Captain's Pay Calculator — Structure Crew Payouts Fairly

Trip & Crew Details

Trip Revenue ($)

Captain Pay Structure

Captain Rate (% or $)

Mate Pay Structure

Mate Rate (%, $, or $/hr)

Trip Duration (hours)

Payout Breakdown

Captain Pay

—

Mate Pay —

Total Crew Cost —

Owner Net (before expenses) —

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How It Works

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Enter Trip Revenue

Input the total revenue for the trip. This is the charter price the customer paid, before any expenses.

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Set Crew Pay Structures

Choose percentage-based or flat rate for the captain, and percentage, flat, or hourly for the mate. Enter the applicable rates.

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See the Split

View what each crew member earns, total crew cost, and what remains for the boat owner after crew payouts.

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Reservety helps charter businesses manage crew assignments, track payouts per trip, and automate scheduling so you never double-book your captain.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do charter captains get paid?

Charter captains typically earn 20-30% of trip revenue on percentage-based pay, or $200-$500 per trip on flat rate. Owner-operators keep the full revenue minus expenses. For hired captains, 25% of revenue is the most common arrangement. Captains also typically keep their tips, which adds 15-20% more.

How should I pay a first mate?

First mates typically earn 10-15% of trip revenue, a flat rate of $100-$200 per trip, or $15-$25 per hour. Hourly is simplest and fairest for varying trip lengths. Mates also receive tips, usually split 60/40 (captain/mate) or 70/30 from the total crew tip. Always clarify tip splitting upfront.

Should I use percentage or flat rate pay?

Percentage-based pay motivates captains because they earn more on higher-revenue trips. It also reduces your fixed costs during slow periods. Flat rates give captains predictability and are simpler to administer. Many owners use a hybrid: a base flat rate plus a percentage bonus on trips above a certain revenue threshold.