The Boat Butler - Boat caretaking service

For many, part of the satisfaction of boat ownership is running a compact second home.

Once aboard, everything needs to have its place, and to be in that place. There is no room for dirt on surfaces, galley equipment, upholstery, or in the bilge.

However, when one’s abode is remote from the boatyard, keeping up the standards one would attain to becomes more difficult. And part of the time spent aboard becomes filled with chores.

The Boat Butler offers a service, which provides the elbow-grease and attention to detail and means that you are ready for the “off” immediately you step aboard. And furthermore, when your all-too-short time aboard is expired, feel free to walk away, knowing that your boat will be prepared for your next trip.

I can take the pride in your vessel that you would yourself if you could spare the time!

The Boat Butler aims to encompass a care and preparation service for a single all-in payment, with no hidden extras except consumables, which you are at liberty to provide or not, as you wish.

The standard service includes the following:

Minimum attendance 1 full-day per calendar month to clean, check, ventilate
All galley-equipment cleaned and re-stowed
All upholstery shampooed
All surfaces cleaned and sterilised - floors, bulkheads, deck heads
Bilge washed through and de-greased
Engine serviced, cleaned and functional checked
Topsides washed and cleaned
Hull (above-waterline) cleaned and polished

This routine carried out at least once per season to fit in with your sailing programme.

In addition to the above, the standard Boat Butler service includes a grocery delivery service, once again to fit in with your sailing programme.

You can either communicate a full list of your requirements, or tell me the number in your party, plus the number of nights on board, and I will supply an inventory, plus a suggested menu for each day.

I will deliver your groceries aboard on the day of your arrival, and require the bill to be remunerated at cost. Naturally, I will include a wine selection either of my own choice, or at your recommendation.

The Boat Butler offers this service on an annual contract basis for an inclusive price of £2250. Payment terms - monthly by standing order.

This is based on an anticipated sailing programme of not more than 12 visits per sailing season. Naturally, there would need to be a face-to-face meeting to assess boat condition and individual owner’s requirements. A 3-month probationary period is acceptable, followed by a contract for not less than a calendar year.

Although the Boat Butler service is intended for long-term relationships of not less than a year, individual valeting exercises may be considered upon request.

My own credentials for performing this service are as follows:

Joined Royal Navy as Engineer Officer cadet in Sep’71 and served for 11yrs, including aboard HMS Scarborough, Yarmouth, Ark Royal and London
British Gas as Assistant Site Engineer at Bishop Auckland Test Site for 6yrs
Plant Engineer at BASF Middlesbrough for 12yrs
Engineering Manager at BNFL Sellafield for a short, unhappy spell, followed by Maintenance Manager for Fabricom Contracting, based in the North East
Desire to be my own man for the latter years of my working life.

I am fastidious about cleanliness and orderliness possibly a result of my time in the Navy. I have always had respect for the person to whom the cleaning tasks fall, and take personal pride in delivering a service to a standard that I would want and require.

Where: Anticipate in the environs of Hartlepool, Royal Quays, Blyth, Amble and Whitby.

When: Anticipate not until the 2009 sailing season when my personal circumstances allow for relinquishing full-time work.
But earlier depending on interest and demand.

Contact: Initially via this web-site. email: tony@theboatbutler.co.uk

Boat caretaking service