Terms of Service

Effective Date

February 4, 2026

1) Agreement to These Terms

By accessing this website or requesting YachtWatchers services (including submitting a membership request form), you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the website or request services.

If you later sign a separate written service agreement, proposal, or work order with YachtWatchers, that document may add to or override parts of these Terms for the specific services covered.

2) What YachtWatchers Does

YachtWatchers provides dockside monitoring and related services designed to help reduce surprises for boat owners. Services may include routine visits, structured visual/system checks, photo documentation, digital reporting, and optional coordination of repairs or vendor support depending on your plan and your requests.

Your membership plan defines the general scope of routine checks (for example, “Keep It Floating” or “Keep It Running”), and additional services may be available a la carte (such as one-time inspections, remote buyer inspections, welfare checks, or hurricane preparation).

3) Important Limits (Not a Guarantee / Not Emergency Services)

Boats are complex and conditions change quickly. While regular monitoring can reduce risk, YachtWatchers does not and cannot guarantee that damage, loss, sinking, theft, mechanical failure, or weather-related incidents will be prevented.

YachtWatchers is not a substitute for marine insurance, a marina’s responsibilities, or your own required maintenance. YachtWatchers is not an emergency response service (like fire rescue). In urgent situations, we may contact marina staff, BoatUS, Sea Tow, or other approved resources, but response times and outcomes are not guaranteed.

4) What a Visit Means (Observation + Documentation)

A routine visit typically focuses on observation, basic functional checks where appropriate, and documentation (photos and notes). Reports are informational and intended to help you understand the visible condition of your boat at the time of the visit.

YachtWatchers does not provide marine survey services, engineering assessments, or mechanical certifications unless explicitly agreed in writing. Remote buyer inspections and one-time checks are not a substitute for a full survey, sea trial, or haul-out.

5) Access, Keys, Codes, and Owner Authorization

To perform services, we must be able to access your dock and (when applicable) your vessel. During onboarding, you will provide the access method(s) to use (for example, marina gate codes, dock box keys, or vessel keys).

• You represent that you are the owner of the vessel or you have permission from the owner to authorize services.
• You are responsible for ensuring marina rules allow access and contractor activity as needed for the services requested.
• We do not share keys or access codes with third parties without your authorization.
• If access becomes unavailable (code changes, lock changes, marina restriction), visits may be skipped until access is restored.

6) Vessel Operation and Moving the Boat

As a rule, routine membership visits do not include taking your boat off the dock or operating it under power. If your plan includes limited system checks (for example, basic engine start/run checks where applicable), those checks are performed dockside and within the agreed scope.

If you need the vessel moved for service, fueling, haul-out, or delivery, YachtWatchers can coordinate with a licensed captain, your marina, or your preferred yard so the work is handled by the appropriate professionals.

7) Scheduling, Weather, and Safety

Visit frequency depends on your membership level and route availability. We may adjust schedules for safety, marina access, severe weather, route disruptions, or other conditions outside our control.

We will not perform services in conditions we reasonably believe are unsafe (for example, lightning, unsafe docks, restricted marina access, active law enforcement activity, or hazardous onboard conditions).

8) Fees, Billing, and Plan Pricing

Pricing and inclusions are described on the Memberships page and/or in your written quote. Membership pricing is typically based on boat length overall (LOA) at a per-foot rate, subject to any stated minimums. Some plans or services may include an initial inspection/setup fee.

A la carte services, extra visits outside your normal cadence, repair coordination, parts, and labor (when applicable) are billed separately unless explicitly included in writing. If you receive a discount for a longer commitment (for example, an annual enrollment or similar), the discount terms will be disclosed before activation.

9) Repairs, Parts, and Third-Party Vendors

When practical, YachtWatchers may take simple corrective steps on the spot (for example, reseating a shore power cord or improving line/fender placement). Any repair labor beyond basic adjustments, and any parts/materials, are not included unless specifically stated in your plan or in writing.

