Bareboat Troubles

[@hmerlo]

Hi Kevin, just started to watch your videos and enjoy them very much, I just passed my OUPV also and doing the masters next month, so it great to hear about your captains experience in Chicago, I keep mine at Burnham.

[@grantpeachey6908]

lesson learned i guess always make sure the bout is operational and if ankering check ground tackle and machinery (you're Responsible)

[@waterwethinking1142]

I'd say it was a rookie mistake, but I'm not a rookie!

[@FloridaYachtInsuranceGuy]

Great video. I have this crazy idea about doing day/weekend charters eventually after a couple years of good experience. We would be in Florida when we did. Is it worth it for the money, how much is normally charged to charter your own boat. Thanks.

[@waterwethinking1142]

I'm only doing bareboat charters at the moment, but will hopefully be doing more work soon on different types of vessels. In Chicago the bareboat market is HOT with 35-40 foot boats renting for about $350-$400 per hour and captains getting $100 per hour plus tip. The boats need to be legal for this which has a cost but isn't extravagant. I like the idea of only working as a captain and not owning the boats since I get to set my own schedule and don't have to take less desirable charters to pay the bills on the boat. Legally you can't captain your own bareboat so it makes great work for people like me to jump on someone else's boat and drive it without worrying about it. I always take great care of the boats, but I'm not paranoid with every single random noise or odd shudder in the hull. I can't speak for the owners and what they are making, but there are a lot of people doing it in Chicago and they keep adding more boats to their fleets, so it must be working. I'm also not sure about other markets, Florida may be saturated already, but I just don't know.

[@FloridaYachtInsuranceGuy]

@@waterwethinking1142 Thats awesome, I am looking into getting my captains license now so when we shove off it will have a couple years behind it and hopefully bode well with the insurance rate. Good luck and really enjoy your videos!!!

[@charlesdavenport2543]

I lasted 6 years working charters. Yep, job burnout is a thing.

[@waterwethinking1142]

I'm sure this isn't a lifelong career, but it is fun for now!

[@mikehlavinka2964]

You need to reconsider your plan once you realize your equipment is not working. Once you realize you had a broken windless anchoring becomes a exercise in futility. As Captain you should have done a walk-through of The Craft making sure you knew the locations of all PDFs, emergency medical kit, fire extinguishers (checking the dates on them), life preserver before you ever left dock.

[@waterwethinking1142]

I always go through any boat before I take it out and know where everything is and its validity. I knew the windlass wasn't working normally, but understood the issue and figured I could work through it. It was a mistake I guess I'll not make again.

[@greensdreams]

Hey Kevin. Been following you for a while. Coming to Chicago end of August for a wedding. Might you know anyone who would rent their boat out to 4 adult boaters to stay on for the weekend vs a hotel? I have done that on my Sea Ray and just wondered if you knew anyone?

[@waterwethinking1142]

Let me ask around, what dates exactly?