[WannabeeYhtsman]

I was very curious as to the maximum size boat/yacht an owner would be allowed to operate without having any Captain experience. I would think that a yacht (Vessels over 65-70 feet) would be governed like airplanes or even 18 wheelers. Just because you can afford to buy one don’t mean you would be allowed to operate it without proper licencing?

As an example, I like the expedition style lines of the 90-100' Inace aft pilot house yachts. If “my ship where to come in” and I wished to purchase one to self captain and travel to far off ports of call, would most ports of call not allow you to enter without proper captain papers?
Can harbor pilots be hired to help with the lack of experience and captain your vessel into the port? Would you even be allowed on the open water by the coast guard?

I know this sounds like a recipe for disaster, Its more a curious question.
This is just a little pipe dream but I do have limited boating experience with houseboats, runabouts, and owned a small 24' daysailer before.

Cheers all

[Love my Woodies]

Hi nieghbour;
In the Great Lakes,The St Lawrence River and into the Oceans of this little planet we call Earth you do not need any license to captain your dream yacht.
Now,having soothed your concerns about not having to hire/pay an intelligent/experienced Captain for legalities,peace of mind and most importantly ,safety for you and your non-paying passengers,NO insurance company will give you any type of insurance to ply any waters unless you are safely tied to the dock.Most harbour/dock masters will not allow unqualified captains at the wheel in thier midst because it is disrespectful of the "men of the sea" and just asking for trouble and danger.
When your ship comes in,hopefully soon,know that you can take the wheel anytime you wish.I believe by then you will hire the best lic.Captain you can find at any price because then you can enjoy your fantasy while your Captain takes care of your reality.
Welcome to the forum.
David-also waiting for my boat to come in,I dont want a ship!

Cheers

[nas130]

While getting my first captain license I believe our teacher told us that an owner can operate thier own vessel up to 200 gross tons. Length wise that can be any number of feet. Ive heard The World Is Not Enough (140') is less then 200 tons, I was on a 110 lazzara which was 222 if a remember correctly. Gross tonnage has nothing to do with weight, it has to do with interior volume, minus the engineering spaces. The naval architects on here can explain it better.

"Most harbour/dock masters will not allow unqualified captains at the wheel in thier midst because it is disrespectful of the "men of the sea" and just asking for trouble and danger."

Never heard that one before.


If you do not have the experience with yachts, maintenance and fixing problems might sour your taste for boats. Its probably best to hire a captain to worry for you.

Nicholas

[sailronin]

In the CFR 46 under manning requirements for US Flagged vessels as long as you are not carrying passengers for hire you may operate a vessel up to 200 Gross Tons without a license.

Beware that "for hire" includes asking guests to bring beer or sandwiches or "chip in" for fuel. Any time you receive compensation for the use of the vessel you are carrying passengers for hire. If you carry passengers for hire in a 13 foot Boston Whaler you need a license, carrying guests on your 199 GT yacht would not require a license.

Hope this helps.

Dave

PS If you buy a large yacht your insurance broker will have MUCH to say about not having a professional captain.

[WannabeeYhtsman]

Love my Woodies, nas130, and sailronin,

Thanks for the info; it pretty much answered my question.

Yes sailronin, I figured insurance would be a factor too. I think there are probably a lot of other issues but this was just a curious question and if we dig into it, we would never hit bottom.

As for the maintenance issue nas130, that would not be as big of a problem. My background is very mechanical; I have always worked with my hands in many fields of industrial applications. Electrical, welding and motor rebuilding are many of the things I have done. If my life were void of work then the maintenance of such a boat would be a nice hobby. But utilized a very good boatyard to carryout proper repairs and retrofits would still be the better choice.

I asked the question not out of concern to have to pay an experienced Captain, I would think it would difficult to hire and keep a full time Captain on a vessel under 100’. That this boat would only be a stepping-stone for most and you would continually be looking for a replacement?