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mrlee · 16-02-2015, 09:17

Hi, I am in the process of talking to people for the job (pleasure) of bringing my boat to me. What questions should I be asking them? I don't want to sound like a jerk, but I guess there are some things I need to ask that I just am not aware of...What is the normal compensation etc...Any help will be appreciated guys, THANKS

SonjaD · 17-02-2015, 04:59

I would contact a couple of professional delivery companies and get quotes and ask what is included in the contract price. Good luck.

**HappyMdRSailor** · 17-02-2015, 05:15

Sail delivery or ...

TRUCK....

slight differences required....

**boatman61** · 17-02-2015, 05:39

Experience of the route..
Proof in some form of claimed miles done and satisfied customers in the form of references..
Yacht delivery low end where we operate is very much an unregulated industry with a lot of us freelancers of varying quality floating about..
Everyone's looking for a bargain and its a bit like Amazon, the same object with several sellers with wildly differing prices.
With some.. the one man bands

.. your insurance would have to cover the trip.. so the skipper needs to be acceptable to your company.. but that'll only cost you $2000/1000 miles.. + travel and delivery expense's.. for the skipper.
A company with overheads will be $300/day+ and expense's on top..
With both.. at the other end you'll either be chuffed.. or gutted.

**HappyMdRSailor** · 17-02-2015, 05:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

Experience of the route..
Proof in some form of claimed miles done and satisfied customers in the form of references..
Yacht delivery low end where we operate is very much an unregulated industry with a lot of us freelancers of varying quality floating about..
Everyone's looking for a bargain and its a bit like Amazon, the same object with several sellers with wildly differing prices.
With some.. the one man bands

.. your insurance would have to cover the trip.. so the skipper needs to be acceptable to your company.. but that'll only cost you $2000/1000 miles.. + travel and delivery expense's.. for the skipper.
A company with overheads will be $300/day+ and expense's on top..
With both.. at the other end you'll either be chuffed.. or gutted.

What???

Are you a truck driver now???

Do they call it a lorry over there, or is that just for that country with the crappy food???

**boatman61** · 17-02-2015, 06:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

What???

Are you a truck driver now???

Do they call it a lorry over there, or is that just for that country with the crappy food???

Some of us charge by the mile... others by the day...
Van's
Lorries/Wagons (trucks)
Artic's (trailers)

vmattiola · 17-02-2015, 06:45

Whatever price they give you, I'll do it for cheaper!

Ha but in honestly, I'd ask about their
-miles/experience offshore
-previous history of deliveries
-familiarity with the route
-familiarity with the vessel or similar vessels
-at least 2 or 3 recent references from folks who they've sailed with
-how they're going to choose a crew and if the crew will be paid
-and sometimes I like to ask people about the most significant challenge they've overcome while sailing offshore too, just to see what they say.

Often with routing, crew number, expected travel time/cost and such, I'll have a plan already formulated then ask the skipper or crew for their own opinion.....see if it matches up with yours! If they give you a proposed route that fights the Gulf Stream the whole way, maybe they don't know what they're doing. Or if they, for example, say that Chesapeake to BVIs is a 20 day trip....and they need to be paid by the day....maybe they're not the right person either.

All in all, it's all about trust. Get to know the person before committing to anything because like you said, they are having the pleasure of bringing your boat to you, and that boat is your life! If I can go have a beer with a guy before committing to a job, that's the most tried and tested way of deciding who I want to sail with.

Hope everything goes well for you! And remember, I'll do it for cheaper!

**boatman61** · 17-02-2015, 06:52

The deal breaker I've often found is the travel costs to and from the boat.. in your case.. me being in Portugal.. the airfares to and from would likely cost as much as the job..
Folk forget this part.. till the bill.
Sheesh... I miss the old 'stand by's'.. where if you were happy to sit it out in Heathrow or Gatwick for a few hours you could grab a 2hrs notice flight for a fraction.. sigh..

**s/v Beth** · 17-02-2015, 13:28

References. And check them. Anybody can talk the talk, but walk the walk is what is needed here.
The possible exception to the rule is Boatman. I would let him sail my boat by just showing up.

**boatman61** · 17-02-2015, 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

References. And check them. Anybody can talk the talk, but walk the walk is what is needed here.
The possible exception to the rule is Boatman. I would let him sail my boat by just showing up.

Your only saying that coz I don't work the States...

Cheers mate..

mrlee · 17-02-2015, 20:15

Great you all...Now I have at least an idea of the right things to ask etc...Hey, if anybody out there is close to Houston/Kemah and wants a nice boat to sail for 5 or 6 days...let me know...
Muchas gracias muchachos!

fjwiley1 · 17-02-2015, 20:34

Boatman you know we all enjoyed following your "Spot" from Ft. Lauderdale across the Pond....👍

Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

**HappyMdRSailor** · 18-02-2015, 05:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

Your only saying that coz I don't work the States...

Cheers mate..

By choice... Or is your name on a list somewhere...???

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlee

Great you all...Now I have at least an idea of the right things to ask etc...Hey, if anybody out there is close to Houston/Kemah and wants a nice boat to sail for 5 or 6 days...let me know...
Muchas gracias muchachos!

mrlee...

Post a new request here for the delivery... With some details... Kemah to where??? Time table, boat/equip, pure delivery or ride along...

You'll get a few offers, and you can start vetting them out!