What is a “shade tree” captain?
A term given to most part-time captains who offer their limited experience as a delivery captain in order to take a paid boat ride for a little adventure. Shade tree captains will offer little or no commitment to you as a boat owner. They are rarely available if weather or circumstances postpone a departure. They seldom offer a contract, have the necessary charts or redundant equipment for the voyage, nor do they fully understand the changing tides and currents in all the traveled areas. Their mechanical abilities are usually limited to the amount of duct tape they carry and you can almost guarantee, they carry no insurance of their own. They are however, sometimes less expensive but, in this business…you get what you pay for. Please, hire a reputable captain’s service to accomplish your delivery objectives.
