Deckhand Distinction: How Specialist Skills Can Elevate Your Yachting Career

Written by Ellie.

As the Junior Exterior Recruitment Consultant here at Bespoke Crew, my favourite roles to work on are the more challenging, skills-based deck positions. I genuinely love speaking with candidates and hearing how they’ve developed and applied these vital skills to forge a path into the yachting world. Whether you’re green and thinking about your first step into yachting, or you’re already experienced and curious about how additional skills could elevate your career, read on!

Watersports

One of the most in-demand additional skills on deck is watersports knowledge and instruction. Whether it’s wakeboarding, e-foiling, jet skiing, towing toys, dinghy sailing, or diving, owners and charter guests alike expect the crew to confidently assist or even lead the fun. Having watersports experience not only shows you’re confident and guest-focused, but also that you’re safety-conscious, hands-on, and versatile. Many yachts seek out deckhands who can act as watersports instructors, especially during busy charter

Seasons Qualifications such as PWC Instructor, RYA Dinghy Sailor, PADI Divemaster, or IKO Kitesurfing experience can really make your CV pop. These skills also tend to open doors to some super exciting programmes!

We asked Ronan, a Watersports Deckhand on a 50m Private MY what a typical day looks like…

“When guests are on and I know I’ve got a big day on the water ahead, I get up early, make sure I’ve had a big breakfast and a few coffees, and head down to get the toys ready. A large part of my job is maintaining all the equipment and ensuring everything is in safe working order and ready to be used. I’ll then set up for the day, including jet skis, sailing dinghies, inflatables, towables, and windsurfing gear. When the guests are ready, I’m on hand to assist and instruct, ensuring they have a safe and unforgettable day on the water. Once the fun is over, the packdown begins! I make sure everything is cleaned, maintained, and ready to go for the next Day.”

What skill set you apart?

“Like many deckhands, I love being involved in watersports—it’s an amazing part of the job. What set me apart was that I’d grown up on the water sailing Lasers, Optimists, and Hobie Cats! A childhood hobby, and something I’d done competitively during weekends and holidays, actually helped me land my current role.”

Trade Skills

Yachts are floating, multi-million-dollar assets that require constant upkeep, and this is where trade skills can truly set a Deckhand apart. Whether your background is in carpentry, painting, boatbuilding, plumbing, or electrics, these skills are invaluable Onboard. Many yachts, especially those with high standards for exterior and interior presentation, look for deck crew who can confidently take on more complex tasks. Having hands-on experience with tools and materials means you’re not just helping out, you’re saving the vessel time, money, and the need to bring in contractors.

These roles are highly sought after and greatly appreciated onboard. They often lead to more responsibility early on and can fast-track you to roles like Lead Deckhand or even Bosun. These skills are particularly important during shipyard and refit periods when you’ll often be in charge of your own projects and tasks. Your knowledge is incredibly valuable and can be shared with the team to elevate everyone’s maintenance skills. Even if your trade background isn’t yachting-specific, don’t underestimate how valuable it is. Be sure to highlight it in your CV and during interviews—it shows you’re proactive, capable, and ready to contribute more than just the basics.

Sailing

A skill close to my heart and something I can talk about all day, I love crewing for sailboats! Whether you’re joining a motor yacht or a sailing vessel, a background in sailing can be a huge advantage for any Deckhand. It naturally develops the core qualities every great crew member needs: seamanship, teamwork, and a deep respect for the ocean.

Deckhands with sailing experience tend to have a strong understanding of wind, weather, and vessel movement, which often translates into faster learning and more confidence on deck. If you’ve raced, crewed on performance yachts, or done deliveries, you’ll likely already be comfortable with things like winch use, sail handling, knots, splicing and rope work, the absolute 101 of being a Deckhand. If you’re green and coming from a dinghy or yacht club background, don’t underestimate it! Highlight your sailing experience; it shows passion, practical ability, and drive. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some world-class sailing vessels, with high-performance racing programmes and world cruising itineraries, which has almost been enough to send me back to sea myself!

Chase Boat

As yachts continue to grow in size and complexity, so do their tenders—and that’s where chase boat experience comes in. If you’ve captained or crewed on chase boats, you’re offering a skill set that’s increasingly in demand, particularly on busy charter programmes and explorer yachts with large tender operations. Being a Chase Boat Captain requires confidence, autonomy, and excellent navigational and boat- handling skills. You’ll often be responsible for transporting guests, crew, provisions, or gear independently from the mothership. That means safety, communication, and decision-making are critical and captains definitely notice when a Deckhand can be trusted with that level of responsibility.

