Yes, yachties (yacht crew) receive a base monthly salary and often earn substantial tips (gratuities) on top, especially on busy charter yachts, significantly boosting their overall income beyond just wages. While private yachts might only offer salary, charter yachts provide both, with tips adding hundreds to thousands of dollars per charter to a crew member's earnings, supplementing good base pay and minimal onboard living expenses.
The Below Deck Crew Makes A Salary & An Appearance Fee
The chef makes about $7,000-$10,000 a month, depending on experience and training. The deckhands usually make around $3,500-$4,500 a month, while a bosun would make a little more at approximately $5,000 monthly.
The comments made by the ``Below Deck'' crew about their current group of guests were inappropriate and beyond unprofessional. Our crew all believe that the show has now crossed the line of being bad for yachting, and especially bad for charter yachts.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $67,500 and as low as $22,500, the majority of Yacht Crew salaries currently range between $35,000 (25th percentile) to $51,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $60,000 annually across the United States.
On charter yachts, crew also receive tips, commonly around 10% of the charter fee, shared between the crew. On busy yachts, this can add €1,500–€5,000+ per charter, with exceptional weeks earning considerably more.
Yes, yacht crew are paid a monthly salary from yacht owners and can expect to receive tips on top of this from charter guests, if they work aboard a superyacht that does charter trips.
The 10% rule for yachts is a common guideline suggesting you budget roughly 10% of the boat's purchase price annually for all running costs and maintenance, covering things like fuel, insurance, marina fees, routine servicing, and unexpected repairs. This rule acts as a ballpark figure for yacht ownership expenses and helps owners estimate ongoing costs beyond the initial purchase, though actual expenses can vary significantly with boat age, size, usage, and location.
Do charter guests have to pay to be on TV show “Below Deck”? Yes, but there's a catch. On Below Deck, guests pay less ($15,000 to $40,000 for two to three days) to cover the costs of making the show.
The "12-person yacht rule" states that a private yacht carrying more than 12 passengers (excluding crew) must meet stricter, cruise-ship-level safety and certification standards under the SOLAS convention (Safety of Life at Sea), a United Nations maritime treaty, making them a "passenger ship". This limit applies to commercial charters; private trips have flexibility, but exceeding 12 guests on a commercial charter requires extensive, costly upgrades (like SOLAS-approved lifeboats, advanced fire systems) for the vessel, making it impractical for most.
So the straight answer is yes, you can get jobs on board superyachts if you have tattoos. Recruitment however, is obviously dependent upon the type of tattoos that you are sporting, and the individual views of the owner.
On a superyacht, the crew typically has their own designated sleeping quarters, which are separate from the guest accommodations. The location and layout of the crew quarters will vary depending on the size and design of the yacht, but they are typically located in a lower deck or in a separate area of the vessel.
Last month, Lee surprised Bravo fans when he slammed Sandy during a speaking engagement after being asked who is least favorite Below Deck star was. “My least favorite? Captain Sandy," he told the crowd in a video shared on social media. "And we all know why.
Captain Sandy Yawn was in jail multiple times due to severe alcoholism, leading to arrests for drinking and driving (DUI) and other alcohol-related offenses, including one night she had to stay overnight in jail, before she got sober in 1989. She struggled with addiction, stealing cars, and being constantly in trouble before turning her life around and pursuing a career in yachting.
Below Deck's Captain Lee Rosbach's net worth is reportedly between $800,000 to $1 million, according to sites like Cinemaholic and TheThings. He reportedly receives a salary of $150,000 to $210,000 a year working on a 185-foot superyacht, and has an active presence on Cameo, where fans can get a custom video for $250.
As we have now established that the show is an unscripted reality show following yacht crew, this doesn't mean that it's an accurate depiction of a yachtie's real life. The life of a yachtie as portrayed on the show is a bit different than what a yacht crew experiences in real life.
After the draining charter was finally over, Captain Glenn Shephard informed the crew that their tip was a measly $6,500 to be divided amongst them. When the episode aired, fans were furious at how cheap Erica and Charles were and slammed them on social media for leaving the worst tip in Below Deck history.
The barefoot rule for yachts and boats alike is an age-old practice made to keep the teak decks undamaged, and dirty soles away from the clean and sparkling floor. Commonly, shoes stay outside the cabin, and no shoes are worn on deck, also.
Tom Brady's primary yacht is the 77-foot Wajer 77, a Dutch-built "mini-superyacht" known for its luxury and speed, featuring four cabins, a full galley, and space for family and friends, with a notable upgrade from his previous 55-foot Wajer 55S.
Length of Journey
A 32ft yacht will max out at 6 knots (about 7mph) whereas a 50ft yacht will go significantly faster at around 15 knots and cruise at around 10 knots. The majority of average cruisers crossing the Atlantic will be on boats between 34 and 60ft with journey times between 16 and 30 days in good weather.
Chandler Brooks was fired from Below Deck season 6 due to his lack of leadership and the crew's dissatisfaction. Chandler started dating Jamie Jason from Below Deck Mediterranean after their respective seasons, but they are no longer together.
6. Why are shoes usually banned on Below Deck yachts? In both the show and real life, shoes are rarely allowed on deck. The rule protects delicate teak flooring from scratches, dents and dirt.
Production crew don't sleep on the yacht
With limited space on the yacht, it's already hard enough for the yachties to pretend the cameras aren't there. So when it comes time for the TV crew to clock-off for the day, they sleep on a separate boat or head to shore to stay in a hotel.
Rule 69 of the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS 69) deals with Misconduct, obligating competitors, boat owners, and support persons to avoid actions that breach good manners, good sportsmanship, unethical behavior, or bring the sport into disrepute, and it's resolved through protest committees rather than standard protests, often involving serious penalties like suspensions. Examples include physical threats, bullying, intentional rule-breaking, extreme foul language, or cheating, with investigation by a protest committee rather than a formal protest by another boat.
Officer's Epaulette
The epaulettes worn by officers often display three stripes, representing their position of authority and responsibility. The specific design and colour of the stripes may vary depending on the officer's rank, such as the first officer or second officer.
Skipping the tip can also lead to awkwardness if you book with the same yacht company again. Your crew may remember your party didn't tip last time and be less motivated to provide top-tier service. Avoid this uncomfortable situation by always tipping your crew appropriately.