Sunshine Cruising Yachts

Boutique Deliveries & Training

Based on our passion for teaching and helping people achieve their dreams, we are announcing a new facet of Sunshine Cruising Yachts. Our delivery and training service offers a personalized focus, in keeping the “boutique” vibe of our company. Because we offer quality, we are not a discount delivery service. Each of our captains possess a minimum of 100 Ton Coast Guard Licenses and a minimum of 25 years of experience. Your boat isn’t just an asset; she represents a dream and she’s special to you—trust her to someone who cares and has the proper level of experience to treat her like a queen. SCROLL DOWN FOR PRICES

Melanie Sunshine Neale, daughter of renowned maritime writer Tom Neale, has been a licensed 100 Ton Master USCG Captain with Sailing and Towing Endorsements since 1998.She grew up living aboard her family’s 47’ GulfStar Sailmaster, cruising up and down the East Coast and through the Bahamas for nearly twenty years. Melanie captained and crewed on various boats while working her way through college, then bought and lived aboard her first sailboat, Short Story, a 1969 Columbia 28, while attending graduate school in North Miami. She’s owned many boats since then. She is also an award-winning author (her books include memoirs Boat Girl and Boat Kid), former columnist for Cruising World (her Short Story column ran in the magazine from 2006 to 2009) and various other magazines, a freelance editor, and has worked over the years as everything from boat detailer to college professor to educational administrator. Her efficiency and knowledge makes her a great candidate for deliveries. Most recently she founded Sunshine Cruising Yachts.

Captain Daniel Sampiero, in his own words: Born and raised in Coconut Grove Florida, I began sailing at the age of six, like everyone, in an Optimist. I quickly moved into racing one designs, keel boats, eventually working as a sailmaker and with a rigging shop as I continued to skipper and crew aboard a great many vessel from 420s up to a 72′ Mini Maxi.  At the same time I developed a great passion for fishing, particularly with a fly rod. Fly fishing in canals, I grew to chasing Bonefish, Permit Snook and Tarpon on the flats. It didn’t take long for me to get the bug to go offshore, pursuing pelagics with both conventional and fly gear.  I love putting friends and clients on fish, and spend a good portion of my leisure time poling the flats on my skiff. Fishing and diving (S.D.I. Divemaster) taught me very quickly to appreciate the ease of which a power vessel gets you where you want to go. I’ve since had the pleasure to master several motor yachts, including the  1964 Chris Craft Constellation (57 ft. L.O.A.) Karon Ella, which was quite the treat.  Both offshore and via ICW, so much of what Florida has to offer along a coast chock full of history and welcoming communities. The Keys will forever be my go-to weekend getaway, with incredible sites for nearly all water activities. Allow me to be your guide!  Florida’s West Coast- Often called the forgotten coast (once you’re north of the greater Tampa area), step through the time machine and see pristine beaches, enjoy world class wreck/reef fishing and cruise all the way to Belize. The Bahamas are so close that I once sailed my Laser there. I’ve never met someone who doesn’t love a trip across the stream.  The gin-clear water, fantastic diving, fishing, beaches and ambiance make this a must in every Yacht owner’s log book. USVI was my lockdown adventure. I was Captain of a Voyage 580 catamaran, and ran term (5-7 day) charters during the pandemic. It was a beautiful venue for sailing, diving and snorkeling.  Since 2022 I’ve been working aboard a 120 foot classic Feadship Motor Yacht, formerly as the mate, and since March of 2023 as Engineer, primarily private, with some light charter. USCG Master 500GRT

Captain Austin Harrelle

Offerings include:

Boat deliveries

Owner training

Training focused on individual needs, such as cruising as a couple or cruising with children

Training specifically for women and minorities

All-female captain and crew available if requested—we want you to feel comfortable and empowered

We are up-front with our prices:

  • Captain’s rates are $600/day
  • Qualified crew rates are $250/day. Vessels above 40’ require 2 qualified crew members and vessels over 50’ require 3
  • Lay days due to weather, issues with the vessel, or owner-imposed reasons such as travel will be billed at 50%
  • Specified training is $200/student per day in addition to captain’s fees. Couples will be discounted to $300 per couple. Owners who wish to crew aboard their own vessels while on delivery will automatically be considered students and will pay $200 a day.
  • For example, training for a couple for one day would be $600 for the captain, $250 for crew on any boat over 40’, and $300 for the couple, totaling $1,400
  • Travel to and from delivery locations, $50 per diem/per crew for provisions ($75 if provision is done internationally), and all fuel, dockage, and boat repairs are at the owner’s expense.

Decisions based on weather conditions and safety conditions will always be at the discretion of the captain.

Please email us with the specifics of your vessel and your trip and any training requests, and we will get back to you with an estimate and contract. 50% of estimate is due upon signing of contract, 25% at halfway point, and 25% at final destination.

A sample itinerary for a 42’ boat from Fort Lauderdale to St. Augustine with two people aboard who want training on cruising as a couple:

4 days underway (with good weather for going offshore) plus 1 lay day for provisioning and checking out systems) Days 1&2, Lauderdale to Stuart, overnight in Stuart, Days 3&4 Stuart to St. Augustine

  • Captain: $2400
  • Crew: $2000
  • Lay Day: $550
  • Training: $1200
  • Per-diem provisions: $750 (this does not include owner’s provisions)

Total for intensive 4-day training delivery: $6,900

Travel and operating expenses/fuel to be covered by owner and are not included above. Captains will do their best to find the least expensive travel options.

Buyers and sellers of vessels purchased or sold through SCY will receive a 5% discount on the total and use of SCY’s West Marine Pro discount for equipping the vessel.

Each trip will be different and will be quoted differently, as there are many nuances to planning. Our goal is to get your boat there safely and to help give you the confidence you need to do the next trip on your own.