Fees for Captain

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Sandy K.

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The captain who surveyed my boat back in November has offered to help me move the boat down the coast from Maine to NJ in April. Trip is expected to take 2-3 days, depending upon conditions. For those that have done this previously, I'm curious to know if $350 per day (plus food and travel back to Maine) is resonable or not?

TIA,
 
I hired a captain to help me take my boat down the coast from north of Boston up into Naragansett Bay this fall. As a new boater I didn't feel comfortable making the long trip on my own. It took about 7 hrs and the Captain cost $350. In the research I did, that plus travel and food was the going rate so for the NE I think that sounds about right.
 
I did the reverse route from Bass River on the southern side of Cape Cod to just south of Portland this September, 31 feet, about 7 hours, for $300 plus a train ticket back to greater Boston so your quote appears to be the going rate.
 
Bob, notice how folks who don't have the experience hire a cap'n to go offshore????
 
Yes, Liz, I see that. How much would you charge me to help me take my boat to Block Island for 4-5 hours? Anyone? Anyone? Beuller?
 
As a licensed Captain there just isn't enough money to pay me to take a boat w/passengers in unsafe conditions. The potential liability is just too high. Look at the Captain of the Lake George boat that capsized a few years ago.
 
Given he distance and the nature of the journey it is a very fair rate. Size of essel is a very small part of the mix. Capt. Bill I think the rate is pretty much in line for this part of Florida for those conditions. North Atlantic in April, that is a good run.
A good rate sandy and a smart move. Inform your insurance company of depature date and the Captains information/resume etc.
Good Luck and enjoy the new boat.

John
USCG Masters 100 Ton
 
Ditto to Rommer. You would have to find a really dumb licensed Captain to take a boat where it was not designed to go. Any accident and the Captain would be legally keelhauled for foolishly risking the lives of the passengers in a boat unsuitable for the voyage.
 
That sounds about right. When we brought our boat from Mexico up to San Francisco in 2001 the rate for a captain was $275/day if we were only running in daylight hours and $300/day if we were taking watches and running all night.
 
Size of boat does matter. Anything over 40 feet a mate is prudent. I charge $250/day per underway day (over 2 hours) and $100/day for the mate; $50/day for provisions and travel expenses. When not underway, due to weather or repairs, $150/day. I do minor repairs, such as filter changes and safety fixes. Anything else the owner is consulted before proceeding. Additionally, I have learned to reserve the right to have a recent survey report and to adjust my rate upon arrival. I am also considering adjusting my rate based on the boats age. Under 10 years = regular rate, 10 – 20 years a 20% premium, above 20 years, 50% premium. In general, the length of the trip is longer than originally planned and the owner needs to be in agreement with this reality before the trip starts.
 
FYI - My 37 footer is actually 40'8" LOA. Both a buddy and I will be acting as mates - this voyage is a good way for us both to learn the boat. Fortunately, we'll be hugging the northern coast, going through the Cape Cod Canal, making the run to Montauk and then crossing directly from Montauk to Sharkl River inlet in NJ. As a somewhat experienced boater, I would do this trip myself. However, since this boat is new to me with engines and systems that I am not entirely familiar with, I thought it prudent to hire a professional to not only move the boat, but to also proide a means for my buddy and I to learn the particulars of this boat.

Thanks for all the responses. Now I just need to get through the next 2 months.....
 
i like the age adjustement :-) so... a 9 year old (won't name any brand let's say...) "floating condo" pays less than a mint 11 year old battlewagon ? that makes sense...

sorry for the sarcasm, but you know as well as i do that there is more to reliability and safety than age...

Sandy, depending on the boat history, you may want to run a couple of shake down cruises before heading out. although a 3 to 4 year old boat shouldn't have too much crud in the tanks, shaking everything up and replacing filters (assuming diesels) is a wise idea. and stock up of spare filters, jsut in case. both primaries and secondaries
 
"sorry for the sarcasm, but you know as well as i do that there is more to reliability and safety than age..."

True. But apparently Ed has found, as have I, that in this business, older boats of all makes tend to cause more headaches on a delievery.
 
$350 a day plus expenses for a captain and $100-$150 a mate is a reasonable rate here in CA. Does the captain really know the boat well? If he does then the experience is well worth the $$ spent. If nothing else he is another body on the watch schedule :D.
 
Whats the fuel cost? sounds like it going to be a fun trip. Maine to Mass is a nice trip, and the cape cod canal can be tricky I hear, I like going out past the cape, the gulf stream ,warm water hits out there and makes for good fishing. Boy I can't wait for summer.[:-banghead]
 
I've been researching captains here in NY and it's definitely MORE expensive than what's been posted above.
 
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