How much does a yacht bosun earn?

Yacht bosun salaries in 2026 range from $48,000–$60,000 on yachts under 80ft to $72,000–$96,000 on 130ft+ superyachts. On charter yachts, tips add $15,000–$35,000 per season. The bosun is the senior deckhand who manages the deck crew and reports directly to the captain or first mate.

What is the difference between a bosun and a deckhand?

A bosun (boatswain) is the senior deck crew member who supervises all deckhands and is responsible for managing the deck department's maintenance schedule, inventory, and crew performance. A deckhand executes tasks assigned by the bosun. The bosun is a management role that requires both technical skill and leadership ability.

What qualifications does a yacht bosun need?

A bosun should hold STCW full certification, RYA Powerboat Level 2, and typically an AB (Able Seaman) rating. On larger yachts, a Bosun Certificate of Competency or Yacht Rating certificate is increasingly expected. Strong rigging knowledge and experience with all deck machinery (windlass, winches, davits) is essential.

Is bosun a good career step?

Yes. The bosun role is the critical bridge between deckhand and officer. Bosuns who pursue their OOW 500GT licence while in the role typically reach their first captain's command 3–4 years faster than those who wait. The management experience gained as bosun — scheduling, crew discipline, inventory control — is directly transferable to the first mate role.

Yacht Bosun Salary 2026: What Does a Superyacht Bosun Earn?

📅 May 8, 2026 ⏱️ 10 min read ✍️ Yacht Cost Calculator Team

Quick Answer

Yacht bosun salaries in 2026 range from $48,000–$60,000 on smaller yachts to $84,000–$108,000 on 150ft+ superyachts. The bosun is the senior deckhand who manages the entire deck crew — scheduling, maintenance, and tender operations — and reports directly to the first mate or captain. On charter yachts, tips add $10,000–$45,000 per season. Total annual compensation for an experienced bosun on a 100ft charter yacht: $80,000–$110,000.

Small yacht

$48K–$60K

Under 80ft · 3–5 yrs experience

Mid-size

$60K–$78K

80–120ft · 5–8 yrs · AB rating

Superyacht

$72K–$96K

130ft+ · 8+ yrs · full STCW

Yacht Bosun Salary by Vessel Size: 2026 Full Breakdown

Yacht Length	Base Salary	Charter Tips (season)	Total Compensation
Under 60ft	$40,000–$50,000	$8,000–$14,000	$48,000–$64,000
60–80ft	$48,000–$60,000	$10,000–$18,000	$58,000–$78,000
80–100ft	$56,000–$70,000	$14,000–$24,000	$70,000–$94,000
100–130ft	$64,000–$80,000	$16,000–$30,000	$80,000–$110,000
130–150ft	$72,000–$90,000	$20,000–$38,000	$92,000–$128,000
150ft+	$84,000–$108,000	$25,000–$45,000	$109,000–$153,000

What a Bosun Does: Daily and Seasonal Responsibilities

Crew management: scheduling deckhand duties, conducting daily briefings, managing performance
Maintenance planning: creating and executing the deck maintenance schedule; managing varnish and antifoul cycles
Inventory control: ordering deck stores, tracking consumption, managing tender fuel and oil
Rigging inspection: regular checks of standing and running rigging on sailing yachts; wire and rope condition assessment
Tender management: maintaining all tenders and water toys; scheduling servicing; training deckhands on operation
Safety equipment: managing liferaft and EPIRB service records, flare inventories, and safety drills
Guest-facing duties: leading beach setups, managing water sports sessions, supervising docking with guests

💡 The bosun as a force multiplier

A skilled bosun on a 5-deckhand yacht effectively multiplies the deck department's output. Owners who hire an experienced bosun over a cheaper senior deckhand consistently report better maintained vessels, lower deckhand turnover (good bosuns mentor effectively), and fewer captain hours spent on deck management. The salary premium pays for itself within one season.

Bosun vs First Mate: Key Differences

Factor	Bosun	First Mate
Primary focus	Deck operations and maintenance	Navigation, watchkeeping, safety management
License required	AB rating; OOW beneficial not required	OOW 500GT minimum
Command authority	Over deck crew only	Second-in-command; full command in captain's absence
Salary range (100ft)	$64K–$80K	$90K–$120K
Career path	→ First Mate (with OOW licence)	→ Captain (with Master licence)

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