Captain Paul Bates
5.0
(8 reviews)
About
Captain Paul Bates is a 100-ton licensed captain, delivery and training specialist, and founder of the No Regrets Lifestyle. Raised in Las Vegas, he grew up boating in California and started out under sail, owning two sailboats before moving to power.
His path to full-time life on the water turned during COVID. After a corporate career as a trade-show project manager, Paul bet on a long-held dream: America's Great Loop. He bought a trawler, learned the hard way (from single screw to twin screws mid-journey) and completed the Loop. He has since crossed his wake seven times, working on his eighth.
Paul earned his reputation at Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys, with up to 20 dockings a night in conditions as trying as 55-knot winds and ripping current. Those thousands of dockings spanned 5 different boat models with various propulsion configurations: single-screw, twin-screw, and pod-drive vessels. Captain Paul has handled hundreds of boats in his life, logged roughly 80,000 nautical miles, and now serves as training captain for Greenline Yachts' hybrid-electric line.
Paul's Services (boats ~35–80 ft)
On-board owner training: confidence-building instruction, including insurance sign-offs backed by his 100-ton license. Direct and no-nonsense; he'll make you proficient.
Yacht deliveries: coastal runs to major passages, such as a 70-foot Hatteras from Washington to Alaska.
Yacht consulting: project management, stabilization, control systems, and refit guidance.
Paul joined Current Yachts on the Full Displacement Podcast to break down propulsion, hull choices, and confident boat handling. Watch or listen to the episode.
Follow Paul on YouTube @NoRegretsLifestyle
Location
Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
Member Feedback (8)
James Andersen
Way Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
I cannot say enough about Paul and the outstanding boat delivery and training service he provides. And I am honored to be one of his very first clients. He originally helped me find my Grand Banks Trawler, Katy Leigh and he assisted me with finding the surveyor and he worked with me all throughout the buying process. But that was just the beginning. He also was my delivery captain helping me deliver my boat from Panama City, FL to Narragansett Bay, RI. But he was no ordinary boat delivery captain. I had a number of mechanical issues throughout my voyage, and unlike almost all delivery captains, he actually spent time in my engine room fixing a variety of issues that came up along the way. In addition to that he trained me on how to operate the boat. I was able to take the boat on and off the dock and operate the boat within a matter of days. He clearly goes well above and beyond the call of duty and I highly recommend him to anyone.
George Dueber
Captain Paul Bates
I have known Capt. Paul for over 3 years now. He first assisted me with buying a Hatteras 65 LRC in the Bahamas. He stayed with my boat through a major refit in Florida then delivered it via Panama Canal to Washington state. Paul rejoined us on the Hatteras for a fun trip to Alaska this summer. I can’t say enough about Paul’s professionalism. Paul is always on time and stays until the job is done right. You will not find a more honest, capable, and reliable captain than Paul Bates.
Anonymous
Get ready to learn from experience!
If you are looking to go deep into seamanship and navigation, then Cap't Paul is your Captain! I had the opportunity to work with Cap't Paul for 10 days in delivering my boat from Fl to MD. His depth of boat handling, navigation, and tips/tricks were just what I had hoped to gain during our transit. He is personable and hard working. His vast experience across small and large vessels, coastal waterways to ocean, short and long voyages, covers the full spectrum of boating. If you are willing to learn, and ready to get behind the helm, check engine room, and manage your boat, Captain Paul is willing to show you the way. Thank you Captain for the experience and the training.
Akayla J
Gold Standard for Instruction, Deliveries, and Advice
If you are looking for a captain who genuinely knows boats and actually cares about making you a more capable owner, you should hire Paul Bates. You really will not find a better partner on the water. Paul brings an impressive level of practical experience to the table. With tens of thousands of miles logged, multiple Great Loop completions, and thousands of dockings in very tough conditions, his seamanship is excellent. What really sets Paul apart, though, is his approach. He is direct, involved, and completely practical. Whether he is taking you into the engine room to walk you through fuel filters and electrical systems, guiding you through a long delivery, or giving you honest advice on buying the right vessel, Paul provides a lot of value. He is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and solve a mechanical issue on the spot so the trip can keep moving. His straightforward teaching style gives you true confidence at the helm. Beyond his impressive credentials and ability to handle insurance approvals, Paul is reliable, honest, and just a great guy to have aboard. Whether you need owner training, a safe boat delivery, or expert yacht consulting, Paul is the best choice. He is worth every penny and I recommend him highly!
