Yacht delivery costs from Calif. to Hawaii

neilrob · 07-04-2008, 14:45

Firstly thanks again for the advice on my previous post re importation costs. Searching this site for previous posts also gave valuable information.
I want to buy a 40 - 43 ft (early 90s vintage hunter or beneteau) yacht in Cal , outfit it and sail it to the pacific. however I dont have sufficient experience to skipper an ocean crossing. I was wondering if anyone could give me a rough figure for the costs involved in hiring a delivery captain/crew to join me for the sail from California to Hawaii? I realise the more I pay, the better qualifed crew I get. Has anyone had any experience of this in this location?
thanks Neil

btrayfors · 07-04-2008, 15:55

Neil,

You may find it difficult to engage a truly professional crew to take an early 90's vintage Hunter or a Beneteau on a trans-Pacific voyage/delivery. While virtually any boat afloat can, with luck, good weather, and a skilled crew, make long ocean voyages, these boats are not designed for such sailing.

Are you really stuck on these designs, or are you willing to consider boats which are more suited to ocean sailing?

Bill

Delezynski · 07-04-2008, 16:36

Neil,

Consider doing more investing the boat you want to do that voyage in. You might trade off size for cost and get a stout boat.

Then, no matter which boat you decide on, try going down the west coast on gradually longer runs to build up your skill set. It would be much easier to hire a skipper for a two day run than a crossing.

Then on the run, don't let the skipper do anything (well almost nothing), have him tell you what to do and why you need to do it. Be very outright when you are hiring the captain and you should be able to find one willing to help.

If you are going to be the captain, BE THE CAPTAIN! Don't give your power to some one else. It will be your boat and your life, don't cut corners to try to rush it!

Just my 2 cents...

Greg

MarkJ · 07-04-2008, 16:41

And there were at least half a dozen Beneteaus in the tragic 1998 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - and none of them sank. So don't believe all the twaddle you read!

One boat I know not only finished that race tht killed 6 but won its divison the next year.

Wojo · 08-04-2008, 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkJ

And there were at least half a dozen Beneteaus in the tragic 1998 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - and none of them sank. So don't believe all the twaddle you read!

One boat I know not only finished that race tht killed 6 but won its divison the next year.

HEHEHEHEHEHE

dana-tenacity · 08-04-2008, 13:42

I have done similar deliveries in the past with owners wanting to gain experience. It was a while ago but i think I charged $2 per mile plus expenses. Good Luck.

donradcliffe · 09-04-2008, 04:56

The run to Hawaii is really easy (reach in up to 25k the first 3-4 days, then deep reaching for for 3 days, then running the rest, with a few night-time squalls thrown in for excitement) if done during the summer months, and you should have no problem with a Beneteau on that run. Because it is such an easy passage (as compared to coming back to the coast), you should have no problem finding a competent skipper for $2/mile. He will want to inspect your boat and make sure that the rig, rudder, electronics, engine, and charging systems have not been neglected.

07-04-2008, 14:45	#1
neilrob Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Central Coast NSW Boat: motorsailer 17.7oa The Road Posts: 24	Yacht delivery costs from Calif. to Hawaii Firstly thanks again for the advice on my previous post re importation costs. Searching this site for previous posts also gave valuable information. I want to buy a 40 - 43 ft (early 90s vintage hunter or beneteau) yacht in Cal , outfit it and sail it to the pacific. however I dont have sufficient experience to skipper an ocean crossing. I was wondering if anyone could give me a rough figure for the costs involved in hiring a delivery captain/crew to join me for the sail from California to Hawaii? I realise the more I pay, the better qualifed crew I get. Has anyone had any experience of this in this location? thanks Neil

07-04-2008, 16:36	#3
Delezynski Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Aboard Guenevere Boat: Nor'Sea 27, Guenevere Posts: 213	Neil, Consider doing more investing the boat you want to do that voyage in. You might trade off size for cost and get a stout boat. Then, no matter which boat you decide on, try going down the west coast on gradually longer runs to build up your skill set. It would be much easier to hire a skipper for a two day run than a crossing. Then on the run, don't let the skipper do anything (well almost nothing), have him tell you what to do and why you need to do it. Be very outright when you are hiring the captain and you should be able to find one willing to help. If you are going to be the captain, BE THE CAPTAIN! Don't give your power to some one else. It will be your boat and your life, don't cut corners to try to rush it! Just my 2 cents... Greg __________________ Our boat is our bedroom, the world has become our living room. Greg & Jill Delezynski Cruising aboard Guenevere Home Page:www.svguenevere.com

07-04-2008, 16:41	#4
MarkJ Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Asia - on Sea Life Boat: Beneteau 393 "Sea Life" Posts: 3,211 Images: 6	And there were at least half a dozen Beneteaus in the tragic 1998 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - and none of them sank. So don't believe all the twaddle you read! One boat I know not only finished that race tht killed 6 but won its divison the next year. __________________ OurLifeAtSea.com

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07-04-2008, 15:55	#2
btrayfors Senior Cruiser Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chesapeake Region Boat: 42' Bob Perry sloop, "Born Free" Posts: 1,428 Images: 3	Neil, You may find it difficult to engage a truly professional crew to take an early 90's vintage Hunter or a Beneteau on a trans-Pacific voyage/delivery. While virtually any boat afloat can, with luck, good weather, and a skilled crew, make long ocean voyages, these boats are not designed for such sailing. Are you really stuck on these designs, or are you willing to consider boats which are more suited to ocean sailing? Bill

08-04-2008, 13:42	#6
dana-tenacity Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Whangaparaoa,NZ Boat: The Squid is launched and sailing Posts: 684	I have done similar deliveries in the past with owners wanting to gain experience. It was a while ago but i think I charged $2 per mile plus expenses. Good Luck.

09-04-2008, 04:56	#7
donradcliffe Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Caribbean for the winter Boat: Beneteau First 456 Posts: 722	The run to Hawaii is really easy (reach in up to 25k the first 3-4 days, then deep reaching for for 3 days, then running the rest, with a few night-time squalls thrown in for excitement) if done during the summer months, and you should have no problem with a Beneteau on that run. Because it is such an easy passage (as compared to coming back to the coast), you should have no problem finding a competent skipper for $2/mile. He will want to inspect your boat and make sure that the rig, rudder, electronics, engine, and charging systems have not been neglected.