A typical first season as a Quarterdeck skipper or host is around €4,500 over 7 weeks, or about €5,200 over a high season of 8 weeks. This is what you invoice Quarterdeck, before any tax or social charges you owe where you are registered.
The two kinds of first-season work
Most first-season work comes from events and flotillas. For this work you invoice a reduced rate of €500 per week for your first two assignments (this is how the €400 academy subsidy is paid back), then €700 per week for the rest of your first 10 career weeks.
Private charter assignments, when they are offered, start at €1,050 per week and can be higher for larger yachts or villas or more senior roles. The season examples below are based on event and flotilla work, so any private charter weeks pay more and raise these totals.
How many weeks you get depends on several variables, above all how many assignments Quarterdeck receives from its partners, as well as your availability, performance, and flexibility (openness to cabin bookings, whole-yacht charters, and smaller yachts). We aim to give every skipper and host at least five weeks, and for someone available across the full season it is typically eight to ten.
Typical first season (7 weeks): €4,500
Weeks 1 to 2: €500 + €500 = €1,000
Weeks 3 to 7: €700 × 5 = €3,500
Total ≈ €4,500, an average of €643 per week
High season (8 weeks): €5,200
Weeks 1 to 2: €500 + €500 = €1,000
Weeks 3 to 8: €700 × 6 = €4,200
Total ≈ €5,200, an average of €650 per week
Weeks worked as a private charter assignment start at €1,050 rather than €700, so a season that includes private charter weeks earns more than the examples above.
What you earn in later seasons
Your rate rises with your cumulative career weeks, so earnings climb steeply after the first season: roughly €8,200 in a second season, €11,200 in a third, and €17,700 to €18,700 in a full Manager season. For the season by season maths, see How much do you earn in a full season as a skipper or host?
These are examples for you to get an idea of what you might earn (how much you will be able to invoice) during your first season. Check this article to see how the Payment Scheme works.