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Need a power or sailboat delivered?

We are a professional captain and wife team, specializing in deliveries on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts, the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), and the Bahamas. Over 40 years of Intracoastal Waterway experience and a lifetime spent at sea ... Call Merritt Walter at (757) 537 3763 any time to discuss moving your boat or yacht. If you just want a captain to go along for that extra peace of mind, we can do that also.

We have many years experience in moving every kind of vessel, large and small.

Merritt has a 1600 ton Any Ocean license with Sail Endorsement and Second Mate Unlimited tonnage. He is a retired NOAA officer, and founder of Rover Marine and Rover Marine Lines, Inc. (go to roverschooners.com, tahitirover.com and bonnyblue.com).

Vicky has a 100 ton license with sail endorsement, and is a certified marine electronics technician and computer whiz kid...makes for a great team to move your boat.

We both have college degrees, held previous responsible positions before retirement, and are non smokers. When not on a delivery, find us aboard our yacht, the Bonny IV Rover, cruising the East Coast, Bahamas, or Gulf Coast.

After dozens of trips and many deliveries, we think the intracoastal waterway (ICW) is great fun. Our routine is to be underway at first light, run a full day and anchor up at one of our favorite spots just before dusk or tie up at a marina if an anchorage is not convenient. Your yacht will get the best of tender loving care.  Come along to see for yourself and learn the waterway. We are happy to take along the new cruisers to teach and instruct and instill confidence in their boat handling and navigation.

Our rates are $350.00 per day for Captain and crew. Rates are the same for all sizes of vessels and length of voyage. We do not charge for Captain and crew when forced to layover due to weather, however, there may be dockage costs. Layover days due to breakdowns are $150.00 per day. We will make any mechanical repairs within our abilities. We do not charge an additional hourly rate for repairs, just the cost of parts. The following are expenses charged to the owner: 1- Transportation for the captain and crew to and from the pick up and drop off locations 2-Dockage and towing if needed 3- In transit parts and repairs 4- Fuel and oil.

Reservations are made by telephone only.  We do not take deliveries thru a delivery yacht broker.  We work directly for you.  Delivery confirmation is made after a 50% deposit has been received.  Once we receive your yacht delivery request, an estimate is made as to how many days the delivery will take based on the vessel type and the distance to be traveled.  Most sailboats and trawlers travel from 80 to 100 miles per day. The 50% fee is based on that number of days.  Payment can be either check or cash.  Sorry, we do not accept credit cards.  You can reach Captain Merritt at 757-537-3763.

The final payment will include remaining charges incurred during the vessel delivery and is due upon arrival at the final destination.

To estimate your delivery cost, divide the distance to your destination by the estimated daily mileage, times $350.00 per day.  Add in the cost of fuel and dockage (we prefer to anchor out but need to stay at a marina every third or forth night) and transportation to the pick up and from the drop off destination.  That’s it.  There are no hidden surprise delivery fees.

Your boat must be insured. WE DO NOT INSURE YOUR BOAT NOR DO WE HAVE SECONDARY INSURANCE TO COVER YOUR BOAT WHILE IN TRANSIT. Most boat insurance policies will remain in effect during the delivery if the owner is not on board, provided a licensed captain is operating the vessel. You should check this out.

Choosing a captain is well beyond the scope of this web site. How do you select a delivery captain?  There are hundreds of “Captains” looking for trips.  Most are in a hurry to get your boat delivered, catch the next flight back to pick up the next delivery job.  Full throttle, damn the “NO WAKE ZONES”.  The owner will receive the fines long after the delivery captain is on his next trip.

Ask yourself: Are they drinkers, smokers, otherwise unemployed, educated, mature operators, have boating related citations, have a DUI conviction, made claims for injuries, and of course how experienced are they?  What does a “Captains” license really mean?

A word about United States Coast Guard Licenses (USCG).  Google on USCG license.  It's not hard to find sites with “Get your Captain License in just 3 weekends.  No Coast Guard Exam!”  All USCG licenses are not created equal.  A Masters license of unlimited tonnage any oceans takes more years of formal education and sea experience then it does to be a doctor or lawyer, a far cry from three weekends.  So check out your prospective delivery captain's license and experience.

With us, you have the security of knowing that your yacht is not only in safe experienced hands but cared for by fellow boat owners as if it were our own yacht.

See you on the waterway.  Respectfully, Merritt and Vicky

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