Yacht Crew: Roles, Hiring & Costs | Buyer's Guide
Yacht Crew: Roles, Hiring & Costs
Above a certain size, crew define the ownership experience — and a large slice of the running budget.
When you need crew
Many owners run boats up to the low-20-metre range themselves. Beyond that, a captain and crew become the norm — and the single biggest ongoing cost after the yacht itself.
The key roles
A typical crewed yacht has a captain, engineer (on larger vessels), deckhands, a chef and interior/stewardess crew. The mix scales with size, guest numbers and how the yacht is used.
Hiring well
Qualifications, references, sea time and the right personality fit all matter — the captain sets the tone for everything. Reputable crew agencies and proper contracts protect both owner and crew.
Budget realistically
Crew salaries, rotation, training, uniforms and travel add up. Building an honest crew budget before you buy prevents the most common ownership surprise. NGY helps you model total running costs before you commit.
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