Is Your Yacht Mrs Right, Or Mrs Right Now?

Is your yacht giving you what you need?

Is your yacht Mrs Right or Mrs Right Now? ;)

Are things worth changing, or does the sea look bluer over there?

Crew wanting to make a go of this yachting life should always watch their career path. It would be best to make regular checks that you’re not floating off course.

So, is it time for a course correction? Or could a course be just what you need?

23 Questions to Ask Yourself to See if It’s Time to Change Yachts

Let’s review a few questions you must ask yourself to determine whether it’s time for a change. We suggest you get a piece of paper to track your responses and get into the pros and cons of your current position.

• Are you happy on board? 
• What do you like about the boat? 
• What don’t you like about the boat?
• Would your skill level improve if you stayed on the boat for another 12 months? 
• What do you still want to learn from your current HOD?
• What are the advantages to your career of staying?
• What are the disadvantages to your career of staying?
• Is there a clear promotion track for you on board? 
• Are you being mentored/trained to improve your skillset?
• Are you getting sufficient sea miles to progress in your career?
• Are you getting opportunities and support to do courses?
• Do you feel you are respected and valued?
• Does your yacht have a wide variety of guests to build your guest experience skills?
• Is your salary package up to standard? Are there better packages out there?
• Are you getting opportunities to use state-of-the-art equipment and water toys?
• Does your yacht have a good name in the industry?
• Have you worked on other boats? 
• Are you aware of what’s out there?
• Are you being paid what someone of your skill and experience should be? 
• Have you considered a change to another department?
• Could you reach your financial goals faster on another boat?
• Does your yacht cruise in various countries or stay in one spot?
• Have you ever worked on a different-sized vessel or a sailboat/motor?
• What would you love to learn or master? Can you learn this by staying?

There are many pros to your career of staying put, like longevity and security. You tend to know what you’ll get on the boat you’re on. It’s safe. Predictable.

But at a certain point, you must move on if you are to be considered a well-rounded crew member. Different yachts do things very differently. It’s essential to get a range of experiences across different types of boats: different mechanical and navigation systems, different owners, different crews, different service styles, and different itineraries.

Your career will benefit from some variety. And as a person, you probably do too! New people and new challenges are essential catalysts for personal growth.

But it would be best if you also were strategic. You should always fully consider career moves and do a bit of quiet shopping before deciding to move on. (We can help you with discreet job research to discover what’s out there.)

But don’t move just for the sake of it. Stand your ground if your yacht still has much to offer you from a career standpoint. On the other hand, if you feel that you have learnt what you need from this chapter of your life, start considering your move onto a new boat that will get you onto the next rung of the yachting ladder.

Please contact our crew placement team if you have any questions about opportunities or salary expectations or our training division if you have queries about courses or sea time requirements for progression.

We are always here to help you keep your yachting career on course.