Hire a professional skipper in Spain: day trips, deliveries and training
Quick answer
A professional skipper is a licensed mariner who runs your boat when you can’t or don’t want to: day trips, deliveries between ports, handovers after a purchase, hands-on training or crewed charter. They are hired per day or per passage, and the owner usually covers fuel, berthing and food during a delivery.
When to hire a skipper
- A day out with family or friends without worrying about handling.
- Delivery to another port or boatyard (Denia–Ibiza, Valencia–Mallorca, change of base).
- Handover of a boat you have just bought or sold.
- Hands-on training on your own boat: berthing, anchoring, night sailing.
- Crewed charter if you rent out your boat.
- When your leisure licence doesn’t cover the boat’s length or the area.
What to check before hiring
- Professional licence (a leisure licence is not enough to be paid to skipper in Spain).
- Experience on similar boats and waters.
- Professional liability insurance.
- What the price includes: fees only, or fuel, berthing and meals too.
- References and reviews from other owners.
How deliveries are priced
Usually per sailing day plus expenses. Valencia–Ibiza is one long day in good weather; Barcelona–Mallorca may mean an overnight passage. The skipper picks the weather window and waiting days for bad weather are normally agreed in advance.
Skipper and maintenance
A good skipper spots problems before they become breakdowns: engine noises, rig condition, electronics. Before a long delivery, book an engine service and check your safety equipment.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a skipper cost per day in Spain?
It depends on boat length, type of service and area. Day trips have a daily rate; deliveries are quoted per sailing day plus expenses (fuel, berthing, meals and sometimes the skipper’s return travel). Ask for an itemised quote.
What licence does a professional skipper need in Spain?
A valid professional qualification suited to the boat’s length and area, for example PPER or Patrón Portuario for small boats close to shore, and higher tickets for larger boats and longer passages. Foreign commercial qualifications may need recognition.
Can a skipper run my boat under my insurance?
Usually yes, but tell your insurer: some policies require the skipper to be named or professionally qualified. The skipper should also carry their own liability cover.
Professional skipper by port
Professional skipper: professionals by area
Related guides
How to choose a trustworthy marine mechanic or boatyard (and avoid nasty surprises)
What to ask, how to compare quotes and which red flags to watch before leaving your boat in a professional’s hands.
How much does it cost to maintain a boat per year? Real breakdown by length
Berth, insurance, haul-out, engine, cleaning, surprises: what owning a boat in the Mediterranean really costs and where you can save without neglecting it.
Boat maintenance calendar: what to do each season
A simple annual plan to keep your boat ready: what to check before, during and after the season.
Other maintenance services
Engine service
Basic boat engine maintenance means changing oil and filters every 100–200 hours or once a year, replacing the raw-water pump impeller every 1–2 years, checking anodes, belts and coolant, and inspecting the fuel system. Doing it before the season prevents most breakdowns at sea.
View serviceBoat cleaning
Professional boat cleaning covers washing deck and hull with marine products, gentle teak cleaning without a pressure washer, rinsing stainless steel and cleaning interiors. The bottom can be cleaned in the water by a diver between haul-outs to keep performance up.
View serviceBoat inspection (ITB)
The ITB (Inspección Técnica de Buques) is Spain’s mandatory technical inspection for recreational boats, often called the "boat MOT". It is carried out by authorised inspection bodies and checks hull, engine, electrics, safety equipment and paperwork. Frequency depends on boat type, length and age, so check current regulations for your boat.
View service