r/yachting

I am a 23 year old female who has grown up with loving boats hers whole life I have a strong passion for them I have worked as a tour guide previously and worked all over the place on different islands. I have been thinking long and hard what I want to do for a living and I know I want to get into sales but I know with sales you should be selling something your passionate about and for me that’s boats. I can talk to anyone I have excellent communication skills and I am very out going. Aside from this I’m also very determined and driven to better myself I love having goals and having ambition and I know I would thrive in selling boats. I don’t have my boat license cause I never really got around to getting it as I was always moving around and never really knew what I wanted to do in life. I know I’m going to get that now and I do want to do some more courses to gain as much knowledge as I can. I am based in QLD Australia my ultimate goal is to be a successful yacht broker and I know I will accomplish this my question is for anyone that is in the industry, knows about it or has general knowledge what courses should I do. I know there’s lots of online courses but I really can’t make up my mind what will benefit me the most. I am in the process of finding a mentor to guide me in my journey but at this point all I want to do is gain as much knowledge as possible. Any advice would be appreciated. :)

A few of my friends that live on their boats keep telling me that smaller trawler yachts (less than 50ft) are better to cruise on than massive superyachts. One couple lives full time on a 42 foot with stabilizers, and they say it is more fuel efficient and can dock anywhere. They found spare parts water pumps on ali baba for about half the price over at the marina. Another friend swears that aluminum hulls are better than fiberglass in rough water because of that. But here is our dilemma is single diesel engine with an outboard in the back, as a sort of safety mechanism, better than twin engines? How important is a fast watermaker on long distance trips? Some say you can just collect rain. Live a boards, what is the most nasty thing about your galley equipment on a small yacht? And, do you like bow thrusters or do you just use prop walk?

Im 21 male. Currently working as a small yacht mechanic in Saint Augustine.
I want to find a position on a larger charter yacht either deckhand or engineer.
I’ve got no prior experience crewing on yachts so what should I do to break into this industry?
Quickest way?
How’s the social life among crew?
Age range of crew?
Pay?
What should be my next steps?

We’re 3-4 friends visiting Hvar this summer and trying to find a 3-4 day yacht/sailing experience around the islands.

We’re not looking for a full 7-day party sail. More like:

• sleep on the yacht
• visit different bays/islands
• swimming stops
• beach clubs/restaurants
• relaxed but fun vibe

Places like Vis, Pakleni Islands, Blue Cave, etc.

Most things I find online are either:

• full week charters
• massive luxury yachts
• or party boats with huge groups

So I wanted to ask:

• Do shorter 3-4 day charters like this exist?
• Is private charter realistic for 3-4 people?
• Any companies or routes you’d recommend?

Would especially love advice from people who’ve done this around Hvar recently.

We did a few nice Greece island-hopping trips last summer but always felt like we were missing the private cove + onboard chef experience. We’re now planning a 7-day trip (6 of us) in Turkey/Croatia this July.

Can someone recommend a trustworthy broker that actually delivers, we’re also trying to avoid the ultra-rich price tag.

he’s raised by a healthy family household, very respectful and emotionally intelligent. Still he is a male
I can’t help but think if he does end up doing this job will he eventually cheat on me ? Banging stews? He will be away 6 months every year. I don’t know what to think.
I’ve seen alot of people say they will eventually and these captains bang stews or sleep around since they are in another country or whatever but yea please let me know. I’ve never seen him as someone who would do that but I feel like these rich people he would work for could possibly influence him , kinda like wolf in Wall Street. When the main guy changes and turns to a complete A-Hole

I sailed professionally back in the day all over the world. Therefore I still get asked this quite often and did just last night.

The obvious answer is: “it depends what you’re looking for” but that’s a cop out

My all out answer is: The British Virgin Islands

But I’m very interested to hear - what’s the best sailing location you’ve ever been to?

