Boat and Yacht Transport Part 2: Delivery Skippers

Sometimes, for whatever reason, you want to get your boat from one place to another without sailing it. In part one, we discussed transporting boats overland via truck and trailer. Now we'll look at option two: hiring a delivery skipper.

Basically, a delivery skipper sails your boat where or when you don't want to sail it yourself, and it's an excellent option for many boaters who need to transport their yacht across water. It can also be a nightmare if your boat isn't in shape, or if you've chosen the wrong skipper.

Step 1: Seriously consider your boat.

To be handled by a delivery captain over oceans, your boat needs to be in oceangoing shape. The rigging, the rudder, the self-steering, the sails, the engine, and all critical systems need to be in good condition, and of course, it needs to be an ocean-going yacht in the first place. If you're thinking about a protected water delivery such as along the ICW (US Inter Coastal Waterway), then this isn't as much of an issue, but it certainly is when we're looking at crossing oceans.

Many people who use delivery captains choose to do a downwind (downhill or tradewinds) cruise, and then have the boat brought back. Thus, the delivery skipper is beating back from paradise on a boat that was just running for days/weeks/months. As Larry Pardey (who has delivered a boat or two) told us recently, he's seen particular damage to roller furling at the end of these downwind trips. “The forestays are loose on the downwind, and the weight of the roller-furling banging around actually work-hardens the stainless steel.” So, when the delivery skipper takes off on a hard beat, the now-brittle stainless fails.

This (unfortunately) isn't the only type of problem that only becomes apparent when the boat starts working harder. A boat that's dry as a bone while running in the trades will show every new sun-baked leak when she's close-hauled. A few deck leaks can cause major damage to a boat's interior, and a bad hull-deck joint can sink her. In reality, the skipper bringing your boat home often needs a better yacht than you did on your trip.

Even if you can find someone willing to deliver a boat that's in less-than-good shape, and even if you can get it insured, it's morally reprehensible and potentially illegal to send someone out in a deathtrap to save a little money on maintenance and repairs. Just don't do it.

Step 2: Find a skipper

You may choose an individual, or you may choose a company. Even if you go through a large and reputable company, it still comes down to there being one person who will be responsible for your boat's safekeeping - the Skipper. You're relying on the experience, skills, and professionalism of this one individual to safeguard your property. Whether your boat is babied or beat to hell, whether leaks or loose hardware are fixed or allowed to worsen, and whether your boat is kept on schedule or seems to get stuck in bad weather near cantinas, is all going to come down to who you choose.

For the most part, delivery skippers are professional, conscientious mariners who take personal responsibility for your boat. There are horror stories, of course, and we've heard a few. Most are the result of trying to find a budget captain, or trying to find one on short notice, or trying to find one in an isolated location. Combine the three, and you're looking at trouble.
The best way to find a delivery captain is to ask around. Ask yacht brokers who they use, ask on the docks, and ask boatyards and harbormasters. Once you've found a few names, don't be afraid to ask for references. In business, I always ask for a reference that has had some trouble which was resolved. This tells me a lot more about a person or company than if I only talk to people who had no problems.

Step 3: Budget

The delivery skipper will generally base his/her price on a per-mile basis. This rate varies widely, and while you don't always get what you pay for, be wary of the low end of the spectrum. This price usually covers the captain's wages and business overhead, and there will be other costs above and beyond that which will emerge along the way.

Generally, you will pay for the skipper's transportation, any lodging, any expenses, and gratuities. There will also be the cost of fuel (often underestimated), marina fees along the route, any repairs, at least some provisions, any customs or immigration fees, and anything else that might come up.

Step 4: Dot the i's. Cross the t's

It's critical that all parties involved are in agreement. That's you, your skipper, any lienholders, and the applicable insurers. There's a tendency in the marine industry to want to do business with a handshake - forget it! Insist upon a fully detailed, written, signed contract. If that makes anyone balk, keep looking.

Conclusion

Over much of the world, delivery captains are often the best option for transporting an ocean-going yacht. A good delivery skipper can bring a well-maintained yacht where and when you don't want to sail her yourself, and are the support that makes the statement “gentlemen don't sail to weather” possible. On the other hand, an inept skipper and/or unmaintained boat can create tremendous, costly, and even life-threatening problems.

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