Yacht management and crew for larger yachts
Boats of 50 ft and over often need a manager and a crew. A management company looks after maintenance, berth and compliance, and a crew runs the boat.
Updated 2 min read
Key points
- A management company covers maintenance planning, cleaning, berthing and paperwork.
- Crew roles: captain, deckhand, and on charter a steward or cook.
- Employment rules depend on the flag, the crew's nationality and your residence. Take advice.
When you need help
A 50 ft boat has more systems, more weight and more rules than a 40 ft one. Many owners find that a manager or a crew saves them time and avoids expensive errors. See Yacht sizes: 30, 40, 50, 60 ft. What actually changes?.
What a management company does
- Plans and carries out maintenance, and keeps the records. See The annual maintenance schedule and antifouling.
- Books the haul-out, the yard work and the winter storage.
- Pays bills for the berth, insurance and taxes on your behalf.
- Handles registration renewals and safety inspections. See How to register a yacht in Spain: Lista 6 vs Lista 7 (commercial vs private).
- Arranges cleaning and provisioning before your arrival.
- Can supply crew.
Fee structures differ: a fixed monthly fee, a percentage of costs, or hourly rates. Ask for the scope in writing, and for a list of what is extra.
Crew
- Captain or skipper: responsible for the boat and the guests. Licence and experience must match the boat. See Skipper licences in Spain: PNB, PER, Patrón and Capitán de Yate, and foreign licence recognition.
- Deckhand or mate: handles lines, tender, cleaning, maintenance.
- Steward or cook: on larger boats and on charter.
Employment
Hiring crew creates obligations: a contract, pay, social security and insurance. The rules depend on the flag, the crew's nationality and residence, and whether the boat is private or charter. Take advice from a lawyer or an agency, and do not treat a handshake as an arrangement. Check that the insurer covers the named crew.
Day workers and seasonal crew
Many owners hire a skipper by the day or for the season, and a cleaner by the week. That can be cheaper than permanent crew and lets you scale up for the summer.
How to choose
- Ask other owners in your marina who they use.
- Meet the captain before you hire. They run your boat.
- Check references and licences.
- Agree reporting: a monthly report with hours, costs and issues.
Related guides
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; check your own case with a professional or ask us.