Current day rate for Captains?

In NY we generally charge upwards of $400 per day plus meals and expenses. With what's happened to the economy that's now going up considerably. Some captains are charging a milage charge to the boats; others are just adjusting their rates.

I've seen low-ballers in our industry. They're an inconvenience and seldom last long. The people we deal with are generally professionals and they don't mind paying a professional rate for the person keeping them and their million dollar toy safe. I don't negotiate, I don't sleep in 5x5 "crew quarters" and I keep very busy.

Rhetorical questions: How much do you need to live (not just exist), and don't forget health insurance, etc.? How many days a year can you expect to run? Divide one into the other and you've got your rate. If you can't get that you're in the wrong business. It's that simple.
In every business you see these jokers who undercut price then give substandard service. Next you see them and everyone who tries to compete with them on price going out of business. Rising to the top you find the cream.
A prime example (and believe me I hate to say) is lawyers. The ones who charge $100 an hour are selling real estate and chasing ambulances. The ones who get $1,000 an hour don't even advertise.

You guys are in the right ball park price-wise..... I am located in South Florida and my rates vary from $300-350 per day + all expenses. Typically 50-80'. I sometimes go up to $400 a day on something larger

You caps in So. Fla are a little low, but that's because there are a ton of caps there. The young bucks think they'll get work if they're cheep then the good ones panic and drop their price. We've done some organizing so we tend not to compete on price. If someone suddenly comes in low-balling it's real obvious that you don't want him running your boat. We tend to compete with reputation and connections. We also refer to each other when we can't do a job and pay back a referral fee to the other captain. Plus, I can do 3 to 4 lessons in a day at $200 per so why compromise.

Just be patient. Most of those wannabes will be out of the business before their first issue is up. If someone hires on the basis of who is cheapest he'll get what he deserves. In the mean time keep building your rep and your connections and insist on getting the pay you deserve even if it means holding another job until you can do it full time. When I was down there I worked 4 boats and had my own tour boat. As a captain if you're earning less than 50K a year you're in the wrong business and you should be making considerably more than that if you're any good.

I don't know if you can say we're a little low here in South Florida. I assume the cost of living is a bit less then NY. I have been at $300 for over 3 years and have kept my old customers at that rate. New customers $350 or so. I remember when I charged $200 a day many years ago. Each time I raise prices nobody seems to ever say anything, and I usually raise them $50 at a time....... but I guess I have been too nice lately.......

I am constantly completely booked (I also manage several yachts). Many times overbooked. But most of my work and clients come from 2 large brokerage houses and one large manufacturer. I've been fortunate that I have never had to solicite business ever. I do right around 12k nautical miles in deliveries per year, plus a lot of local stuff, and manage the yachts that I manage. Right now I am running a 75'MY from Ft. Laud to Chicago.

I also have about 8 different Captains and send them business when I cannot take it and vice-versa. However, it's a gentlemans agreement and they reciprocate so we don't bother with making anything off of a referral.

I've been doing this professionally for 9 years now and have hit 6 figures the last 3 years and been just under that the previous 3 so I cannot complain and have zero interest going full time on one boat and being stuck somewhere for months. I pick and choose the deliveries I do right now.

You and I sound like we're at about the same point in our careers and viewpoints, except that I'm starting to cut back on the deliveries a bit.
I used to do the "gentleman's agreement", but I found I was giving a lot more referrals than I was receiving. Our method also helps out if one of our captains is having a bad year or maybe can't run for some reason. He can continue to earn a little something. Also, since we continue to pay for all work received from a referred client for 2 years nobody's afraid of losing a client by referring them, so clients don't get left on the dock.
Although I'd been charging $400 since before last summer I had one special client that I'd held at $300 since 3 summers ago. At the end of last summer I said I'd have to raise him, but asked him to name the figure. He came up with $400 as a fair #. With what's happened to the ecconomy he has since told me another raise would be completely fair. I'll hold him there, but my new clients are paying $450 to $500.

Did I mention that before I got my ticket I spent 17 years in the collection business? No, getting paid has never been a problem. Slow payers don't get my services. I had one dealership that just went quiet on a $300 debt. By the time I was done the debt was almost $700 and I was about to take their business license. And, if you can believe this, they've since asked me to do work for them again. Fat chance.
As for credit cards, 1) There's not enough call. 2) Do you really want to give up 4 or 5%. 3) Estimated expenses should be gotten up front or the owners card should be carried.

In a heartbeat, but I'm sure a little diplomacy will go a long way.

Our agreement is $400 / day while under sail / power. $200 / day while tied up. (read: no activity, but to be there, maintain, launch toys, check fluids, etc.) We pay all expenses.

Expensive? Perhaps. However we are paying him for what he knows, and not always what he does.

Propbet,
Not expensive. One thing he catches could mean you live to cruise another day or at least saves you that 10K deductable or a major repair. I'm surprised with the cut rate at dock fee though. Granted he may not be working hard, but he could be on another boat making full rate. It's not his strain you're paying for, it's his expertise, his experience, his skill and his time. If you have your lawyer mow your lawn it won't happen at $10 an hour.