Delivery Skipper
Delivery captain
A delivery skipper is a paid professional skipper hired to sail a yacht from one port to another, typically without the owner on board.
TL;DR, A delivery skipper is hired to move a yacht from A to B, normally without the owner aboard. The work is one-off, paid by day rate or per nautical mile, and the skipper typically carries the licences (Yachtmaster Offshore or higher), the safety training, and a delivery contract template.
Delivery skipper vs charter captain
A delivery skipper takes a yacht on a passage; a charter captain runs a yacht for paying guests. The two roles overlap (the licences are the same), but a delivery skipper rarely takes passengers and is paid by the owner of the boat, not by guests.
How delivery skippers price work
- Per nautical mile: typical range €3 to €8 per nm on monohulls under 50 ft, €5 to €12 for catamarans and larger sailing yachts
- Day rate: €200 to €500 per day plus expenses
- Flat fee: for one-off long passages where the captain owns the schedule risk
On top of the captain's rate, the owner usually pays fuel, marina fees, captain travel home, and on-board provisioning.
What an owner expects from a delivery skipper
- A current professional licence appropriate to the route (Yachtmaster Offshore for most of Europe, Yachtmaster Ocean for transatlantic, MCA Master 200 for vessels above 24 metres or 200 GT)
- A written passage plan
- A daily position and well-being update during the passage
- A handover at the destination port with engine hours, fuel state, and a short condition report
Related reading
Related terms
Yachtmaster Offshore
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore is the British sailing qualification that allows a skipper to command a vessel of up to 24 metres on passages up to 150 nautical miles from a safe haven.
Passage Plan
A passage plan is the written, route-by-route plan a skipper produces before a yacht leaves port, covering navigation, weather, contingencies, and onboard responsibilities.
Read further
How much does a yacht delivery cost in 2026? Prices by route, day rates and what's included
What a 40 ft yacht delivery really costs in 2026: €3–8/NM skipper rates, 20 routes priced, and what's included vs. extra. Try the free cost estimator.
How to find your first yacht delivery
Five practical steps to land your first paid yacht delivery, from building a profile that owners trust to negotiating fair terms.
Skip the homework
A captain who actually sails your route will explain the licence angle better than any glossary entry. Get an offer