Where escrow fits the yacht process
- Holding the initial deposit on acceptance of offer
- Securing funds through survey and sea-trial conditions
- Releasing on satisfactory survey or refunding if terms fail
- Final settlement on closing and title transfer
Survey and sea trial
Escrow terms are typically tied to a satisfactory marine survey and sea trial. If the vessel fails the agreed conditions, the structure protects the buyer’s deposit rather than leaving it at the mercy of the seller.
Cross-border and registration
Yachts are frequently registered offshore and sold across jurisdictions. Escrow provides a neutral settlement point that does not depend on either party’s local legal system to enforce.
