41° 23′ N 2° 10′ ECrew roles · Sailing superyachts
Sailing Superyacht Captain: Role, Certificates and Salary
On a sailing superyacht the captain is skipper, manager and the person the whole crew looks to when the wind gets up.
We recruit captains for sailing superyachts only. This page explains what owners expect from a sailing yacht captain today, the certificates that matter, typical salaries, and how we find and assess candidates. For open positions, see current roles.
What the captain of a sailing yacht does
The captain is legally responsible for the yacht, her crew and guests. On a sailing yacht that means more than navigation: passage planning around weather windows, sail plans, heavy-weather tactics and long night watches.
- Safe operation, compliance with flag state and the ISM or safety management system.
- Hiring, leading and developing a crew that is usually smaller than on a motor yacht of the same length.
- Budgets, yard periods, refits and the relationship with the management company and the owner.
- Guest experience on charter: itineraries, sailing days and anchorages that suit the boat.
Certificates and experience
- Certificate of competency matching the yacht's tonnage and area, for example MCA Master (Yacht) 200 GT, 500 GT or 3000 GT, or the flag state's equivalent. Smaller yachts may accept a commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Ocean.
- GMDSS General Operator's Certificate, STCW basic safety and advanced training, and a valid ENG1 or equivalent medical.
- Sailing command experience: ocean crossings, deliveries, racing or regattas on large sailing yachts. Owners often ask how many miles a candidate has as captain under sail, not only in total.
- Refit or new-build experience, and languages, are a real advantage for many programmes.
Sailing yacht captain salary
| Position | Below 30 m | 30–39 m | 40–49 m | 50–59 m |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain | 5,000–6,000 | 6,000–9,000 | 9,000–13,000 | 11,000–16,000 |
Euros per month, by yacht length. Source: Yotspot salary guidelines (checked November 2026), which cover all superyachts. Actual pay depends on the programme (private or charter), your experience and certificates, and whether the role is permanent, seasonal or rotational; charter yachts usually add tips. We never charge crew any fee.
How we recruit sailing yacht captains
Lawrence, our founder, was Chief Officer on sailing superyachts. We interview every captain about real situations at sea, check certificates and sea service, and speak with previous owners and management companies. We also look at leadership: how a captain builds a team and handles pressure, because on a small sailing crew that shapes the whole season.
Owners and managers can start a captain search; captains can register with us for free.
41° 23′ N 2° 10′ EOpen positions
Open positions
38° 54′ N 1° 26′ EQuestions
Questions
What qualifications does a sailing superyacht captain need?
A certificate of competency for the yacht's size and area (for example Master (Yacht) 200, 500 or 3000 GT, or a flag-state equivalent), GMDSS GOC, STCW and a valid ENG1 medical, plus proven sailing command experience.
How much does a sailing yacht captain earn?
According to Yotspot's salary guidelines, about €5,000–6,000 a month below 30 m, €6,000–9,000 on 30–39 m and €9,000–13,000 on 40–49 m, depending on the programme, experience and contract.
Do you recruit captains for motor yachts?
No. We work only with sailing yachts, so every captain we put forward has sailing command experience.