Yacht Delivery Rates & Costs

Every yacht delivery is different. The total cost depends on the vessel, distance, route, number of crew required and the time needed to complete the trip safely.

Capable Captain keeps pricing straightforward. Below are our current crew rates and the other expenses you can typically expect when planning a professional yacht delivery.

For an estimate based on your specific boat and route, request a free yacht delivery quote.

Yacht Delivery Crew Rates

Captain	$600 per day
NASBLA Certified Crew	$300 per day
Provisions	$30 per crew member per day

The number of crew required depends on the vessel and the length and complexity of the delivery.

For most one- or two-day deliveries aboard vessels under 50 feet, a captain and one crew member are typically required. Longer trips generally require an additional crew member so the crew can maintain safe watch rotations while underway.

What Determines the Cost of a Yacht Delivery?

The biggest factors affecting the total cost are:

• Distance of the delivery
• Vessel size and cruising speed
• Number of crew members required
• Offshore, coastal or inland routing
• Weather and sea conditions
• Fuel consumption
• Travel expenses for the captain and crew
• Dockage, mooring and other trip expenses

A 300-mile coastal delivery aboard a fast powerboat can be very different from a 1,500-mile offshore sailboat delivery, which is why we provide a quote based on the individual vessel and route rather than a flat mileage rate.

Travel Expenses

Travel expenses for the captain and crew are kept as reasonable as possible. Depending on the location of the vessel, transportation may include flights, trains, public transportation, rental vehicles or rideshare services.

A travel day is normally required before departure and following arrival.

The day before departure may also include the captain’s vessel inspection, safety review, provisioning and crew preparation.

Following arrival, the crew completes the final vessel inspection, owner documentation and general cleanup before leaving the boat.

Fuel Costs

Fuel is paid by the vessel owner and can vary considerably depending on the boat, engines, cruising speed, route and sea conditions.

Powerboats with higher cruising speeds can complete a delivery more quickly but may consume significantly more fuel. Trawlers and displacement vessels generally travel more slowly with lower fuel consumption.

For sailboats, engine use depends on wind conditions, route and the desired progress of the delivery.

Learn more about our powerboat delivery and sailboat delivery services.

Additional Delivery Expenses

The vessel owner is responsible for reasonable expenses incurred during the delivery. Depending on the route, these may include:

• Fuel
• Dockage or mooring
• Canal or lock fees
• Replacement parts or necessary repairs
• Towing, if required
• Other vessel-specific expenses

Our goal is always to operate the vessel safely while keeping unnecessary expenses to a minimum.

Preparing Your Boat Can Reduce Delays & Costs

One of the best ways to control delivery costs is to make sure the vessel is ready before the crew arrives.

Mechanical problems, failed batteries, clogged fuel filters, non-functioning electronics and missing safety equipment can create delays that are often avoidable with proper preparation.

Review our guide to preparing your boat for delivery before departure.

What Happens During Your Delivery?

Owners receive regular communication throughout the trip and can follow the vessel’s progress through our yacht delivery tracking.

Weather or mechanical issues can occasionally affect the schedule. When that happens, safety takes priority over maintaining an arbitrary arrival date.

For answers about crew, scheduling, weather, preparation and the delivery process, visit our yacht delivery FAQ.

Need a Captain Instead of a Full Delivery?

If you plan to travel aboard your own boat and simply want an experienced professional captain to help with navigation, boat handling or a difficult passage, see our captain for hire services.

See Our Recent Yacht Deliveries

Visit our recent yacht deliveries page to see examples of the sailboats, powerboats, routes and destinations handled by Capable Captain.

Get a Yacht Delivery Estimate

Tell us your vessel make and model, current location, destination and preferred timing. We’ll review the trip and provide an estimate based on your boat and route.

Get a Free Yacht Delivery Quote