COMPENSATION FOR CAPTAIN

[HOT PURSUIT CHARTERS]

I have a friend who wants me to run charters on his 32 footer next year. What should the compensation be. A flat rate per trip, % of the cost of the trip, use of the boat when not chartering, the use of my tackle, etc. He is a weathy, savy businessman and is having a contract drawn up by one of his corperate lawyers. Since I'm giving up my boat (in all likelyhood) to run his, what should I ask for? All comments are appreciated. Thanks.

[Hatterized]

I have a friend who wants me to run charters on his 32 footer next year. What should the compensation be. A flat rate per trip, % of the cost of the trip, use of the boat when not chartering, the use of my tackle, etc. He is a weathy, savy businessman and is having a contract drawn up by one of his corperate lawyers. Since I'm giving up my boat (in all likelyhood) to run his, what should I ask for? All comments are appreciated. Thanks.

a flat salary plus (per diem for travel to & from boat)....plus when chartered a percentage of charter money......keep in mind you will be on boat often when it is not being chartered due to (repairs, maintenance, etc.).

[teddyp]

a flat salary plus (per diem for travel to & from boat)....plus when chartered a percentage of charter money......keep in mind you will be on boat often when it is not being chartered due to (repairs, maintenance, etc.).

Why don't you ask to bang his daughter while you're at it. Be careful with your negotiation. There are a lot of better captains out of work right now that are looking so you don't want to price yourself out of the job.

[hubris 1]

I have a friend who wants me to run charters on his 32 footer next year. What should the compensation be. A flat rate per trip, % of the cost of the trip, use of the boat when not chartering, the use of my tackle, etc. He is a weathy, savy businessman and is having a contract drawn up by one of his corperate lawyers. Since I'm giving up my boat (in all likelyhood) to run his, what should I ask for? All comments are appreciated. Thanks.

1. I have a friend. Ok, talk to him. If he is a friend, whats the problem?

2.Why give up your boat? You think running his will make you happy enough to not own one?

3. What should I ask for? What does he expect? Can you deliver that? What kind of money do you want to do that. Is it a job, or a passion that you are also getting paid for. In other words, would you fish anyway, except now you dont have to pay for fuel?

Its hard to always be the voice of reason, but there......you have it. Go to bed tonight and think about it and call him tomorrow and say.......Your my friend, I would be happy to do it, what seems fair to you as I would probably be fishing anyway but it will be fun. Thanks for the offer.

[Capt. Lyndon]

Will you be running a mate or single handed? If you're running single handed, 20-25% of the cost of each trip would be fair. If you're running a mate, 15% to the captain and 10% to the mate. Also, general maintanence on the boat is on you. Anything above general upkeep, such as major repairs, bottom painting, etc., you should discuss a fair hourly rate. Also, who is going to take care of the advertising, etc.? You need to figure all of this in. As far as it being a friend, don't screw yourself to keep from hurting any feeling during negotions, buisness is buisness.

One other thing, are you going to be moving his boat into your current buisness, or starting new. The above is mainly if you're starting new, working for the owner. If you're moving the boat into your current buisness, then a split after expenses would be the way to go. When we were in this situation a couple of years ago, we split 60/40, with the 60 going to the boat, and the boat owner covering all repairs, upkeep, insurance, etc. The reason for the split this way, we have an established buisness, so the extra 15% before the crew pay was to pay for advertising, such as the website, brochures, etc.

In the end, it all comes down what works best for the two of you. The figures, and everything else I've listed here is what works for us, but it may be way off base for anyone else.

Capt. Lyndon

[gottaflylee]

I have a friend who wants me to run charters on his 32 footer next year. What should the compensation be. A flat rate per trip, % of the cost of the trip, use of the boat when not chartering, the use of my tackle, etc. He is a weathy, savy businessman and is having a contract drawn up by one of his corperate lawyers. Since I'm giving up my boat (in all likelyhood) to run his, what should I ask for? All comments are appreciated. Thanks.

Everything I just read, told my inner voice in my head to RUN!
I'm not sure we have the whole story here, are you going to run tha boat for him also when he wants to fish? Are you to do all maintaince and is that going to come out of your pocket? How strong is your charter busness?

Knowing what little I know, I would run...

[frankypettolina]

The days of the charter skipper looking for salary plus % of the trip are a thing of the past (unless it is a very small salary and a small percentage- or it one of the very few remaining GOOD jobs)- this will not change until the charter industry turns around.

The going rate for a captain on a charter boat is 20 to 30% of the trip fee (depending on experience, who handles the booking and other variables). On a 32 footer in OC for a 12 hour trip, somewhere around 250 would sound about right.

For this rate you are expected to keep the boat in working order and do general maintenance. Oil changes, keeping the interior spiffy, keeping the machinery space spiffy, that sort of thing. Anything beyond routine maintenance should be compensated either daily or hourly- this would include things like bottom paint, varnish, awlgrip, assisting a mechanic performing engine repairs, that sort of thing. Somewhere around 100 to 200 dollars per 8 to 10 hour day.

All of this is assuming you have a mate working with you. The mate pay range in OC is anywhere from tips only, 10% of the trip or a combination of guaranteed pay and tips. For this the mate is expected to keep the tackle in shape, keep things waxed and cleaned. Mates should expect pay for any of the above and beyond items mentioned above.

Give me a call if you need more info/advice.

[HOT PURSUIT CHARTERS]

Thanks Franky.