Key takeaways
- ✓The total is crew fees plus the costs of running the trip: travel, food, fuel, port fees and a margin for weather.
- ✓Most skippers charge a day rate or a fixed fee — always ask which days count (travel, preparation, weather waiting).
- ✓The owner usually pays fuel, marina fees, food on board and the crew’s travel to and from the boat.
- ✓Ask every skipper to quote the same items so you can compare like for like.
The simple formula
Total cost = crew fees + crew travel + provisions + fuel + port and marina fees + extras + a weather contingency.
Crew fees are usually a day rate per person multiplied by the number of days, or a fixed fee for the whole trip. Everything else is the cost of actually running the trip, and in most deliveries it is paid by the owner — either directly or reimbursed against receipts.
Every cost, line by line
| Cost | Usually paid by | What drives it | How to keep it down |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skipper and crew fees | Owner | Distance, number of crew, the skipper’s experience and qualifications | Agree whether it is a day rate or a fixed fee, and which days count |
| Travel to and from the boat | Owner | Flights, trains, taxis, the one-way trip home | Choose crew who live near the start or end port |
| Provisions (food and water) | Owner | Days at sea × crew size | Agree a daily food allowance in advance |
| Fuel | Owner | Motoring hours, wind, the boat’s consumption | Start with full tanks and log fuel on the delivery report |
| Marina and port fees | Owner | Overnight stops, refuelling stops | Plan stops in advance and allow anchoring where it is safe |
| Insurance | Owner | Whether your policy covers the route and a delivery crew | Check with your insurer before the trip — some policies need a named, qualified skipper |
| Repairs and spares on the way | Owner | The boat’s condition before departure | Service the engine and rig before the trip |
| Weather days | Agreed in the contract | Waiting in port for a safe window | Agree in writing whether weather days are paid and at what rate |
| Platform or agency fee | Depends on the service | The service that finds and checks the crew | Ask for it to be shown separately before you pay |
Day rate or fixed fee?
A day rate is simple and fair when the trip length is uncertain, but the total grows if the trip takes longer. A fixed fee gives you a known price; the skipper takes the risk of delays, so it may be higher to cover that.
Either way, ask which days are included: travel days, a preparation day to check the boat, the delivery itself, and any days waiting for weather.
Questions to ask every quote
- •Is this a day rate or a fixed fee — and which days count?
- •How many crew, and are their travel costs included?
- •What is the food allowance per person per day?
- •Are weather days paid, and at what rate?
- •Who pays fuel, marina fees and repairs on the way?
- •What happens if the boat has a breakdown that delays the trip?
Why the cheapest quote can be the most expensive
An inexperienced skipper who misjudges the weather, or a crew that is not qualified for the passage, can cost far more than the difference between two quotes — in damage, in an insurance claim that is refused, or in a delivery that never arrives. Compare quotes on what is included and on the skipper’s experience, not on the headline price alone.
On Maritime Delivery you post the trip with your dates, route and what you cover (travel, food, fuel). Verified crew apply with their price, you compare them side by side with their certificates and reviews, and your payment is held until both sides confirm the job is done.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for fuel on a yacht delivery?+
In most deliveries the owner pays for fuel, either by fuelling the boat before departure or by reimbursing receipts. Agree this in writing before the trip.
Does the owner pay the crew’s flights?+
Usually yes: travel to the boat and the trip home after delivery are normally paid by the owner, either in addition to the fee or included in a fixed price. Ask every skipper whether travel is included in their quote.
Are weather days paid?+
It depends on the agreement. Many skippers charge a reduced or full day rate for days spent waiting for safe weather. Agree the rate in advance so there are no surprises.
Is a fixed price better than a day rate?+
A fixed price gives you certainty; a day rate can be cheaper if the trip goes smoothly. For long or weather-dependent passages, many owners prefer a fixed price with a clear rule for exceptional delays.
Sources
Put it to work