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How much does Captain Lee from Below Deck make a year?

But the mega bucks go to the top dogs, Captain Lee and Captain Sandy, who on a 185-foot superyacht make between $150-$210,000 a year.



While official 2026 figures are not public, entertainment industry estimates suggest that Captain Lee Rosbach can earn upwards of $200,000 to $300,000 per year through a combination of his professional yachting salary, television appearance fees, and personal ventures. A captain of his experience (over 30 years) commanding a 160-foot+ mega-yacht typically earns a base salary between $150,000 and $210,000 annually in the private sector. On top of this, as a "Bravo" star, he receives significant per-episode fees for Below Deck, which are rumored to be between $15,000 and $30,000 per episode. Furthermore, Captain Lee generates income through his memoir, Running Against the Tide, speaking engagements, and brand partnerships. It is important to note that yacht captains also receive a portion of the crew tips, which can add several thousand dollars per charter. Even as he steps back from full-time television roles in 2026, his brand as "The Stud of the Sea" remains a lucrative asset through his podcast and media appearances.

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If you're a new yachtie, you can expect to make around $2,500 per month. Over time with more experience and more qualifications, your salary could rise in the range of $3,500 and $4,000 a month.

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The cost of a 3-day charter on Below Deck yachts ranges from $50,000 to $100,000 (€46,000 to €92,000) during the off-season and from $75,000 to $150,000 (€69,000 to €138,000) during the peak season, with some yachts costing even more.

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Yacht charter seasons explained Winter/summer seasons each last around six months and refer to both location and time of the year; summer yacht charter season spans from around April/May through October, while the winter season starts in November and runs through April.

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Production crew don't sleep on the yacht With limited space on the yacht, it's already hard enough for the yachties to pretend the cameras aren't there. So when it comes time for the TV crew to clock-off for the day, they sleep on a separate boat or head to shore to stay in a hotel.

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The average age of customer that trains with Flying Fish who intends to start a career on a yacht is between 22 and 35 years old. However, if you're under this age do not be put off!

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