Whenever a customer calls, emails, texts, or stops by with a service request, your first step should be opening a new order in Boatyard. Resist the urge to jot it down on a sticky note or leave it in your inbox for later! Getting into the habit of entering every customer request into Boatyard is the most important step to keeping your business streamlined and organized.
Creating a service order in Boatyard is quick and easy! Check out our video tutorial or follow the step-by-step instructions below.
How to Create a New Service Order
Log in to Boatyard.
Click on the blue "New Order" button on the right side of your dashboard.
The Create Order window will open and you can begin!
Note: If you have a work order PDF from IDS or DockMaster, you can upload it in the Create Order window instead. Boatyard creates the order from it, and adds the customer and boat if they are new.
Step 1: Select or Create a Customer
You’ll first be asked to select the customer for this order.
If the customer already exists
Search by first name, last name, or email address.
Select the correct customer from the list.
If the customer does not exist
Click Add New to create a new customer record.
Enter the required contact information:
First Name
Last Name
Email Address
Phone Number
Note💡 The address field on this screen is for the customer’s address, not the boat’s location.
Step 2: Select or Add a Boat
After selecting a customer, you’ll be prompted to choose the boat associated with the order.
If the boat already exists:
Select the correct boat from the list.
Confirm that all boat information is accurate.
Click Continue.
If the boat does not exist
Click + New Boat.
Enter the boat's make, model, year and length. The other details, such as the boat's name, HIN and registration, are optional.
(Optional) Click the Location tab and enter the address where the boat is physically located, so your team knows where to find it.
(Optional) Click the Engines tab to add the boat's engines.
Click Create.
Once complete, proceed to the next step.
Note💡 If the selected customer and boat already have open orders, Boatyard will prompt you to either continue with an existing order or create a new one. This helps you plan your team's work efficiently and communicate effectively with your customers.
Step 3: Select Services
On the final screen, choose the services requested by the customer.
Available services are pulled from the services you’ve set up in your Boatyard account.
If a service is not listed, click + New Service to add it. Click here to learn more about building your service menu.
For each service, you can:
Choose when the customer needs it: Flexible, As soon as possible, On a specific date or It's complicated
Add special instructions (for example: “Please remember to plug the livewell.”)
Once everything is set, click Create Order.
What Happens Next
Your order is now created and automatically assigned to you. From the order, you can:
Begin adding line items and send the customer an estimate
Send an invoice to the customer
Track progress and communicate updates
All customer, boat, and service details are now documented in one place—keeping your operation organized and your team aligned.