Experience driving large RIBs, powerboats, or custom tenders (such as Technohulls, Wajers, or Pascoe limousines) is incredibly valuable. Qualifications like a Yachtmaster Offshore or RYA Advanced Powerboat can further back up your experience and are crucial for the role.

If you’ve got the hours behind the helm, shout about it. It shows you’re capable, reliable, and ready to handle more. I spoke to Charlie, Chase Boat Captain on 75m Charter MY to get some insight:

Tell me about your day as a Chase Boat Captain when guests are on:

“I start my day by preparing the chase boat for guests—this includes a wash down, teak scrub, and polish so that she’s shining and beautiful! I then stock up with drinks and snacks in line with the day’s activities. I liaise with our captain and chief officer to establish the itinerary. Guest activities vary hugely! Some days I’m on standby waiting for them to return from a land-based activity; other times I’m taking them out for diving or watersports. When the mothership is on the move, so am I, often going ahead to the next destination. If I’m not staying alongside, I’m responsible for organising my own berth at a nearby marina. It’s imperative that I plan ahead, especially in high season! Maintenance is a big part of my role too—I handle a lot myself and speak with the engineers if something is beyond my remit. I also manage yard bookings and haul-out work, plus expenses in coordination with the mothership captain.”

What makes an excellent Chase Boat Captain?

“The main one? Always be positive, smiling, and happy. We spend a lot of time with guests and owners—it’s important to build an excellent rapport as this really contributes to charter success. Second is organisation and forward thinking. I’m super busy in the height of the season, so I plan ahead, research new areas, book in advance (as much as possible!), communicate with the team, and I’m always ready to go.”

Personal Training

Having a background as a Personal Trainer or fitness instructor can be a fantastic asset onboard, especially for Deckhands. Many owners and charter guests prioritise wellness and appreciate crew who can confidently guide them through training sessions, whether that’s HIIT on the sundeck, yoga on the beach, or circuits in the onboard gym.

From a recruitment perspective, Deckhands with PT experience often get snapped up by yachts looking for active crew who can double as fitness coaches, wellness leads, or even private instructors during trips. It’s an excellent way to add value to a programme. It also reflects positively on your overall work ethic and mindset: it shows you’re disciplined, motivated, and confident working one-on-one with people. Some roles I’ve recruited for include Personal Trainer, Tennis Coach, Golf Coach, and Sports Physiotherapist!

If you hold certifications in personal training or any other sport, make sure they’re clearly listed on your CV. And don’t forget to mention any group classes, specialised training (e.g., boxing, Pilates), or experience working with clients of all ages.

We asked Adriaan, a Personal Trainer/Deckhand onboard a 80m Charter MY what makes personal training on a yacht different from land—and what he love most about it?

“I work on a busy private and charter programme. When I have guests who’ve requested training sessions, I read their preference sheets to understand what style of training they’re looking for. Once onboard, I usually meet with them to discuss their goals. It really varies, so it’s important to be on top of my game. I’ll then create personalised fitness plans, reviewing them with each guest after sessions and tweaking as needed. On a typical day, I’m up early fuelling myself, then head to the gym to make sure everything is clean and set up. If we’re training elsewhere, I set up the equipment in advance. I often work back-to-back training sessions, so I stay fuelled and hydrated throughout the day. When I’m not training, I’m out on deck—I get the best of both worlds!”

“Working onboard has taken my gym-based skills to the next level. I’ve learned to be super adaptable and have been exposed to so many different training styles—it’s broadened my knowledge more than I ever expected. I love making bespoke connections with my clients and spending one-on-one time with guests. That’s my time to shine and contribute to their experience. It’s so rewarding when I get great feedback.”

What advice would you give someone looking to use their qualifications onboard?

“Be prepared and plan ahead. Be open to learning new techniques
and take the opportunity to learn from your clients. I’ve recently taken
a real interest in Pilates as it’s becoming more popular—and it’s
something I’d never explored before!”

Interested in putting your skills to use on board? We’re always on the lookout for talented and driven Deckhands with specialist experience – from watersports and sailing to trade skills and personal training.

To hear about our current Deckhand opportunities and apply, send your CV and relevant documentation to Ellie@bespokecrew.com.

We’d love to help you take the next step in your yachting career