how much does it cost to charter a sailing yacht

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How much does it cost to charter a yacht?

There are many things to consider and first time charterers can be left confused, that's why we've created a comprehensive guide to yacht charter prices (with a checklist).

The good news: It’s easy to grasp the basics of yacht charter pricing. And with one of our experts in your corner, we can help you more accurately estimate the cost of your next once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

The cost of a yacht charter is dependent on a number of factors, including the type of yacht, the charter destination, local taxes, and the base cost. (If the yacht has a celebrity owner, well that too, can add to the cost.)

Therefore, yacht charters have a wide range of base prices. That’s why charters can cost from $10,000 per week on smaller sailing yachts and catamarans, up to $150,000+ per week on the most luxurious motor superyachts.

What else can you expect to pay? This overview – a part of our planning resource, the Charter Advice Guide – offers an in-depth look at charter yacht costs.

Yacht Charter Price Structure: “All-Inclusive” vs “Plus Expenses”

In the world of yachting, two types of crewed yacht charters are available to you – “All-Inclusive” and “Plus Expenses” charter experiences. What do these terms mean exactly? Here’s a quick look:

• All-Inclusive Yacht Charters – Some charters (mainly catamaran and monohull charters in the Virgin Islands) offer all-inclusive rates. That means rates are based on the number of guests, and they include all food and drink, water sports, and fuel costs. Dockage and taxes, though, are usually charged separately.
• Plus Expenses Charters – Rates for larger motor yachts do not include running expenses, which must be paid separately. For these luxury charters, the base price is for the yacht only. Additional expenses, i.e. food, bar, fuel, dockage, port taxes, and other expenses, are charged separately. Most frequently, the running expenses are paid by an Advance Provisioning Allowance, or APA, which is typically 35% of the base price; this is an amount that’s paid prior to the charter.

Our chart below offers a quick overview of what’s included in both of these types of charters.

Average Yacht Charter Cost: Base Prices

What can you expect to pay for a catamaran, a sailing vessel, or motored yacht? Here’s a quick overview of the average cost to rent a yacht (not including extra expenses) for the most common types available:

Factors that Affect Yacht Charter Prices

Since charter yachts are privately owned, prices are set by the owner. This can explain, in part, the wide range of differences in price between boats of similar lengths. Yet, several other factors can significantly impact price, including:

• The Yacht – The year the boat was built, the builder, previous owners, and the boat’s selection of water toys can also increase the cost of a yacht. Boats can also develop a reputation, i.e. the largest or most luxurious, or having a famous builder or previous owner. Reputation can also affect pricing.
• Season – Prices typically increase in the high season – i.e. high summer in the Mediterranean or winter in the Caribbean – and decrease in low seasons.
• Destination – Your charter destination also plays a role in charter cost. For example, prices increase in areas without large charter fleets (i.e. the Galapagos), whereas Bahamas yacht charters,   BVI charters , or Mediterranean yacht charter are priced more competitively.

Additional Costs Considerations on Yacht Charter

In addition to the cost associated with running the yacht and provisioning, there are a number of other costs that must be considered. These are the most significant:

Advanced Provisioning Allowance

The APA on Plus Expenses charters equals roughly 35% of the yacht’s base price. This is a fee that’s collected prior to charter, and it’s similar to an expense account the captain can access during the charter. At the end of the charter, you will receive a detailed accounting of your APA account, plus any unused APA funds in cash.

In the case of overages, you may be required to replenish the APA account during the charter. This can be done with cash, although many choose to set up accounts with their charter brokers , which can be accessed if requested by the captain.

Taxes and Value Added Tax (VAT)

Most boats – whether all-inclusive or Plus Expenses – will not include local taxes or a Value Added Tax into their charter rate. The charterer will be responsible for paying those taxes. Taxes range significantly by destination; here’s a look at some of yachting’s most popular destinations:

• The Bahamas – Tax: 4% plus 10% VAT
• BVI – Tax: between $6 and $16 per person per day, depending on the flag of the boat
• Croatia – VAT: 13%
• Florida – Tax: 6% for Broward County, 7% for Miami-Dade County
• France – VAT: 20%, however, 10% can be applied when an itinerary includes International Waters
• Greece – VAT: 12%
• Italy – VAT: 22%, however 6.6% (over 24m) and 8.8% (under 24m) can be applied when an itinerary includes International Waters
• Montenegro – NO VAT
• New England – NO TAX
• Spain – VAT: 21%
• Turkey – NO VAT

Charterers can purchase cancellation and curtailment insurance – which is similar to traveler’s insurance. This insurance can help cover costs if a charterer must cancel or shorten the charter. Charter brokers can help you weigh insurance options, and often offer several different options.

