[rubianoa]

Hello, everyone I new here but it looks like I found the perfect place. I have loved boats and the ocean since I was a kid, I finally bought my fist 18' open bow. I live in Southern California out of Dana point harbor, I've done many day trips, form 5-10 miles and over to Catalina Island. I love being out there on the open water. good days or bad days it's always an adventure for me. my question is : how much does a captain make $$.. ???

I know this is NOT easy. but I'm sure someone out there can tell me their experience. lets start from a captain form the catalina express.. (this a ferry that travels 40 miles each way to catalina island) takes about 100 people and the other is how much does a captain make on Yacht delivery ? I don't want to get in your personal life, but if anyone has done deliveries how much were you paid and how was that determined..other than your experience..

does the income have to do with: yacht size? tons? distance? body of water? I'm sure all of there do count. so please share with me your story and be truthfull..


thanks..

Andres

[sailronin]

Andres,
Wages depend on license level and qualification, experience (including routes traveled, local knowledge, varied positions including charter, commercial and private work), type of boat, age of boat, length of time with given owner etc.
Some of the crew agency sites have charts that give a pretty accurate picture of the industry.
Just say IF you put in the time to get the correct licenses and certificates, and work your way up the ladder to a command, you will be well compensated for a position onboard a yacht.

Dave

[madtuna]

Andres

I am from Dana Point as well and I work on a yacht in the harbor as a deckhand/second ticket, the going rate for captains is 1000 per foot per year (65'=65000k) give or take the variables of experience and qualifications. I have known very few people to just get handed the captains seat without years of experience on the deck/in the cockpit as a fulltime crew member, the Catalina express captains I believe make around 100-125 a year plus benefits I could be wrong though. Not bad for driving and boat back and forth 32.2 miles haha.

As far as deliveries go it is usually based on a few factors the total cost of fuel and supplies as well as distance and days at sea. There is really no set rate for deliveries because there are a lot of people that do them therefore many different price rates. for a captain on a delivery I would expect about 250-350 a day depending on the size of the boat and difficulty of the trip, iv done some where you just get on the boat and drive iv done others where we had to load the boat with the supplies and fuel (with the owners credit card of course)

I would love to talk to you some more about it if you would like, feel free to shoot me an email and we can chat Mvheavyd@yahoo.com

Chris

[outmywindow]

Bottom Right Hand corner...
http://www.luxyachts.com/

Maybe start out as a "deck mouse" and work your way up.

[K1W1]

Hi,

I think you are being a little optimistc with your salary levels indicated.

The link from Outmywindow is closer to reality for the larger boats.

[sailronin]

Outmywindow
That is the crew agency I was thinking of with my first post. Luxary Yachts is pretty right on with their wage chart.

Dave

[aeronautic1]

Actually, $1000 per foot has been my experience. In fact, my last job was on a 63 Viking and made a base pay of $68600 plus about $10K per year in tips.

[veggie_burger]

Yes it is a dream job and can pay big bucks. I'm at over 6 figures now but have been on this job more than a few years. The key to big bucks is not to take the job that pays huge, but to take the job that you will keep for many years. A 250K a year job you have for 2 months is not as good as a 85K/yr job you have for ten years. After a few years the owners should give you constant raises. Not because you NEED a raise but because YOUR WORTH MORE. Become an independent contractor and pick up your own health and life insurance so your credit history and employment is a constant.
Mainly think of when your 57 years old and still scrubbing decks with a brush in one hand and a bottle of Asprin in the other!! Get a college degree FIRST whippersnapper. It will make it easier to get a good position with a good boat over the other canditates who are just coming up with sea time but no degree. I wish I had an escape plan but luckily I'm holding up physically so I should last a few more years!
But to answer you original question after a few years work you should be well over 100k/year on any boat your on over 100'. For the best and latest snuggle up to someone at a crew agency and pick thier brain. Those of us out there driving boats are too darn busy to talk to other crew to find out what they are making. Oh, gotta go and wash the food stains off the teak decks.