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lots of Questions

Discussion in 'Yacht Captains' started by WannaBeCaptain, Jun 11, 2009.

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  1. WannaBeCaptain, Jun 11, 2009
    #1
    WannaBeCaptain

    WannaBeCaptain New Member

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    sorry for a newb post

    I am like trying to decide what I want to do with my life. I have few professions in mind and being a yacht captain is one of them.

    1)what is general salary for a captain running a private yacht?
    2)how is that salary determined?..say do they get paid for down time while the yacht sits in the dock
    3)how long would it take from blank to becoming a small yacht captain and cruise ship captain?
    4)does it get boring and frustrating at times?

    thanks in advance.
  2. K1W1, Jun 11, 2009
    #2
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    There is a lot of info on the forum use the search function, I have added some brief answers to your questions to get your mind focused.
  3. Capt J, Jun 11, 2009
    #3
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    1. Generally it is around $1,000 per foot per year, a 65 footer would pay 65,000 year or more if you're good.
    2. If you are a full time captain you get paid the same paycheck each week whether the boat moves or not. It still needs to be maintained
    3. A cruise ship captain probably 15 years or more.
    4. Yeah it can get boring sitting in a little island for 3 months straight or frustrating having a ton of guests on board for 2 weeks straight.
  4. WannaBeCaptain, Jun 11, 2009
    #4
    WannaBeCaptain

    WannaBeCaptain New Member

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    so when you're on the island for 3 months, what can you do? Can you get away for the day if you wanted to?(considering it's sittin at the dock)

    Freelance captain job seems very unstable by reading other posts. Is commercial captain other than yacht a better, more stable choice?
  5. Capt J, Jun 11, 2009
    #5
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Yeah, you can go around the island. But whats the point of going around an island that is 5 square miles and 400 inhabitents and has one restaurant. It gets old reeeeeeeaallly quick unless you're the type that likes seclusion.

    I own a yacht management business and maintain those as well as daily captaining and deliveries (freelance) and am constantly busy. However it does take years to get that kind of reputation to where people are always calling you.
  6. WannaBeCaptain, Jun 11, 2009
    #6
    WannaBeCaptain

    WannaBeCaptain New Member

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    yeah I figured it won't happen over night.

    I would need to work under someone to build up that reputation and experience. I love being on the water, on the boat, on the island so this is ideal but also pretty unstable for raising family :( I just talked my self out of it lol