Crew Gratuity

While crew gratuity is certainly not mandatory, it is recommended, particularly if you were truly impressed with your charter experience. In general, crew gratuity is roughly 15-20% of the base charter rate, which is handed to the captain at the conclusion of your charter.

Delivery Fees

While these fees do not apply on most charters, you may be asked to pay delivery costs if you are not chartering in the yacht’s normal cruising ground. In most cases, you will only be required to cover the fuel for the trip.

Call Worldwide Boat today to learn more. Our Charter Specialists are here to assist you with every detail and explain all charter costs. Or read our Charter Advice guide for more information and tips for planning your charter vacation.

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Additional Charter Cost FAQs

What are standard private charter yacht prices?

There are a number of factors that affect charter yacht pricing. However, on average, a week-long private yacht charter costs anywhere from $10,000 on luxurious sailing yachts and catamarans, and up to $150,000 for superyachts.

What affects charter yacht prices?

There are several things that influence how much your yacht charter will cost. The type of vessel, charter destination, length of trip, base cost, time of year, and local taxes all make a difference.

How much does it cost for a crewed vessel?

Charter yacht prices do increase when hiring a crew along with the boat. At Worldwide Boat, we offer two types of crewed charter experiences: all-inclusive and plus expenses. An all-inclusive charter yacht includes accommodation for all guests, food and drink, water sport activities, and fuel costs – dockage fees and taxes are charged separately. A plus expenses experience accounts for just the yacht’s base price. Things like food, drinks, fuel, dockages, taxes, and other expenses are charged separately and are usually estimated to be about 35% of the base price.

What’s included in all-inclusive boat charters?

At Worldwide Boat, your all-inclusive charter experience includes a diligent and friendly crew, water toys, food, drinks, fuel, water and electric services, and occasionally diving experiences.

What are some additional charter boat costs to consider?

After finding a base price you’re comfortable with and evaluating your package, you’ll also want to consider delivery fees, crew gratuity, insurance fees, taxes, and Advanced Provisioning Allowance rates. If you are responsible for these fees, your crew will handle the necessary transactions on your behalf.

What does it cost to rent a 100- foot yacht charter?

This depends on what type of vessel you’re looking at and how long you’ll need it for. The average weekly cost of a 100-foot sailing yacht is between $50,000-100,000. A weekly 80-foot catamaran charter runs around $40,000-100,000, and a week-long 100-foot motor yacht rental is anywhere between $50,000-80,000.

Does the price to rent a yacht change depending on what type of boat it is?

Yes. Worldwide Boat offers sailing yachts, catamarans, and motor yachts. All of these vessels have different capabilities, but there are other factors that determine the price beyond what type of boat you choose. The year the boat was built, owner, availability of water toys, onboard amenities, and the ship’s reputation can all change how much the ship is priced at.

When is the high season for yacht charters?

The price of a yacht fluctuates depending on the season. A Mediterranean yacht charter cost rises in the summer and drops in the winter, whereas Caribbean boat charter prices are high during the winter and lower in the summer months.

How does my destination affect charter yacht cost?

The more remote an area is, the more expensive it will be to charter a yacht there. That’s because prices go up in areas that have fewer boats. If you were to travel somewhere like the Galapagos, which isn’t a typical yacht destination, you’d pay more than you would if you were traveling to the Caribbean.

How much do I tip the crew when reviewing my yacht charter expenses?

It’s not required that you tip your crew, but it is recommended and appreciated. If you had an enjoyable experience it’s considered polite to tip your crew anywhere from 15-20% at the end of your charter.

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Charter a Sailboat: Cost, Prices, and Expenses Explained

Alex Morgan

Chartering a sailboat provides a unique and memorable experience of exploring the open waters at your own pace. The cost of chartering a sailboat can vary significantly depending on several factors. Understanding these factors and the different types of sailboat charter options available is essential for planning and budgeting your sailing adventure.

When it comes to the cost of chartering a sailboat, various factors come into play. The length of your charter, the size and type of the boat, the location and destination, and any additional services and amenities you require all affect the overall cost. A study conducted by Sailo, a leading boat rental marketplace, states that these factors can influence the cost of chartering a sailboat significantly.

