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Captain's pay for this gig...?

Discussion in 'Yacht Captains' started by Norseman, Jun 24, 2016.

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  1. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    [​IMG]

    Talking to a potential buyer of a boat like this:
    70' Expedition Yacht.
    He is asking how much to get ready for an Atlantic crossing from Fort Lauderdale and how much to Captain it across.
    Looking for market rates here, whether high or low.
    I also invited the buyer over to this forum to check for himself.
    As far as getting the boat ready, that of course depends on the survey and an inventory of spare parts and tools onboard, etc.
    How much would a free-lance Captain charge for trouble shooting systems, running around getting stuff, rafts re-packed, hiring and firing contractors, arranging divers, haul-outs, etc..?
    Then the crossing to Holland: Daily rate, per mile, or fixed price..?
    (10 knots cruise speed, 3900 NM range, twin diesel. I am thinking Florida to Bermuda, topping off the tanks for stability, then the Azores for a break and fresh food, then over to Amsterdam. )

    I did this kind of stuff on similar size boats 12 years ago. Now getting back into it and need the going rates for myself and for the buyer/owner.

    Thx, beer on me:)
  2. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Having done a few deliveries myself I would only ever ask for a daily rate, that way of there are problems or delays when no miles are done you get paid for your time. As to what its worth to you it depends how much you want a ride to Holland, need the money, enjoy the trip etc.
  3. HTMO9

    HTMO9 Senior Member

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    Norseman, that is a Farmont 70. A German company which is building in Turkey. A very beefy explorer yacht. I have been on one, as one of my friends in Leer, northern Germany owns one. See below.

    IMG_0003.JPG

    I hope you will not make the trip single handed. If you are just playing the skipper for the owner crew, I would ask for an absolute minimum of 5.000 $ plus expences, if the owners are very good friends of Yours. Otherwise 5.5 K to 6 K would be appropriate. The trip may take from 3 up to 4 weeks, if you have to wait for a good weather window or you get drunken in the Cafe Sport at the Marina Horta on the Ilha do Faial (which is normal for sailors :)). Do not forget to make your drawing on the breakwater of the marina. A great tradition for passagemakers.

    bemalte-Mole-Azoren.jpg

    Go for it my friend. A great boat and a great trip during summer. Make sure, you have a satellite phone with you. Life is to short to run on idle already at our age.
  4. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Aye, no...I would not make no trip solo.
    Too old and too lazy to be a Hero.
    Yup, this a a Farmont and the one I am dealing with was built for the owner of the brand and is the best one out there.
    The buyer is a fellow DC-8 Cargo pilot, we could have fun swapping stories across the pond.
    Want to go for a boat ride Mr. HTM09? :)
  5. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I'd ask for a minimum of $350 a day and anticipate with stops and layovers, up to 30 days.

    I'd anticipate an additional 5 to 10 days before.
  6. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    $350 / is a nice long coastal day rate. Anchored or docked every night.
    Open water 24 hour availability, may call for a taller daily rate.

    On the other hand, counting pre-departure work not under way, then deployment, then return travel expenses and return travel time may average out to about $350/ day planning on 6 to 8 weeks.

    Then a good mate or co-captain. He's (she) is not going to put much work toward the pre-departure work but all else the same, rotating shifts but available 24 hours. May need more daily. He (she) did not make that easy daily money before the boat left.
  7. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I did say the minimum. A captain with experience and many Atlantic crossings would probably be substantially more.
  8. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Aye, minimum $350 per day..?
    Or a monthly $6,000?

    I will let the buyer know.
    Too old and too lazy to sail for free and hopefully the buyer/owner will agree.
  9. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Small world.
    I think/heard, there was only 3 of these built and within minutes the boat was identified on these here pages.
    No secrets around here:)
  10. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Thx, I will pass this over to the buyer.
    Do I want a ride to Holland, need the money?
    No and no, but I may enjoy the trip, it could be a nice ride for sure.
  11. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    OB
    I did not mean to say anything negative on your thoughts. I was just trying to expand on them.
    You already have a crew and have better experience on long term salarys but a special 6 to 8 week endeavor may require a different thought on pay scale.
    It's hard to pull somebody(s) away for a one time project and figure a pay scale.
    OB
    Have you had special 6 to 8 week endeavors on open water and special crew are involved. You may have some experience on this to help.
  12. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Your ticket and people under your arm. Have fun,, yes. Paid for your responsibility's while having fun, double yes.
    Or, let somebody else be captain and you mate.

    Somebody has to be in charge,,, and paid.

    If you need a swab, no responsibility and get some pay, call me.
    For sure, I'll have the most fun.
    ,rc
  13. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    A US Captain, easily $400-500+ a day for that, considering it's all ocean and running 24/7 for days on end. I wouldn't touch it for a penny less.
  14. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    No, I don't have any experience in hiring a captain for a job like this. I did consult with a couple who have done deliveries including Europe but much of their work was a good while ago and for builders. Our general feeling is that any discount for the length of time is offset by Premium for the nature of the cruise. I would have no argument with you or with Capt J's numbers. Definitely not a place to cut corners. I know people do crossings with small crews all the time but I wouldn't do one without an Engineer as well.
  15. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    There is some great input that needs to be near the top list.


    Some body needs to be at least mechanical heavy.
    OK, I can swing a hammer. Can the swab slot.

    What's the main and light plant models?
  16. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    The problem is that people make the trip with all sizes and experience of crews. Sometimes owners do it their first time with just the two of them. Each of us has our own minimum requirements. I know I want far more experience on board than others do for a crossing.
  17. ychtcptn

    ychtcptn Senior Member

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    An experienced Atlantic crossing Capt. is going to want at least $500 a day, maybe less during the pre-crossing period to get ready.
    BTW- That's what I would be asking.
  18. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Thx Gentlemen.
    I will forward this to the buyer so he can calculate it into the cost of buying and delivering the boat.
  19. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    That seems like a pretty fair casual rate for that size boat.
  20. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Right.
    Does anybody here want the job in case I am unable or unwilling to do the journey?
    Time frame is sometimes this summer: With contract, survey and sea-trial still to go, July could be almost gone before casting off. That means the middle of the Atlantic in the middle of the hurricane season and a slow boat.
    (Cruise 10 knots, max speed 12 knots)
    With hurricanes moving at 15 knots or more, this boat could not out-run them. I checked if any hurricanes have hit the Azores in the past and the answer is yes.