Advice for starting a delivery boat business

[Uricanejack]

Originally Posted by Snore

LOL. Because on a delivery “stuff” happens. A good delivery skipper can navigate, sail and McGyver solutions to all sorts of issues. If you can’t do basic repairs like changing a filter, you do the customer a disservice.

Delivery Skipper yes
Average skipper, maybe. Although it might come in handy

Delivery Skipper essentials?
Chewing gum, duct tape, ball of string, pair of old ladies tights, a handful of paper clips and a leatherman

[Uricanejack]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Because ones crew on a delivery may/likely not know how to do so.. he's looking to do deliveries not skipper a frickin ship with engineers etc..
He should know at a minimum what the average boat owner should know.. and if he wants to be any good he needs to know that bit more.
Good enuf reason.???

For a delivery Skipper it’s a handy skill

For a delivery mate or crew, something to learn.

For a course instructor? irrelevant. Unless it’s part of the course
The criticism was directed at the guy being qualified as a Master and his ability to teach.
To be fair. He has himself said he still has things to learn before he takes on deliveries as a Skipper.

I might have wondered if he has the expierience to teach or instruct. His experience as a Master or Skipper is limited. But his experience as an instructor or trainer will more than make up for this.

Some of the most experienced sailor are not good instructors. Some of the best instructors are not the most experienced sailors.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Uricanejack

Why would a Master need to know how to change fuel filters? Is it part of the syllabus for a Master certificate?

Because ship happens.

Any captain worthy of the name should be capable of changing impellers. oil filters, fuel filters, replacing a faulty fuel pump (spare shoud be onboad), diagnosing alternator failure, delaing with minor electrical issues, fixing a bilge pump float or the host of other things that routinely go wrong on boats.

Unless one is skippering a boat with a first class engineer onboard and in that case have a coffee while he fixes all the issues that caused the engine to shut down or the bilge to flood or the autopilot to quit.

Hell my wife does all that stuff on our deliveries and she doesn't have a masters ticket.

[jmorrison146]

Originally Posted by jmschmidt

The TWIC card is no longer required for the vast majority of commercial, including delivery operations, of small vessels. It is now only required for shore-side jobs at secured port facilities, (few and far between for recreational and small commercial vessels) and crew members of large commercial vessels operating under IMO regulations.



When I got my USCG master's ticket over ten years ago the TWIC was required or you MMC (formerly know as US Merchant Marine Officer license) was in valid. The USCG wised up and realized that all commercial operations requiring an licensed operators don't involve big ships and secured port facilities. The CG eliminated the "no exceptions to TWIC" requirement and saved me $135 for the background check on my first renewal.

TWIC required for 100T MMC.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by jmorrison146

TWIC required for 100T MMC.

Only if the job requires access to controlled facilities, now. Otherwise, not mandatory.

-Chris

[Captain Graham]

Originally Posted by Uricanejack

Why would a Master need to know how to change fuel filters? Is it part of the syllabus for a Master certificate?

You are correct.
The USCG exam does not include anything about engine maintenance or troubleshooting.

The students in my class all have difference boating experience, some have mechanical skills and some do not.

Changing the subject to what a Captain needs to know to deliver a boat it depends.
I would say someone working on the Delivery (Captain or Crew) should have engine maintenance and troubleshooting skills.
But is does not have to be the Captain.

In my case I am an engineer who has worked on my own boats so I will learn how to do this work, but thats me and others may decide to rely on their crew.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Captain Graham

You are correct.
The USCG exam does not include anything about engine maintenance or troubleshooting.

The students in my class all have difference boating experience, some have mechanical skills and some do not.

Changing the subject to what a Captain needs to know to deliver a boat it depends.
I would say someone working on the Delivery (Captain or Crew) should have engine maintenance and troubleshooting skills.
But is does not have to be the Captain.

In my case I am an engineer who has worked on my own boats so I will learn how to do this work, but thats me and others may decide to rely on their crew.

An engineer who has worked on his own boats but cannot change over a Racor..
Stop digging mate..

[Captain Graham]

Originally Posted by boatman61

An engineer who has worked on his own boats but cannot change over a Racor..
Stop digging mate..

I am sure I could do it without training, but I want to learn a little more about diesel engines before I tell customers that I can do the work.

BTW When I do a delivery as crew I will be asking the Captain or owner to show be the simple engine maintenance before we head out.
But showing and doing are 2 difference things.

[Uricanejack]

There are many many branch’s of engineering and many professional Engineers who do not deal with any diesel engines or there ancillaries.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Uricanejack

There are many many branch’s of engineering and many professional Engineers who do not deal with any diesel engines or there ancillaries.

Very true.. there are a plethora of engineers these days all the way to Waste Disposal Engineers..
Back in the 70's they just called us 'Bin Men'.. just one of my many former 'engineering' occupations..

[john61ct]

And the term is used **very** differently in other jurisdictions, even just within the anglosphere.

[Captain Graham]

Just wanted to share some general P&L statements number for those who are interested.

2018 total costs were about $3,000.
1. Licenses classes and fees about $2,000
2. Setting up an LLC about $700
3. Other costs about $300

2018 Income about $1,500.
1 training class and 1 boat delivery for 2 days.

So I have a net loss of about $1,500

2019 will be the first full year and I still expect to have a net profit of about $4,000 to $8,000.

[katoema]

Are you toying at being a delivery skipper? Your net annual income is what I get per month averaged over a year. You should be looking at between 8-10 deliveries per year shared between long and those shorter ones of at least 5 days.

OK. you're starting out, but I am now in my 50th year!

Good Luck!

Martin

[Captain Graham]

Originally Posted by katoema

Are you toying at being a delivery skipper? Your net annual income is what I get per month averaged over a year. You should be looking at between 8-10 deliveries per year shared between long and those shorter ones of at least 5 days.

OK. you're starting out, but I am now in my 50th year!

Good Luck!

Martin

Thank you for your post.
It is always good to here from people who are in the business.

Yes I am toying or testing the waters for the next 5 years until I retire.
My current job pays well and I am only doing this 4 weeks per year during my vacations.
My business plan is to do a combination of training classes and deliveries.
See the OP of this thread for more details.

After I retire, I will still be doing this part time.
I am thinking about 4-6 months working.

My short term goal (before Retirement) is to earn $4,000 to $8,000 per year.
My long term goal (after Retirement) is to earn $20,000 to $30,000 per year.

Since 2018 was my startup year I expected a loss.
Moving forward I expect to make a profit.

I will be adjusting my short term and long term goals each year as things unfold.

I should add the income for $1,500 was for 14 days of work or $100 per day.
The 14 days included travel days.

[Captain Graham]

Originally Posted by Captain Graham

Just wanted to share some general P&L statements number for those who are interested.

2018 total costs were about $3,000.
1. Licenses classes and fees about $2,000
2. Setting up an LLC about $700
3. Other costs about $300

2018 Income about $1,500.
1 training class and 1 boat delivery for 2 days.

So I have a net loss of about $1,500

2019 will be the first full year and I still expect to have a net profit of about $4,000 to $8,000.

I should add the income for $1,500 was for 14 days of work or about $100 per day.
The 14 days included travel days.