There are different types of sailboat charter options available to suit your preferences and level of experience. The three main types include bareboat charter, skippered charter, and crewed charter. Each option varies in terms of the level of responsibility and support provided, with crewed charters offering the highest level of comfort and service.

To determine the cost breakdown of chartering a sailboat, it’s important to consider the base charter fee, which covers the rental cost of the boat itself. a security deposit may be required, which is refundable upon the safe return of the boat. It’s also essential to factor in additional expenses such as fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, and insurance.

Finding the best deals and discounts for sailboat charters can help reduce costs significantly. Shopping around, comparing prices, and booking during the off-peak season can often result in better rates. Some charter companies may offer promotions or last-minute deals , so staying updated and flexible with your travel plans can be advantageous .

For those on a tight budget, there are ways to make sailboat chartering more affordable. Opting for a smaller boat, chartering during the shoulder season, and considering shared charters or flotillas can help reduce costs. It’s also wise to plan and budget for additional expenses, such as meals and activities, to avoid any surprises.

Key takeaway:

• Chartering a sailboat offers the flexibility to explore various destinations and enjoy a unique sailing experience.
• The cost of chartering a sailboat depends on factors such as boat size, season, location, and additional services.
• There are different types of sailboat charter options available, including bareboat, skippered, and crewed charters.
• The cost breakdown of chartering a sailboat includes the base charter fee, security deposit, and additional expenses.
• To find the best deals and discounts, it’s advisable to research and compare prices from different charter companies.
• Tips for budget-friendly sailboat charter include booking during the off-season, opting for a smaller boat, and considering shared charters.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Chartering a Sailboat

When it comes to chartering a sailboat, the cost can vary depending on a few key factors. In this section, we’ll uncover the elements that influence the price of chartering a sailboat. From the size and type of the vessel to the season and duration of your trip, we’ll explore how these aspects play a role in determining the cost. We’ll delve into the impact of the location and destination, as well as any additional services and amenities you may opt for. Get ready to set sail and discover what affects the price of your dream sailboat charter !

Boat Size and Type

When choosing a sailboat for chartering, consider your needs and preferences. Smaller boats, like catboats and daysailers ( 17-22 feet ), offer an intimate and agile experience. For more space and comfort, sloops and weekenders ( 23-27 feet ) are suitable options. Cruisers and cabin sailboats ( 28-32 feet ) provide extra amenities and room for overnight stays. Midsize cruisers ( 33-37 feet ) offer a good balance of space and maneuverability. Large cruisers ( 38-45 feet ) provide even more luxury and spaciousness. For ultimate luxury, choose a luxury yacht ( 46+ feet ). Your choice of sailboat depends on your specific desires and requirements for your chartering experience.

Season and Duration

The season and duration are key factors to keep in mind when chartering a sailboat. During popular seasons like summer or holidays, the demand for sailboats increases, resulting in higher charter costs. In addition, longer durations of sailboat charters tend to be more expensive compared to shorter periods.

The cost of chartering a sailboat can vary depending on both the season and duration . For example, chartering a sailboat during the peak summer season may cost approximately 20% more compared to the off-peak season. Likewise, a week-long charter may cost approximately 30% more than a weekend charter.

Certain charter companies provide discounts for off-peak seasons or longer durations. For instance, you might come across a 10% discount when booking a sailboat charter during the shoulder season or a 15% discount when booking a charter for two weeks or more .

To secure the best deals and save money on sailboat charters, it is advised to consider booking during shoulder seasons . It is recommended to keep an eye out for special promotions and discounts offered by charter companies. Planning your trip in advance and maintaining flexibility with your travel dates can also aid in finding better deals.

When deciding on the season and duration for chartering a sailboat, it is crucial to align your budget and personal preferences . Whether you opt for the peak or off-peak season , and whether you choose a longer or shorter duration , ensure that it aligns with your desired experience and financial goals.

Location and Destination

When choosing a sailboat charter location, consider the following factors:

• Accessibility: Choose a location easily accessible to you and your group, considering proximity to airports or transportation hubs.
• Weather: Research destination weather conditions during your planned trip for favorable sailing conditions and seasons.
• Scenery: Select a location with picturesque landscapes and scenic routes to enhance your sailing experience and provide beautiful views.
• Water conditions: Consider water conditions such as currents, tides, and waves. Opt for calm waters if you’re a beginner or seeking a relaxed sailing experience.
• Attractions and activities: Look for a destination with a variety of attractions and activities on land and at sea to ensure a memorable and enjoyable vacation.
• Infrastructure and services: Check if the destination has adequate marinas, facilities, and services for sailboat charters. Ensure access to necessary supplies and support during your trip.

