Piloting Your Own Yacht
Can you pilot your own yacht? If you’re an experienced captain who regularly pilots large yachts, a solo trip is entirely possible.
Yacht Captain Requirements
What size yacht do you need a captain? Getting an experienced and qualified captain is a must for any yacht over 100 feet long, as well as if you are not very confident in your ability to control a boat on your own.
What is the biggest boat one person can handle? A sailboat measuring between 35 and 45 feet with a draft of about 2 meters, plenty of sail area, easy reefing, and well-working assistive equipment can be ideal for one person to handle.
Which is the largest privately owned yacht in the world? The “Octopus” owned by Allen over US$200 million has a permanent crew of 60, including several former Navy Seals.
Licensing and Making Money
Do you need a license to pilot a 58+ yacht? You do not need a license to sail around the world. I can captain my own vessel if I have a US Coast Guard captain license and meet all qualifications.
How do yacht owners make money? When you trade-in your yacht, ownership transfers to the dealer and they are then responsible for selling the vessel.
The US Coast Guard only requires “captain’s licenses” when operating for hire, carrying cargo, or paying passengers. Recreational boaters do not need captain’s licenses.
Chartering and Yacht Management
What size boat requires a captain’s license in Texas? Charter vessels over 30 feet carrying more than six passengers need a Party Boat Operator License.
Deckhands on a yacht average $35,880 a year. Yes, chartering guests pay for the experience.
To be a yacht, a boat must be over 30 feet. Both yachts and boats can have motors or sails.
It costs around $1,000 per foot to employ a captain. A 100-foot yacht costs $110,000 a year for a captain.
To become a captain requires maritime experience and training. Handling a similar-sized yacht is ideal.
Considerations for Yacht Ownership
Can you operate your own yacht? However, it can be profitable to own a yacht for charter. You can make a profit in various ways, including offsetting the cost and selling your yacht.
Super yachts are stable vessels that typically don’t require a crew member at every station. However, extra help can provide safety measures if necessary.
A sailboat measuring 35-45 feet with good equipment can be ideal for one person to handle.
Yachts 79 feet and over are classified as large by the Commercial Yacht Code. Operating and maintaining a 180-foot yacht costs a minimum of $4.75 million per year.
Insurance companies want to ensure you can safely operate a boat. They developed their own methods based on size and cost. Start small, take courses, get experience.
On yachts over 75 feet, hire a few crew for maintenance. An autopilot, yacht manager, and maintenance staff will ensure smooth operation while you work or pursue hobbies.
Research license requirements before captaining a yacht yourself. You need navigation and weather knowledge. Typically a minimum 200-ton license is required to captain a yacht.