If specialized work is needed, we can coordinate with your preferred mechanic/yard or connect you with local professionals. Third-party vendors are independent businesses, and their work is not controlled by YachtWatchers. You are responsible for approving vendor scopes and paying third-party invoices unless otherwise agreed in writing.

10) Emergency Notification & Authorization

If we observe a condition that appears urgent (for example, active water ingress, shore power overheating, failed bilge pump, broken lines, or storm-related hazards), we will make reasonable efforts to contact you promptly using your preferred contact method.

You should provide reliable emergency contact information and any marina/yard preferences. If you want YachtWatchers to authorize spending on your behalf in urgent situations, that must be agreed in writing (including any spending limits) before it applies.

11) Owner Responsibilities

You are responsible for maintaining your vessel in a reasonably seaworthy condition and for keeping required insurance and marina agreements in force. You are also responsible for ensuring the vessel’s systems are safe to access and operate in the ways you request.

• Keep batteries, bilge pumps, alarms, and shore power systems maintained per manufacturer guidance.
• Maintain adequate insurance coverage and comply with your insurer’s maintenance/attendance requirements.
• Disclose known issues (for example, chronic leaks, electrical faults, unreliable pumps, or security concerns).
• Ensure YachtWatchers has updated access instructions and marina contact information.

12) Reports, Photos, and Documentation

After each visit, you may receive a time-stamped digital report with notes and photos. Reports reflect conditions observed at the time of the visit. If you share reports with an insurer, surveyor, marina, or vendor, you do so at your discretion. YachtWatchers does not guarantee any third party’s interpretation, acceptance, or coverage decision.

13) Cancellations, Pauses, and Refunds

Memberships are generally ongoing monthly services. If you need to pause or cancel (for example, haul-out, extended cruising, or life events), contact us and we’ll work with you on timing and billing. Any minimum terms, annual prepayment rules, or discounts will be stated in your quote or enrollment confirmation.

14) Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, YachtWatchers will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages (including loss of use, loss of value, lost profits, or insurance premium increases) arising out of or related to services or website use.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, YachtWatchers’ total aggregate liability for any claim related to services will not exceed the total fees you paid to YachtWatchers for the specific service giving rise to the claim during the three (3) months immediately preceding the event. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations, so parts of this section may not apply to you.

15) Indemnification

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless YachtWatchers from claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses arising from (a) your breach of these Terms, (b) your vessel’s condition, (c) your instructions to perform services beyond the stated scope, or (d) your relationships and disputes with marinas, insurers, or third-party vendors, except to the extent caused by YachtWatchers’ gross negligence or willful misconduct.

16) Force Majeure

YachtWatchers is not responsible for delays or failures caused by events outside our reasonable control, including severe weather, hurricanes, marina closures, power outages, government actions, labor disruptions, or emergencies.

17) Website Use, Links, and Intellectual Property

The website and its content are provided for informational purposes. You agree not to misuse the website, attempt unauthorized access, or interfere with site operation. Third-party links are provided for convenience; YachtWatchers does not control or endorse third-party sites.

YachtWatchers content, branding, and website materials are protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may keep and use your visit reports and photos for your personal boat ownership needs (for example, maintenance records), but you may not publish or commercially exploit them in a way that misrepresents YachtWatchers without permission.

18) Privacy

Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect and use information. Please review it here: Privacy Policy.

19) Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will update the Effective Date on this page. Continued use of the website or services after changes means you accept the updated Terms.

20) Governing Law & Venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict-of-law rules. Any dispute arising from these Terms or services will be brought in the state or federal courts located in Galveston County, Texas, unless the parties agree otherwise in writing.

21) Contact Us

Questions about these Terms? Call (409) 977-0738 or Email us.

Note: This Terms of Service page is a general template for website + service terms. For maximum protection, have a Texas attorney review it and (optionally) create a separate signed “Service Agreement / Liability Waiver” for onboard work.