How much do delivery skippers make?

[lightstays]

I'm sure this is highly variable depending on your cert, the season, the client, crew expenses etc. BUT I'm salivating over a career change and was wondering how much skippers can make in a year.

thanks in advance

[Ram]

that depends on if they get paid !

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by lightstays

I'm sure this is highly variable depending on your cert, the season, the client, crew expenses etc. BUT I'm salivating over a career change and was wondering how much skippers can make in a year.

thanks in advance

I know two fellas that operate 75 ft long dinner cruise boats and they get paid aprox. $1000.00 week if things are good and less during the winter months...

[s/v 'Faith']

Delivery Captain here. Reality is even with great references, to work you are not going to make much. If you live aboard and have other income (mil retirement for example), you can almost make it work.

The up side is I have a pretty full passport and lots of stories.

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by lightstays

Re: How much do delivery skippers make?

Not much! I used to charge $300/day + expenses.... or slightly over the $10/hr that I pay the neighbor kid to mow my grass.

[Ram]

Originally Posted by capngeo

Not much! I used to charge $300/day + expenses.... or slightly over the $10/hr that I pay the neighbor kid to mow my grass.

wow never thought of it like that! _ I hear guys doing it for half that!

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Ram

wow never thought of it like that! _ I hear guys doing it for half that!

Yes, US$300 per day is on the high end for most "small" boat (35-65') delivery captains. And keep in mind that as a delivery skipper your day is really 24 hours long not 8.

So, OP, don't choose this "career option" for the money or the benefits (none). Money and benefits would be better at Wal-Mart.....but not the sea stories.

A lot of charter companies (one of your likely clients as a delivery skipper) are going to flat rate contract deliveries...which could leave you making way less than $300/day if things don't go well.

If you want to make money as a captain then you need to work your way up to higher tonnages....but then that's a lot like having a real job.

[capngeo]

LS: if you're a good boat driver, try offering lessons. I made a solid $50/hr (20 years ago) TEACHING people how to run their boats well.

[captnshaw]

That depends on how wet the ink is on your license. Most skippers have wet ink 100 ton licenses. Expect to make way more if you have a 1600 oceans with 20+ years experience. Commercial lead captains make $625.00 to $900.00 per day on the right assignment.
-N

coastalpilots.com

[boatman61]

Not as much as you think...

[Lagoon4us]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Not as much as you think...

That took you till post 10 to answer! I actually thought it was you under an alias trying to find out what the other guys are getting!!

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Lagoon4us

That took you till post 10 to answer! I actually thought it was you under an alias trying to find out what the other guys are getting!!

A lot more than me....
They're not so stoopid...

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Not as much as you think...

Less 20%?

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by captnshaw

That depends on how wet the ink is on your license. Most skippers have wet ink 100 ton licenses. Expect to make way more if you have a 1600 oceans with 20+ years experience. Commercial lead captains make $625.00 to $900.00 per day on the right assignment.
-N

coastalpilots.com

He was inquiring about DELIVERIES

BTW, the ink is wet on my 500GT..... but there is a small -6- in the corner

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

Less 20%?

ROFL..... I'm trying to forget that one...
But the next one was great... old boats rock...