Fair Price

[bobe531]

Not sure if this is the right forum but I would like to know what is a fair price to Captain a sailboat from Fort Lauderdale to Santo Domigo in the DR.

Boat is a 1983 Hunter 34. All my sailing has been mostly in Coastal water (Chesapeake Bay and Puget Sound). I brought her down from Annapolis to Fort Lauderdale but most of the trip was in the ICW. Since I have never done any bluewater sailing I figured it was best to find a person (crew) who knew what they were doing.

I got one quote for $6,000 ($400 per day) plus food and airfare. It was based on 12 days to sail to DR plus 2 days prep here and 1 day clean up at Santo Domingo. For the 3-4 crew quoted the total would be close to $10,000.

Also got a quote to have her shipped to the USVI on the float on and off ship for $8,600. This would be cheaper then to sail her down.

So two questions:

Is the $400 per day rate normal?
Has anyone had their boat shipped and what was it like? (okay 3 questions)

Thanks for the help.

Bob Ewert
S/V Blackhorse

[idpnd]

Why don't you advertise for some crew on one of the non-profit sites such as here or the cruiserlog crewing section, you may just find a couple of experienced sailors who will do it for fun

[boatman61]

Personally when I am asked to do a delivery my rate is either daily or by mileage... 120euro/day + expenses or 1.20euro/Nm...
$400 + seems pretty steep to me but then I'm a freelance with no overheads..
Moderators feel free to erase if the above contravenes Forums standards...

[Dockhead]

In 99.99% of cases when a person realizes his skills are lacking and it's best to turn to a professional, he's right. This might be the 0.01% case where that's not true.

I would spend the money on the boat, not on professional crew. Get it in fantastic condition, then find a couple of enthusiast, unpaid crew people, and go for it. In the right season, that run is not that horrible. Go for it!

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

In 99.99% of cases when a person realizes his skills are lacking and it's best to turn to a professional, he's right. This might be the 0.01% case where that's not true.

I would spend the money on the boat, not on professional crew. Get it in fantastic condition, then find a couple of enthusiast, unpaid crew people, and go for it. In the right season, that run is not that horrible. Go for it!

Sounds like a grand idea to me.... seems like you've only the need for 'back uo reassurance' to confirm you got it right.. don't need a 'pro' for that..
Dockheads got the right idea...

[maxingout]

If it cost about the same amount of money, I would have the boat shipped rather than have a delivery crew do the dastardly deed.

I am uncomfortable turning my boat over to a delivery skipper. It's not that I have anything against delivery skippers in general. But I have seen skippers that I would not trust with even my dinghy. I don't know how to tell the good from the bad, and I don't want to end up with an ugly result.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by maxingout

If it cost about the same amount of money, I would have the boat shipped rather than have a delivery crew do the dastardly deed.

I am uncomfortable turning my boat over to a delivery skipper. It's not that I have anything against delivery skippers in general. But I have seen skippers that I would not trust with even my dinghy. I don't know how to tell the good from the bad, and I don't want to end up with an ugly result.

Get them to do what I do...
go for a sail with them in your boat... if he/they handle it well your more relaxed about the whole thing... n they get the job.
You would'nt buy a boat or car without a test out... why buy 15 days labour without some reassurance..

[avoisine]

bob was the "Black horse" name chosen because of a unit name? I know of two reasonable delivery captains. Plus I'd go along for air fare and food. As I am permanently unemployed so a tip would be nice but no commited salary for me.
email me if interested and I'll get more info for you and put you guys in touch with each other. I am at avoisine at cox dot net

[bobe531]

Originally Posted by idpnd

Why don't you advertise for some crew on one of the non-profit sites such as here or the cruiserlog crewing section, you may just find a couple of experienced sailors who will do it for fun

Sounds like a good idea. Will give this a try when I get closer to departure day.

Bob E

[bobe531]

Originally Posted by avoisine

bob was the "Black horse" name chosen because of a unit name? I know of two reasonable delivery captains. Plus I'd go along for air fare and food. As I am permanently unemployed so a tip would be nice but no commited salary for me.
email me if interested and I'll get more info for you and put you guys in touch with each other. I am at avoisine at cox dot net

Name chosen is the nickname for the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Had the honor of serving with the Blackhorse 1967-68.

Would you still be interested in going in October. I had to get my knee fixed and will not be able to resume journey south for a couple of months.

Bob Ewert
S/V Blackhorse