Delivery Captain Questions

Strecker25

Well-Known Member
SILVER Sponsor
Nov 20, 2014
4,905
Rochester, NY
Boat Info
2002 410DA
Engines
Caterpillar 350HP 3126
Hi all, I know the responses to this question will vary widely so just looking for general answers.

we’re looking at 400/42/44 DB’s. I’m on Lake Ontario and it’s slim pickings up here, so we’ve expanded the search. I don’t want over the road transport and as much as I’d like to do the entire trip up from wherever we find a boat I don’t think I could swing it. I could do it in legs, but our season is short and I want the boat up here ASAP.

Anyways, there are a couple in the NY/NJ area that I like the look of as well as Great Lakes boats both north and west of Lake O.

How are delivery captain costs typically determined? Is it by duration or miles? I would imagine the buyer is on the hook for airfare and meals, obviously fuel and slip fees. What else?

Whatever information you all can share and of course recommendations for Northeast delivery captains is much appreciated.
Thanks!
 
I would only consider one guy for this move......Captain Rusty Higgins. For those who didn't know it, Rusty is now trtired from Brunswick and is delivering boats for Sea Ray owners, as well as Sea Ray dealers an several other brands.

The typical cost delivery captain is $400-$500/ day. Everyone has his own rate scale, that is a decent estimate to which you would need to add travel expenses to get him to and from the boat, meals while enroute, etc.
 
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I would only consider one guy for this move......Captain Rusty Higgins. For those who didn't know it, Rusty is nor trtired from Brunswick and is delivering boats for Sea Ray owners, as well as Sea Ray dealers an several other brands.

The typical cost delivery captain is $400-$500/ day. Everyone has his own rate scale, that is a decent estimate to which you would need to add travel expenses to get him to and from the boat, meals while enroute, etc.

thanks Frank. I’ll reach out to Rusty
 
Ryan, Just a word of caution. Don't move too soon on moving a boat so as to be at Waterford on opening day if you are coming up the Hudson. Make sure the Erie Canal is indeed open. Last spring we planned our trip home up the east coast to be at or near Waterford on opening day. You may remember the canal opening being delayed due to flooding and unsafe currents. We left our boat on the Hudson and rented a car and went home. At the same time the marina was jammed full of boats that had to be left there by hired captains when the owners decided it would be cheaper to fly them out and then back after the opening rather than pay them to sit. Hopefully this spring the weather will cooperate a little better for all the people moving boats home for the summer.
Good luck on your search. It's exciting times!
 
Ryan, Just a word of caution. Don't move too soon on moving a boat so as to be at Waterford on opening day if you are coming up the Hudson. Make sure the Erie Canal is indeed open. Last spring we planned our trip home up the east coast to be at or near Waterford on opening day. You may remember the canal opening being delayed due to flooding and unsafe currents. We left our boat on the Hudson and rented a car and went home. At the same time the marina was jammed full of boats that had to be left there by hired captains when the owners decided it would be cheaper to fly them out and then back after the opening rather than pay them to sit. Hopefully this spring the weather will cooperate a little better for all the people moving boats home for the summer.
Good luck on your search. It's exciting times!

thanks Mark, it sure is looking like a high water year yet again so that’s sound advice.

now, if you’d just sell us yours we could avoid much of this headache! ;)
 
We’re on Lake Michigan. In 2018, our delivery Capt. $650 and First Mate $350 for the day. Additional costs were boat fuel, food, rental car/gas/tolls for their return. It was $1800+ for the day.
 
Not sure I remember that trip correctly but it may take an extremely long time. I think one leg was 30 miles at 5kts and 8 locks. It could take two weeks. That would be expensive. It would be cheaper to take the time off from work and do it yourself.
 
Before I’d pay that I would look at bigger or newer boats near by, u never know what u may find.
 
Thanks all, waiting on the spring listing rush in this part of the country and Canada, we usually see a bunch in April/May.

just keeping options open but I agree that’s a hefty price to pay for transport. We’ll see!
 
If you find a boat on the Hudson or Long Island/CT area i know my surveyor on our 420 from last year is also a delivery captain. He has done the journey through the canals many times and is very familiar with your hopefully soon to be SeaRay. His name is Manny Rebelo and is in Peekskill if i recall.
All about timing, as 6 months ago there was a very nice 420 sitting on the Hudson... ;-)
 
I would only consider one guy for this move......Captain Rusty Higgins. For those who didn't know it, Rusty is now trtired from Brunswick and is delivering boats for Sea Ray owners, as well as Sea Ray dealers an several other brands.

The typical cost delivery captain is $400-$500/ day. Everyone has his own rate scale, that is a decent estimate to which you would need to add travel expenses to get him to and from the boat, meals while enroute, etc.
Plus with Rusty you will gain more knowledge about your vessel than any standard captain could provide. He also knows how to get shit done when things go wrong!
 

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