Todd Shaver
CPT Paul is the Man
As a life long boater from the ski boat/pontoon world, I knew I didn’t have the knowledge that I needed to make a decision on a Loop Capable boat. I started watching YouTube videos and came across CPT Paul. At the end of his videos he always said to call him if you wanted his help so I did. I very surprised when he answered on the first ring. That was in August of 2024. He helped guide me through all the boats that I was looking at. He gave insights on different things to look for, either to avoid or what was desirable in a loop boat. When I purchased my 44 DeFever, which he was instrumental in finding, he went out with us for a week of hands on training. He took me down in the engine room and went over everything from servicing the engines/generator, using the oil change pump, changing out the fuel filters, running the generator, educating me about the electronics and radios and launching/recovering the dingy. He trouble shot an electrical issue and determined that my inverter was bad. These are things I didn’t think about until he just took it upon his self to go over. On our way back to the marina I received a call saying that my mother was in a bad way an I needed to come home. Paul immediately threw us off the boat, so that I was able to make it home in time to say goodbye to mom. When we return to the boat sometime later, it was clean and tidy. Since I’ve gotten to know him, I not only have a captain that I can trust can call on whenever I need him, I have a friend. He always answers and shares his knowledge.
Anonymous
Highly Recommend Capt. Paul Bates
I’ve known Captain Paul Bates for approximately 5 years and have come to rely on his expertise more than almost anyone else in the marine world. As an experienced boat captain with deep practical knowledge of vessels of all sizes, he consistently demonstrates outstanding understanding of mechanical systems, ongoing upkeep and maintenance, and realistic market values. Whenever I’ve been evaluating boats, I’ve turned to Paul for straightforward, well-informed advice on condition, suitability, potential issues, and what would truly work best for my needs. His recommendations have always been thoughtful, honest, and grounded in real-world experience rather than sales talk. That combination of captain-level operational insight and solid market awareness has been invaluable. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, experienced and reliable marine professional who can help you navigate boat selection, ownership considerations, or related decisions with confidence, I strongly recommend Captain Paul Bates.
Mike English
My Professional Review of Captain Paul Bates
I hired Captain Paul Bates to help deliver and train me aboard my newly purchased Grand Banks 42 Classic, relocating the vessel more than 1,250 nautical miles from Catskill Creek, New York, to my home port in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Our route included the Erie Canal, Lake Erie, the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers, Lake Huron, the Straits of Mackinac, and Lake Michigan. Paul exceeded my expectations in every respect. Throughout the voyage, he demonstrated exceptional seamanship, professionalism, sound judgment, and an unwavering commitment to safety. Despite the complexity of the trip and the wide range of conditions encountered, the journey was completed safely and without incident. What impressed me most was his commitment to owner training. Rather than simply delivering the boat, Paul transformed the entire voyage into a hands-on learning experience. He patiently taught me how to operate, maneuver, dock, and manage my Grand Banks with confidence. He explained not only what to do but why, adapting his instruction to my experience level and answering every question thoroughly. By the end of the trip, I felt significantly more capable and comfortable as an owner-operator. Paul's extensive real-world experience was evident every day. Whether navigating locks, handling currents, planning open-water passages, docking in challenging conditions, or troubleshooting mechanical and systems issues, he remained calm, methodical, and solution-oriented. His practical knowledge and willingness to solve problems firsthand added tremendous value to the experience. Just as importantly, Paul is honest, hardworking, straightforward, and enjoyable to spend time with on an extended voyage. I highly recommend Captain Paul Bates for yacht deliveries, owner training, insurance sign-offs, or boating instruction. Hiring Paul was one of the best decisions I made during the purchase of my Grand Banks, and I would gladly work with him again. Mike English Grand Banks 42 Classic Owner Sheboygan, Wisconsin
roger roy
My Professional Review of Capt. Bates
Professional Review of Captain Paul Bates Captain Paul Bates is an exceptionally professional, reliable, and skilled 100-ton licensed captain whose expertise and character make him an outstanding choice for boat training, yacht deliveries, and consulting. What stands out most is his honesty and straightforward communication style. He is easy to talk to, explains concepts clearly, and ensures that owners fully understand the material without unnecessary complexity. His direct, no-nonsense approach builds confidence quickly while remaining approachable and supportive. Equally impressive is his strong follow-through and hands-on capability. Captain Bates is not afraid to get his hands dirty—he will step in and address mechanical or technical issues himself so the vessel can continue safely toward its destination, rather than defaulting to calling a mechanic for every problem. This practical, solution-oriented mindset makes him the kind of captain you want aboard when relocating a boat from one location to another. Whether delivering a vessel, conducting on-board training (including insurance sign-offs), or providing consulting on systems and refits, he consistently delivers on his commitments with thoroughness and professionalism. With extensive experience—including thousands of challenging dockings at Little Palm Island, roughly 80,000 nautical miles logged, completion of America’s Great Loop multiple times, and current work as a training captain for Greenline Yachts—Captain Bates brings proven competence across single-screw, twin-screw, and pod-drive vessels in the 35–80 ft range. I highly recommend Captain Paul Bates to any boat owner seeking knowledgeable, dependable, and results-oriented instruction or support. His combination of technical skill, clear communication, reliable follow-through, and willingness to solve problems on the spot sets a high standard in the industry.
Contact Information
Contact: Paul Bates