IN'S AND OUT'S OF YACHT DELIVERY

Payments and reservations

Once we receive your yacht delivery request, we will determine how long the boat delivery will take based upon the vessel type and the distance to be traveled. We'll then get back to you with a final estimate, calculated using the delivery rates above. For sailboats we normally base delivery time on 100-120 NM per day when sailing 24/7.

We require a 50% deposit of the total estimated cost of the delivery which can be paid via check or credit card. Your yacht delivery is NOT CONFIRMED until we receive funds.

We select the delivery captain based on experience and knowledge of the area your boat delivery will be going to and put him in direct contact with you to make the final arrangements. Most of our captains are Nashville, Tennessee based, so flights/rental car expenses will be based upon leaving and returning to Nashville. We do have several delivery captains located throughout USA and will do our best to reserve your delivery captain depending on the yacht's locale and delivery captain's availability. 

The balance of the boat delivery cost is payable when the vessel is safely tied up at the destination port.

Boat Owners

Many delivery captains DO NOT allow owners to crew on the delivery with them. We, however, are the exception! Boat owners are most welcome to travel with as crew, provided they understand that they are just that: crew! Your captain IS the captain, and he will make ALL final decisions relating to the boat, the conditions, the route and the entire delivery from point of departure to drop off. Naturally he will consult with you as he would any crew member, but he is the MASTER OF THE VESSEL. If you do not wish to travel with and do not have another crew member, he will bring his own crew at an expense to you of $125/day.

All of our captains have a great sense of humor, are used to dealing with people and have many long seafaring stories to tell you while sailing. Our delivery captains are are not only crusty sea salts, they are FUN!

24/7 Sailing vs. Day only Sailing

This is up to you. If you want the boat in a hurry, our captains will travel 24/7 non-stop sailing port to port. If this is the case the captain will need at least one crew member to run the boat while he is sleeping. If you do you not provide QUALIFIED crew, our delivery captain will provide their own crew at an additional charge of $125/day.

Some owners don't want to sail 24/7, but instead would like to enjoy stopping off each night, either by anchoring or going to a marina. Or, they are not in a rush for their boat. In this case, sailing will be done in daylight hours, estimated travel on a sailboat will be between 50-70 NM per day depending on time of the year. Here you pay a lower daily charge and the captain may not require a crew member depending upon the vessel.

Finally, on our longer deliveries we can offer you a combination of 24/7 sailing with a few stops to rest. Typically every 3rd or 4th day, but you can decide this. Here you pay a combination of the 24/7 rate and the day sailing rate.

Bad Weather, Bridge / Lock Delays and Problems

While the captain will try to pick out the best weather window, if the weather does turn bad and the boat is laid up in a safe harbor, you will still be required to pay the captain, but only at the much lower rate of $150/day. So while the captain would no doubt prefer his full rate, we hardly think he should be paid $350/day for sitting on the dock of the bay. The same applies if the vessel breaks down and has to wait for parts or repairs.

If the captain effects the repairs himself (several of our captains are mechanics), then you will need to pay his labor at $65/hour - because now he will actually be working hard on your boat and not sitting on the dock sipping pina colades.

Boat Condition

You might think your new baby is in the most perfect seaworthy condition ready to circumnavigate the world. Our captains might or might not agree with you, in which case you will receive a full report the day the captain arrives that might contain a list of items needing attention before he is prepared to depart.  You will be required to pay layover rates of $150/day if only a couple days of repairs.  If more extensive repairs are needed, the choice may be made to postpone to delivery until the vessel is more seaworthy.

Insurance

Your boat must be insured and proof of which will be required to submit prior to delivery. WE DO NOT INSURE YOUR BOAT NOR DO WE HAVE SECONDARY INSURANCE TO COVER YOUR BOAT. Most boat insurance is owner operator only, but will cover you if the owner is not on board if a licensed captain is operating the vessel. This is why all our captains are USCG licensed.

Safety at Sea

If your vessel is not equipped with an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, that IS a mouth full) and the delivery requires the captain travel more than 100 miles offshore, you will be billed for the rental of this device, normally about $75/week. If you would like to stay in touch, we can arrange for the rental of a satellite phone, but this is not a requirement.

Why should you deliver your yacht with Watch Captain?

We've all seen those ads from independent captains who have cheaper rates than us. What do you really know about them? We know and vouch for all our captains - we're NOT a boat delivery broker, just putting you in touch with a captain for a commission. We KNOW these professional captains and have worked with them for years on a daily basis.

Our captains take passengers out on our boats every day in Nashville, they have demonstrated their responsibility.

Need more reasons? We take credit cards, many independent captains don't. We allow owners to crew. We offer super discounted rates when the boat is laid up, many independent captain's don't - they charge you full day rates as "it wasn't their fault the gizmo broke or the weather sucked".

Most importantly, our captains are charter boat captains and are used to entertaining guests, so YOU KNOW they are going to be a bunch of fun!

For more information, questions or comments, contact Captain Richard M Mahoney, Jr via e-mail at rmahoney@mywatchcaptain.com or via cell at 615-804-SAIL (7245).