Come si diventa skipper e quanto si guadagna
How to become a skipper and how much you can earn
BECOMING A SKIPPER FOR MOTOR-POWERED OR SAILING BOATS is an increasingly widespread phenomenon. The demand for motor boat capitains is very high.
Of course, being a skipper is a hard work, of great responsibility, but it cannot be denied that it is a versatile job, relatively accessible and, above all, coveted by many sea enthusiasts for whom sailing is a dream.
Even in this difficult 2020, plagued by the current health emergency, this trend has been considerably confirmed. Boat holidays have been preferred as the safest and best holiday option by thousands of people, often beginners. As a result, after the winter lockdown in Italy, bookings registered unexpected numbers and many charter companies had to use all their fleets and engage every single skipper available.
WHO IS THE SKIPPER?
The skipper is the captain of a boat, the one to whom the responsibility of the vessel and the crew is entrusted. Everything revolves around his experience, authority and technical ability, better if acquired on multiple boat models. At a working level, a skipper has the opportunity to convey his experience in many sectors: making transfers or carrying out the duties of captain aboard another boat. Undoubtedly, however, it is the charter world that needs skippers, thus representing the privileged workplace for those who choose this job.
We have interviewed the chartering expert and skipper trainer Lucas Lucarelli, owner of the charter society and skipper school Madmax.
“In the next few years, boat cruises will open up to an even wider clientele, where true enthusiasts will be only a small niche. Boats will increasingly be an alternative to seaside villas and beach resorts. It is no coincidence that catamarans are the most requested models and many charter companies are converting their fleets in favor of these boats. Multihulls, however, are more difficult to maneuver, so there will be an increasing need for skilled and experienced skippers”. What is certain is that the skipper’s role is increasingly important on board.
Nata nel 2008, la Madmax Skippers School è una scuola di alta formazione rivolta a coloro che vogliono intraprendere la carriera di skipper. A gestirla è Lucas Lucarelli, fondatore e ideatore del metodo Madmax, nonché skipper di catamarani da oltre 20 anni. Il programma si articola in 21 giorni full immersion vissuti a bordo di un catamarano. Madmax è l’unica scuola che garantisce l’ingaggio a tutti i promossi.
Info: www.madmaxcharter.it
Founded in 2008, Madmax Skippers School is a high training school for all those who want to pursue a career as a skipper. It is managed by Lucas Lucarelli, founder and creator of the Madmax method, as well as catamaran skipper for over 20 years. The program is divided into 21 full immersion days spent on board a catamaran. Madmax is the only school that guarantees the engagement to the successful students
Info: www.madmaxcharter.it
“Today, a good chartering experience require a good skipper. You can have the most beautiful boat in the world, at the best price in the world, in the best weather conditions in the world but if your skipper is not skilled and kind, your holiday will be a nightmare and the crew will get dissatisfied.
And this for a charter company means to nullify all the time and money efforts invested in the business. In percentage terms, I would say that the skipper’s value to date represents 60% of a charter experience as a whole“.
HOW CAN A SKIPPER BE A GOOD SKIPPER? Passion, practical experience, rigorous and qualified training are essential. It is one thing to be a skipper with friends or family, another is to be a professional skipper.
“The skipper’s job requires seriousness, competence and professionalism – explains Lucas Lucarelli –. Superficiality and approximation, tolerated in the past, are now no longer allowed. However, there are candidates who, despite boasting titles and wearing the classic skipper’s uniform with gloves cut on the fingers, tactical hat and designer wax, actually they do not even know how to coax a rope, panic when mooring in crosswinds or, in front of a clogged toilet, close the bathroom door and don’t care abiout this”.
HOW MUCH DOES A SKIPPER EARN? According to our survey, a professional skipper in Italy, aboard a monohull up to 50-52 feet, takes 180 euros per day, while on a catamaran the fee is 200 euros per day.
On larger boats and luxury yachts, you can earn 250-300 euros per day. Tips excluded!