How big without a crew?

[Streetrod]

Following on from the current Pershing thread, I was wondering, how big can you go with a motor yacht before a full time crew or captain is required? As an example you are family of four with two kids under 12

[schmalex]

Around 60' - 70' I would have thought, although it all depends on how good the helmsman is, really!

[Simpo Two]

Streetrod said:

family of four with two kids under 12

That's a crew of three and two fenders



Ah, I think the kids are included in the four. Make that crew of one and two fenders then.

[Rum Runner]

I ran a 70 flybridge with just me and the Mrs, its not driving it its the constant maintenance and up keep.
Even if you drive it yourself you will need it to be looked after by someone ashore for a good number of days per week.

[cabbron]

the fellas i know who have gone big enjoy the tender and/or jet ski's more than the mother ship.biggest for me so far is 25ft on a trailer and pampered like a car,easy on your driveway.

[IM NUTS2]

You could easily handle a 100ft Powerboat with just 2 of you, and with modern remote bow and stern thrusters it makes things even easier, if the boat was to be chartered out then 3 crew would be fine depending on the level of service you offered you could get away with 2 crew.

Of course there is the maintenance, general weekly cleaning and anti fouling but that would be no different to someone who owns a 40ft boat just on a larger scale.

I've worked on and run a few boats in the 70-90ft bracket with just 2 crew.

[Rum Runner]

IM NUTS2 said:

You could easily handle a 100ft Powerboat with just 2 of you, and with modern remote bow and stern thrusters it makes things even easier, if the boat was to be chartered out then 3 crew would be fine depending on the level of service you offered you could get away with 2 crew.

Of course there is the maintenance, general weekly cleaning and anti fouling but that would be no different to someone who owns a 40ft boat just on a larger scale.

I've worked on and run a few boats in the 70-90ft bracket with just 2 crew.

I think it depends very very much how much shore-side support you have. Certainly with 90ft it would never work in the Caribbean where you need to do everything yourself. Also it depends on how busy your schedule is, 24hr / 48hr Turn rounds with 2 on this size of boat nearly impossible. Delivering a proper charter on a 90ft with 2 is not going to provide proper service, especially to Americans who are paying 50k USD for week.
I now broker charters instead of running the boats, I would never book a Charter on a 90ft boat with 2 crew.
As 70ft flybridge in the Carib is one hell of a lot of work for a couple and if there are plenty of bookings you will end up fairly rung out....
On flip side I do know some captains in the Med who will ring up manufacture service Dept to change a light bulb, as the boats hardly move off the dock, while the captains spend most of there day in the beauty saloon...

Edited by Rum Runner on Sunday 12th June 13:19