Thinking about starting a career in yachting and wondering if you’re too old to work on a yacht? This blog post is for you.  Wanting step by step guide to getting started in the superyacht industry check out The Yachting Kickstarter Guide.

To give you an overview the industry is made up of people from all different walks of life, and age groups. And there are over 10,000 superyachts floating around in the world. Each boat is different, each program is different. This “Mold” you may have in your head of the perfect superyacht crew is NOT subject to every single boat out there. 

Due to the nature of the industry, you may feel discriminated against due to your age, however, it doesn’t mean you won’t find a position you are looking for. Typically speaking yes yacht crew are younger as they have a desire for travel, earning money, no commitments at home, and an eagerness to learn the ropes. They are usually energetic and can be trained from the beginning of their yachting journey the way boats like to run things which vary in terms of the systems they have in Place. I have been on boats where the youngest crew member has been 18 and then other boats when the youngest has been 24.  However this doesn’t mean you have to be under 30 to start in yachting. 

My 4 tips to share are:

• Show you have the  maturity and determination to do the job for the long-term
  Employees will want to see you are driven to make this a career choice not a ‘life crisis’ might try yachting for a season situation. 
• Make it clear that you have the life and work experience the yachitng industry is looking for, as well as the work ethic- use your CV to portray this information 
• Your amazing personality and maturity backed by your skills are what is going to get you hired so try and keep this in mind for your CV and all interview + networking oporutnites 
• Try targeting smaller vessels with permanent long term crew onboard as young aspiring yachties tend not to want to work on these boasts so therefore less competition. 

Some boats want crew who are older …with more life experience! To give you insight I started when I had just turned 26. I found I was able to progress faster and the relationships with my chief stews were always great as you are a little older and dare i say it ‘wiser’ you don’t get caught up in the drama of the boat and you know how to communicate well and just get the job done with less hand-holding.

The reality, unfortunately, is that this is largely an image focused and ageist industry and you will likely be looked over for a younger crew member. So if you’re going to go for it, you need to accept this and maintain a positive attitude!

If you are debating wether you are too old to start yachting let me run you through some points to consider:

• Will you have any issues reporting to younger officers and chief stews?
• Are you physically fit and able to meet the demands of the job such as long working hours and lifting things, + a lot of stair climbing if you’re a stew 
• Are you willing to start from the bottom? Basically, every crew member who is green will need to start in a junior role unless you have valid land-based experience or skills
• Are you determined enough to give it a shot! It’s never an easy pathway trying to get a job onboard. Remember you don’t have to fit this mold of younger crew there most certainly are boats out there with 30+ aged crew onboard

So In short, you’re not too old for yachting, but you should still prepare yourself for a potentially more challenging job hunt. Networking is even more important for you as people will need to meet you and know you in order to know you are up for the job.