Advice for starting a delivery boat business

[Captain Graham]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Might be an idea to learn how to do an emergency fuel bypass to a spare 25L jug of clean fuel as well.

Since you are in the business can I ask you, now many days last year did you spend delivering boats?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Captain Graham

Since you are in the business can I ask you, now many days last year did you spend delivering boats?

Hmmm..!!!! Days is difficult..
I did a UK to Greece trip of 2600nm followed by a July Miami to Gibraltar trans Atlantic of approximately 4200nm.
Later in the year I did a short 5 day delivery.. kinda local, W Spain to N Portugal.

[Captain Graham]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Hmmm..!!!! Days is difficult..
I did a UK to Greece trip of 2600nm followed by a July Miami to Gibraltar trans Atlantic of approximately 4200nm.
Later in the year I did a short 5 day delivery.. kinda local, W Spain to N Portugal.

Thanks for the feedback.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Captain Graham

Thanks for the feedback.

Just click on the picture link below and you can feed to your hearts content.. my delivery history along with details/pics of boats I have delivered and time taken..

[Captain Graham]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Just click on the picture link below and you can feed to your hearts content.. my delivery history along with details/pics of boats I have delivered and time taken..

So last year you spend about 70 days delivering boats on 3 trips.
Assuming $150 to$300 per day that would give you about $10,000 to $20,000 income.

After I retire, I want to earn about $10,000 to $15,000 delivering boats and another $10,000 to $15,000 doing training classes.
The difference is I will be doing shorter trips so will need more trips to get to the $10,000 to $15,000.

If my average trip is 5 days at $150 per day I will need 14 trips per year to make $10,500
5*14*15=$10,500

Before I retire I will be limited to 10 to 20 days doing delivers.
Or $1,500 to $3,000

Thanks again for the feedback.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Captain Graham

So last year you spend about 70 days delivering boats on 3 trips.
Assuming $150 to$300 per day that would give you about $10,000 to $20,000 income.

After I retire, I want to earn about $10,000 to $15,000 delivering boats and another $10,000 to $15,000 doing training classes.
The difference is I will be doing shorter trips so will need more trips to get to the $10,000 to $15,000.

If my average trip is 5 days at $150 per day I will need 14 trips per year to make $10,500
5*14*15=$10,500

Before I retire I will be limited to 10 to 20 days doing delivers.
Or $1,500 to $3,000

Thanks again for the feedback.

Excellent.. that leaves long distances open for the likes of me.. its very rare I take on less than 1000nm except for folk I know.. just not worth the hassle for me..
2000nm plus is ideal.. the longer the better.

[Cpt Mark]

Originally Posted by Captain Graham

Thank you for all of the advice.
I was thinking about now to check the fuel for contamination and fuel polishing seems like a good way to go.
I will still learn how to change fuel filters just in case.

You should know how to change fuel filters AND how to bleed Diesel engines. They go hand in hand and depending on the set-up only takes a few minutes.

[Captain Graham]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Excellent.. that leaves long distances open for the likes of me.. its very rare I take on less than 1000nm except for folk I know.. just not worth the hassle for me..
2000nm plus is ideal.. the longer the better.

The market is big and plenty of room for all.

[sanibel sailor]

Originally Posted by Captain Graham

Thank you for all of the advice.
I was thinking about now to check the fuel for contamination and fuel polishing seems like a good way to go.
I will still learn how to change fuel filters just in case.

None of my business, but... Kinda surprised that you've got a Master's license and teaching credentials and haven't learned to change fuel filters yet. I always thought keeping a diesel alive was pretty fundamental. If you don't know this already, I would be a little wary of hiring you for a delivery.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Captain Graham

The market is big and plenty of room for all.

Dream on..

[Captain Graham]

Originally Posted by sanibel sailor

None of my business, but... Kinda surprised that you've got a Master's license and teaching credentials and haven't learned to change fuel filters yet. I always thought keeping a diesel alive was pretty fundamental. If you don't know this already, I would be a little wary of hiring you for a delivery.

I do not have any marine diesel engine experience.
I did own an old diesel car but that does not really count.
This is one of the reasons I will be working as a mate for the next 5 years before decided if I will make the step to becoming the Captain.

[Uricanejack]

Originally Posted by sanibel sailor

None of my business, but... Kinda surprised that you've got a Master's license and teaching credentials and haven't learned to change fuel filters yet. I always thought keeping a diesel alive was pretty fundamental. If you don't know this already, I would be a little wary of hiring you for a delivery.

Why would a Master need to know how to change fuel filters? Is it part of the syllabus for a Master certificate?

[Uricanejack]

Actually I would second the advice learn how to bleed a diesel and change fuel filters JIK it comes in handy.

[Snore]

Originally Posted by Uricanejack

Why would a Master need to know how to change fuel filters. Is it part of the syllabus for a Master certificate.

LOL. Because on a delivery “stuff” happens. A good delivery skipper can navigate, sail and McGyver solutions to all sorts of issues. If you can’t do basic repairs like changing a filter, you do the customer a disservice.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Uricanejack

Why would a Master need to know how to change fuel filters? Is it part of the syllabus for a Master certificate?

Because ones crew on a delivery may/likely not know how to do so.. he's looking to do deliveries not skipper a frickin ship with engineers etc..
He should know at a minimum what the average boat owner should know.. and if he wants to be any good he needs to know that bit more.
Good enuf reason.???