During the off-season, yachties focus on maintenance and refits, undertake personal development through training and qualifications, enjoy well-deserved vacations, and pursue professional growth by networking for new roles, often relocating to winter hubs like the Caribbean or Florida to find work or relax before the next charter season begins.
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.
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.
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.
Traditionally, there are two major yachting seasons that determine where most yachts will be cruising. In the summer months, yachts cruise the idyllic Mediterranean waters, while in the winter the yachting activity migrates to the vibrant Caribbean and USA.
Are the guests on Below Deck real? Yes. Charter guests pay for their trips, usually at a discounted rate. Their tips go directly to the crew, following standard superyacht etiquette, which is typically around 15–20% of the yacht's full charter fee.
There are several reasons why wearing shoes onboard is generally discouraged: Protecting the Deck: As mentioned, yacht decks are often made from soft or delicate materials like teak wood, which can be easily scratched by shoes. Even small amounts of dirt or pebbles caught in the soles can leave permanent marks.
Captain Sandy Yawn of Below Deck has a net worth of $400,000 according to The Sun. A seasoned veteran in sailing, she receives the same salary between $150,000 to $210,000 and the $5,000 to $6,000 a month appearance fee.
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.
🏆💸 Stream the latest episode on @peacock. Now, the tip. Not every tip is always going to be as big as the first tip but success is much about how we pivot and rebound. So, in this case, what I love is these charter clients actually saw how hard you worked and so they decided to give you $40, 000.
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.
Captain Sandy Yawn was in jail multiple times due to severe alcoholism, primarily for drinking and driving offenses, which led to numerous arrests and a court-ordered detox at age 17 before she sought sobriety. Her struggles with alcohol, including using drugs, caused a destructive lifestyle that landed her in jail and institutions before she found recovery, celebrating years of sobriety in August 2022 and 1989 respectively, as she's recounted in interviews and on social media.
While exact figures vary, Ben Robinson (Chef) is often cited as the wealthiest cast member due to his multiple seasons and post-show ventures, with estimates around $2.5-$3 million, but Captains like Lee Rosbach & Glenn Shephard earn significantly more annually (hundreds of thousands) from salaries and large tips, though their net worths are harder to pin down, with Captain Glenn estimated at $1.5M.
Rule 69 of the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) addresses misconduct, obligating competitors, owners, and support persons to not engage in behavior that breaches good manners, sportsmanship, or ethics, or brings the sport into disrepute. It covers serious offenses like bullying, intimidation, cheating, or foul language, and is handled by Protest Committees, not through standard protests, requiring hearings for investigation and potential penalties.
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.
She's owned by Carolyn Aronson, founder of It's Attend Haircare, hence her name.
The vessel that currently tops the list as the largest yacht to charter is the impressive 136m (446ft) superyacht FLYING FOX. Delivered by Lürssen in 2019, this spectacular yacht can accommodate up to 25 guests across 11 sumptuous cabins, all of which come complete with their own intimate sea terraces.
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.
Leah Shafer savors her life as a wife, mother, entertainer…. And just recently, she became licensed as an aesthetician and is providing medical grade services with a variety of facials in her new business “Skin By Leah”.
According to Cinemaholic, the Florida-based skipper is worth approximately $1 million.
The colour green is unlucky on board
Secondly, they believe it to be linked to the colour of mould, which could corrode the wood of sailing ships and cause the vessel to sink. To avoid any unfortunate fate, it was advised to not wear the colour or have anything green on board.
17's episode, Bravo viewers watched as Captain Sandy Yawn fired the longtime chief stewardess after undeclared Valium and a CBD pen were found among her belongings by co-star Malia White. For an exclusive chat with E! News, the now pregnant reality star sounded off on her firing, Captain Sandy and more.
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.