Career as Skipper

[Guest]

Does anyone know how, or whether, to pursue sailing as a career ? Is flotilla skippering a worthwhile job or a Holiday Rep style drudge, ie long hours, low pay and take it or leave it employer attitude ?

Would love to hear some views.

 

[jonic]

have a look at the uksa web site.

John

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/yacht/serafina/

 

[andrewhopkins]

As with all jobs....

I have a brother who is a news cameraman for Sky. Sounds great doesnt it, mixing with all those stars, in the action, etc. However, it can be very very tedious.

I have a brother in law who is a paramedic. Sounds great, helping those people, in extreme situations,etc. However, when you've taken your fourth incontinent granny in to ER, it aint.

I say this because I think skippering also has appeal to people but im sure any aspect of it can have its bad sides too. Your 10th day feeling sick delivering a yacht ?

I've spoken with a lot of flotilla skippers who love the job but it is very low pay, however, you get free(ish) meals in restaurants (in the med mostly) and get drinks bought by guests and of course sunshine. However, 3/4 of the way through the season and you have to seem fresh and excited for the new weeks flotilla arrivals.

Delivering sounds nice too but it is very competitive out there as Yachtmasters are 2 a penny now.

The money seems to be in getting a position on a "megayacht" or being a skipper for a wealthy patron but these are hard to find.

Is it better than sitting in an office...Im sure and I hope to do something like this in the future.

Does it pay better than sitting in an office....not in 99% of the time.

 

[Guest]

If you really enjoy your sailing I wouldn't advise taking it up as a career. I did, and after nearly 15 years of being a charter skipper, Island Cruising Club skipper, Yachtmaster Instructor and seamanship instructor to MN officer cadets I became jaded and broke. I can count on the fingers of one hand the weeks which were as enjoyable as they might have been if I had been doing it for my own pleasure instead of as a job.
As for megayachts - a friend of mine was master of one of these giants in the Med and spent most of his time planning parties instead of passages, going to sea island hopping for about 4 weeks each year. Well paid, but boring as hell.

 

[RupertW]

I was chatting to a flotilla engineer who reckoned his job was the best in the business. Poor pay, of course, but all the free meal perks of flotilla work combined with his own (motor) boat and endless free time to roam in beatiful cruising grounds between calls.

Skills needed, he said, were clearing water intakes, recharging batteries, changing filters and bleeding engines - very basic.


I've taken a year off office work to get the YM (done) and pick up crewing/skippering wherever I can. I just fancied the idea of being able to say "Yes" whenever somebody was after some sailing help. Seems pretty rewarding so far, though not moneywise.

So far I'm sure I don't want to be an instructor or flotilla skipper or rich man's crew, might like being a charter skipper, and thoroughly enjoy deliveries. Also found out that cooking on board is a lot more sought-after as a skill than being a good sailor. So is being really good with engines. Wish I was.

Rupert

 

[Guest]

I think someone started a thread in PBO on this subject a while back - try searching on "rat-race" which I recall was in the subject line.

I'll say here what I said there - don't consider working in the holiday/leisure industry (ie flotilla skippering) unless it's people, rather than boats, that you want to work with.

Best of luck

"El manana es nuestro, companero..."

 

[Guest]

Thanks shipmates...all very useful.