Fun Fact: The Caribbean, with its turquoise waters and stunning islands, is a popular destination for sailboat charters.

Additional Services and Amenities

When chartering a sailboat, you have the option to choose additional services and amenities . Here are some options to consider:

• Crewed services: Opt for a crewed charter for a relaxed and luxurious experience. Professional crew members, such as a captain, chef, and deckhands, will take care of everything from navigation to cooking .
• Provisioning: Save time and effort by using provisioning services to pre-order groceries and supplies for your trip.
• Water Toys: Enjoy additional amenities like paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling gear, and jet skis for your sailing adventure.
• WiFi and Entertainment Systems: Stay connected or enjoy entertainment onboard with sailboats that offer WiFi connectivity, TVs, and audio players.
• Dinghy and Outboard Motor: Explore islands and anchorages away from your sailboat with convenient transportation using a dinghy and outboard motor .
• Cooking and Barbecue Equipment: Enjoy cooking your meals onboard with a well-equipped galley and barbecue equipment .

Consider your preferences, needs, and budget when choosing additional services and amenities for your sailboat charter. These extras can enhance your sailing experience, providing convenience, comfort, and enjoyment during your trip.

Types of Sailboat Charter Options

When it comes to chartering a sailboat, the options can be as diverse as the open sea. From bareboat charters to skippered and crewed charters , each option brings a unique experience to sailing enthusiasts . Let’s discover the different types of sailboat charter options and what sets them apart. Whether you’re looking for the freedom to navigate on your own or prefer the luxury of a fully staffed vessel, there’s a charter option that will suit your seafaring desires. So, get ready to set sail and explore the possibilities!

Bareboat Charter

A bareboat charter is a type of sailboat rental where you are the captain and responsible for navigating and sailing the boat yourself. Important factors to consider when choosing a bareboat charter include:

– Experience: Prior sailing and navigation experience is important before opting for a bareboat charter. You should be comfortable with handling the boat, understanding navigation charts, and maneuvering in different weather conditions.

– Licensing and certifications: Some charter companies may require a valid sailing license or certification to rent a bareboat. Make sure you meet these requirements before booking.

– Insurance: It is advisable to have adequate insurance coverage for the boat in case of damages or accidents during your bareboat charter. Check with the charter company for specific insurance requirements.

– Provisions and supplies: As the captain, you are responsible for bringing your own food, drinks, and other necessities for the duration of the bareboat charter. Make a list and plan accordingly.

– Safety equipment: Ensure that the bareboat is equipped with necessary safety equipment such as life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits. Familiarize yourself with the location and operation of these items before setting sail.

During my bareboat charter in the Mediterranean, I had the opportunity to explore stunning coastal towns and secluded beaches at my own pace. The sense of adventure and freedom was unparalleled as I navigated the crystal-clear waters and experienced the thrill of sailing firsthand. It was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to connect with nature and create cherished memories with my friends and family.

Skippered Charter

A skippered charter is a great option for a stress-free sailing vacation. The professional skipper takes care of all sailing responsibilities, allowing you to relax and explore beautiful destinations. The skipper enhances your sailing experience by providing valuable insights and recommendations. Consider boat size, type, charter duration, and location when choosing a skippered charter. Discuss your preferences with the charter company to ensure the right skipper is paired with you.

Crewed Charter

When considering a crewed charter for sailboats, it is important to keep in mind the following factors:

1. Experienced Crew: A crewed charter involves a professional crew who handles all aspects of sailing, including navigation, maintenance, and cooking. Having an experienced crew ensures a safe and enjoyable journey.

2. Personalized Service: When you opt for a crewed charter, you can expect personalized service that is tailored to your preferences. The crew will cater to your needs, from organizing activities to preparing meals, and even suggesting the best spots for snorkeling or sightseeing.

3. Luxury Amenities: Crewed charters often offer luxurious amenities such as spacious cabins, ensuite bathrooms, and well-equipped kitchens. You can indulge in the comfort and convenience of a fully crewed yacht.

4. Flexibility and Freedom: One of the advantages of a crewed charter is the flexibility it offers. The crew will work with you to create an itinerary that suits your preferences, allowing you to explore destinations at your own pace.