I’d like to know everyone’s thoughts on this because my boyfriend is thinking of becoming a private yacht captain so he’ll be in the Caribbean 6 months then 6 months with me every year…

I just wanna know if its realy posible to maintain a healthy relationship, even marry and have children. how donyou balance your relationships with people on land???

I know yatchies that have relationships. But im not a yatchie, (My job is online/remote so i can travel)
he is 38 (M), we have been dating for about 2 years, he has been yachting for about +16 years as a first officer/captain. His family and 1 are from the same city, I have visited him 3 times last year when he was working. It was really expensive for me going to the other side of the world , but i really do love him.

Also he is currently looking for his next job so i dont know how his rotation will be or if he is gonna be on the other side of the world or not lol.

Looking for a luxury yacht charter in Texas for a private experience, and wanted to get some recommendations for companies or rentals. Interested in something clean, professional, and well-maintained with good service.

Hi! I am 27M and I am currently employed as a Fourth Engineer in international merchant marine vessel specifically in Bulk carriers. I would like to ask if I can transition into yachting?

I am an experiend in maintenance of:

Pumps

Sewage treatment Plants

Fresh Water Generator

Diesel Generator

Boilers

Purifiers

Heat exchangers, etc.

I have already accumulated a total of 60 months sea service, 24 months of those are 3 contracts as an engineer officer aboard.

I have C1/D US Visa, I also have my STCW III/1 certificate for EOOW (expiry is on 2029). I also have my STCW certificates on Basic Training, PSCRB, PFRB, MEFA, AFF, SAT/SDSD

I am confident in my skills and with interpersonal skills. Hardwork is no issue, and I have already worked with multicultural crew. Hoping to be seen here. Thanks!

Hello everyone!
I’m a 23 year old Man looking to get into the yachting industry, i have a lot of experience working as deckhand in Diving boats since im a Dive Instructor.
As for now these are my certifications:

PADI Instructor
EFR Instructor
STCW
Jet Ski license
Kayak and Paddleboard Guide
Snorkel Instructor

My goal is to be a Deckhand and move forward to be a Captain someday. In the meantime i love working as a Deckhand but would like to be involved in the watersport activities a yacht has to offer. Is that realistic?

Also, if you have any extra certificate recommendations i appreciate it 🙏

After a couple of broker let-downs last year (yacht photos looked nothing like reality and the crew was clearly just average).

I’m finally planning a 10-day family trip in Turkey/Greece this summer. I’m trying to gather some recs from people who’s got a truly reliable company they trust for vetted gulets or motor yachts.

TIA.

Hello, everyone. I’m Milo, 29, Male and residing here in Philippines. I am a highly adaptable hospitality professional with over seven years of experience in high-end food and beverage service, most recently serving as a Waiter, Assistant Waiter and Restaurant Steward for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. I specialize in providing personalized, attentive service in fast-paced maritime environments where maintaining professional standards and safety protocols is the top priority. During my time at sea from 2019 to 2025, I became an expert at anticipating guest needs and managing mis-en-place for complex dining operations. I also bring a solid educational foundation in Hotel and Restaurant Services, which has helped me consistently meet the rigorous standards. While I’ve enjoyed the scale of cruise lines, I’m now looking to transition into the private yachting sector. I want to apply my 'sea legs' and my obsession with detail to a more bespoke, elite environment where I can provide a truly one-on-one luxury experience for owners and their guests. I’m confident that my ability to work under pressure and my commitment to excellence make me a perfect fit for Interior Team. However I have visible tattoos, both left and right arms. Any advice how to start my yachting career?

I want to be a yachty, but I don't know how to swim. I was planning to take lessons at a swimming school and then get all my certifications and requirements and CV ready, and then try applying before maybe in the middle of the season.

How good do your swimming skills need to be? Right now, I'm starting at zero. Is that really bad?
Am I being overly optimistic, thinking that I can learn how to swim and then get all this stuff ready and find a job before the season is over?

Or am I better off trying for Caribbean season or next year?