment & first aid kits. This will likely be assigned by the captain or first mate.

Equipment Checks & Cleaning Cycles

🔹 Test and clean all major appliances:

• Ovens, dishwashers, washers, dryers
• Microwaves, stoves, fridges, freezers
• Vacuum cleaners, dumbwaiters, and any other onboard equipment

🔹 Inspect and deep clean small galley appliances.

🔹 Change out all water filters and descale as needed:

• Coffee machines
• Fridges and freezers (if applicable)
• Drinking water dispensers
• Multi-function taps/faucets (e.g., Quooker, Qettle)

🔹 Test entertainment systems:

• TVs, speakers, streaming services (because nothing’s worse than guests arriving and finding Netflix still logged into a random ex-crew member’s account).

🔹 Check lighting throughout the yacht and replace any burnt-out bulbs.

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Napkin folds not your superpower (yet)?
No stress—we’ve got you. Watch our video tutorials:
How to Fold Napkins for Superyacht Service: 10 Must-Know Folds

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Check & Discard Cleaning Products

🔹 Safely discard any cleaning products that are:

• Expired
• Unlabeled
• Not suitable for luxury yacht surfaces

‼️ FYI: If you’re making your own cleaning products (not recommended—ask me why):

• Always label bottles with dilution ratios and ingredients.
• Be mindful of ingredients—for example, don’t use vinegar on wood or marble!

🔹 Discard or down-cycle used cleaning rags & chamois.

• You never know where they’ve been used or what chemicals they’ve absorbed.
• Down-cycle method: Move them down the line—galley rags → laundry rags, window chamois → stainless steel chamois.

Inspect All the Essentials

🔹 Guest & Crew Cabin Essentials:

• Inspect all bedding, linens, and towels for wear and cleanliness.
• Check mattresses, pillows, protectors, toppers, blinds, and curtains.

🔹 Service & Tableware:

• Inspect cutlery, crockery, service items, placemats, chargers, and decor.
• Pro tip: When replacing items, make sure they fit in the dedicated storage space.
  • Most yachts have purpose-built storage, so replacements should be like-for-like in size.

🔹 Crew Uniforms:

• Check uniforms for signs of wear and damage.
• Ideally, you’ll have access to previous order details and a supplier on hand.
• If not, start reaching out via phone or email to source replacements.

🔹 Role-Specific Checks:

• Chef/Cook Stews: Inspect galley equipment, serveware, and cookware.
• Deck/Stews: Unpack lazarettes and lockers, inspect boat toys, and check deck equipment and hardware.

Create a Defects Log

As you complete the inventory and inspection process, keep a running list of defects that need attention. This could include:

• Scratched or dented soles
• Moldy mattresses
• Missing shower door seals
• Cracked mirrors
• Damaged locker hinges
• Any other maintenance issues that need fixing

Once your list is complete, give it to the captain so they can add it to the yacht’s job list and maintenance schedule.

Update SOPs & Crew Info

• If the previous crew left behind an SOP manual, review and adapt it to current needs.
• If no SOP manual exists, start creating one—or look for resources to help (There are checklists, templates, and guides in our Resources section.).
• Update crew contact lists, preference sheets, and uniform orders.
• Update cleaning and maintenance schedules, duty rosters, and checklists.
• Label all containers and storage boxes—if you don’t have a label maker, get one!

Purchases & Replacements

• Create two lists: a wish list (nice-to-have items) and a purchase list (essential replacements).
• When replacing items, always choose like-for-like in terms of size to fit within the yacht’s purpose-built storage.

How to keep your cabin work-free as a yacht stew

In all the chaos of getting a yacht back in shape and settling in to your new job as a stew, don’t let work take over your personal space.

I’ve seen stews stash vacuum cleaners in their cabins, keep cleaning products in bedside lockers, and even hide Swiffer mops under their mattresses (yes, really).

🔹 Your cabin is your sanctuary. Keeping it clutter-free and separate from work helps you mentally disconnect after long shifts.

🔹 If you’re staying onboard when you arrive, take a moment to carve out a clean, organized space for yourself—it makes a difference in how you unwind and recharge

My final bit of advice for you

Starting a new job on a yacht can feel overwhelming at first, but taking the time to do a full assessment and deep clean will help you:

✅ Get familiar with your responsibilities and your workspace.
✅ Avoid unnecessary expenses (like buying the wrong-size replacements!)
✅ Provision more efficiently (no more cases of soda stacked under the crew mess table!)

💡 To make those first few weeks easier, here are some key tips for a smoother transition:

• Set up systems that work for you and your team (if you have one).
• Double-check storage before ordering new items.
• Label everything (because future-you will thank you).
• And whatever you do, don’t let a vacuum cleaner become your extra cabin mate.

It’s a lot of work, but once you have a plan in place, the yacht will start to feel more familiar, and your day-to-day yachting life will run much smoother.

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Still looking for your perfect yacht stew job? Check out today’s top yacht crew job board:
Bluewater Yacht Crew Job Board

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