5. Exceptional Dining Experience: On a crewed charter, you can enjoy an exceptional dining experience. The crew prepares delicious meals using fresh and local ingredients. You can delight in exquisite cuisine onboard while taking in the beautiful surroundings.

Cost Breakdown of Chartering a Sailboat

Looking to embark on a sailing adventure? Let’s dive into the cost breakdown of chartering a sailboat! From the base charter fee to the security deposit and additional expenses, we’ll uncover the financial aspects of your dream voyage. Get ready to set sail as we explore the nitty-gritty details of each sub-section, giving you a comprehensive understanding of the expenses involved in chartering a sailboat. It’s time to plan your perfect maritime getaway!

Base Charter Fee

The base charter fee is a significant cost when chartering a sailboat. It is the initial fee to rent the boat without any extra services or amenities. The cost of the base charter fee varies based on boat size, boat type, season, charter duration, location, destination, and level of luxury or comfort provided.

To give an idea of the base charter fee , here is a sample table:

In this example, the base charter fee for a 40-foot sailing yacht is $2,500, while for a 45-foot catamaran, it is $4,000. Note that these are sample prices and actual rates may vary based on the charter company, location, and other factors.

It is important to know that the base charter fee does not include additional expenses like fuel, provisioning, marina fees, or optional extras. These costs should be considered when planning a sailboat charter.

When comparing different charter options, consider the base charter fee along with any additional costs to understand the total price for your sailboat charter experience.

Security Deposit

When chartering sailboats, it is common for the company to require a security deposit as a precautionary measure against potential damages. It is important to keep the following points in mind:

• The amount of the deposit will vary depending on the size and type of sailboat. Larger and more luxurious boats may require a higher deposit.
• If there are no damages to the boat during the charter period, the deposit will be fully refunded .
• Before setting sail, thoroughly inspect the boat and make a note of any pre-existing damages to avoid being held responsible.
• In the event that damages occur during the charter, the cost of repairs will be deducted from the security deposit. It is crucial to promptly report any damages.

To ensure a stress-free charter experience, consider the following tips:

• Take the time to carefully read and understand the terms and conditions of the charter agreement regarding the security deposit.
• Capture detailed photographs of the boat before and after the charter as evidence of its condition.
• If there are any damages or issues, communicate them to the charter company immediately.
• In order to increase the likelihood of receiving a full security deposit refund, return the boat in its original condition.
• Make sure that you have sufficient funds available on your credit card to cover the security deposit until the end of the charter.

Additional Expenses

When chartering a sailboat, it’s crucial to take into account the additional expenses. These expenses encompass fuel costs, mooring fees, provisioning, and optional extras or activities. Let me break down the typical additional expenses for you:

– Fuel: The cost of fuel can range from $200 to $500 or even more.

– Mooring Fees: Expect to pay around $20 to $100 or more per night for mooring fees .

– Provisioning: Plan on spending anywhere from $200 to $500+ on provisioning expenses.

– Optional Extras: The cost of optional extras varies depending on the service provided.

The fuel costs will vary depending on the distance you intend to travel and the type of sailboat you choose. Mooring fees are typically charged by marinas or anchorages and vary depending on the location. Provisioning covers the expenses for food, drinks, and supplies needed for your trip. Optional extras may include activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, or hiring a skipper.

Make sure to factor in these additional expenses when budgeting for your sailboat charter. By planning ahead and considering all potential costs, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable sailing experience without any surprise expenses.

In the past, sailors had to carefully manage their expenses during long voyages. They had to allocate funds for food, repairs, and other unforeseen costs. Similarly, when you charter a sailboat today, it’s essential to take into account the additional expenses that may affect your budget. By keeping these costs in mind and planning accordingly, you can make the most of your sailboat charter and create lasting memories.

How to Find the Best Deals and Discounts

To find the best deals and discounts when chartering a sailboat, follow these tips on how to find the best deals and discounts:

1. Research multiple charter companies and compare prices and offerings to find the most competitive deal.

2. Consider booking during off-peak seasons when prices are often lower. For example, in the Caribbean, prices tend to be more affordable during hurricane season.

3. Stay flexible with your travel dates to take advantage of any last-minute deals or discounted rates.

4. Sign up for newsletters or follow charter companies on social media to stay informed about any special promotions or discounts they may offer.

5. Inquire about group discounts or special rates for larger parties if you’re traveling with a group.

6. Booking in advance can often result in securing better rates and availability, even though last-minute deals may be appealing.

7. