Captain Rates (day rates, maintenance, services)?

A suggestion: learn to dock the boat WITHOUT thrusters first... then carry on to thrusters, then joystick.

To the rest: it depends. For instance, I charge different rates for cruising versus training. And note, skill are different (driving/docking/etc. a boat, contrasted with teaching). Maintenance is often completely separate, often not really "Captain's work," and I don't offer that; no one should pay my rates to get the boat washed/waxed or detailed, etc., and there are brand-specific engine or other systems specialists who can provide better service in those arenas than I could. And so forth.

That doesn't address some routine or sometimes unexpected maintenance while underway on a delivery. Water pump impeller craps out, replace and carry on. Etc.

-Chris

I d say $300/350 a day for a smaller boat. Some captains may charge a little more if training is involved. Same on delivery and cruising. Routine maintenance and cleaning on delivery and cruising is part of the job

Regular washes are usually done by boat detailers. In Miami, typical rates are $2 a foot for washes. Compound and wax typically $20 a foot for the hull and another $20 above rub rail. Usually once a year... monthly diver cleaning $2 a foot. Rates in FLL are often higher , like $3 for washes ans divers

Bottom paint varies by yard... figure about $50 a foot for haul out, block, pressure wash, paint and launch. You can usually get 18 months out of it

A lot of variables. I would expect a captain to charge a daily rate of $350-400 in the FLL area. Overnights would be same daily rate but I also expect tipping, especially on longer days and on trips. A day to me is 8 hours and when it runs longer, then I think if the rate doesn't reflect it, the tip should. I find most captains tend to lock themselves into a daily rate and don't appropriately charge for the 12 and 14 hour days.

Delivery trips are the same, but most captains are going to take a mate at another $150 or so per day. Plus add in expenses as the captain and mate have transportation costs on top of meals and other daily costs.

$2-$3 for washing, $2-3 for diving. The more frequently you schedule and commit, the lower the cost per time. A one time job is going to be at the high end or even more where as if you commit to every three weeks or four weeks the rate goes toward the lower end.

Compound and wax, I'll go with Pascal's numbers although again if it's a one time job I'd expect to pay more versus if it's someone you use for regular washing. How often to Buff, Compound and Wax? I think some way over do them. Understand that compounding does remove finish. I don't believe in buffing or compounding until a boat ages and starts to show issues. Waxing depends on the paint. I believe the Prestige is gelcoat and, if so, then I'd say two to four times a year, depending on where it's kept and how used. Paint would be more like twice a year, unless Awlgrip which should be cleaned and treated but not waxed.

Engine and equipment maintenance rates vary widely but in FLL I'd expect $100-$120 an hour on average. Now, routine work like oil changes should be less.

One thing to consider with all the things to be done is perhaps using a captain who is also a yacht manager and can schedule and arrange all the jobs you've outlined for you plus make sure routine maintenance is kept up. The captain will not do the other work but will make sure it's done timely and right.

Along this lines? I should also mentioned that when I stopped running a Johnson 70 full time and the boat was up for sale in FLL, I used Capt J to get routine maintenance done.

I just didn’t have time to handle it from Miami and was busy full time. He did a great job handling and coordinating various things over a few months.

It takes a lot of time, and good contacts, to get stuff done.

Rule #1 of asking about boat services. Never piss anybody off.

A novel could be written about rule #1 when asking for boat service. Just remember, they all talk and work with each other one time or another.
Marine Grapevine... faster than the speed of life.

Find a good recommended shop, pay quickly and tip well when you see an above and beyond effort.
Any issues, a nice calm conservation should be had.

There are some folks up here that can not get any boat washers, any time, any price. In one sentence I can explain why, The pissed them all off.

Question from the North.

Do you guys tip the yard manager or the actual person doing the work.

Pascal: Who is Cpt. J?

You have a point about smaller boats being tougher. I ve done many 18 hours stint on skylounge boats and was fresher at the end that after a 2 hours rise as a passenger on a 35kts sportfish!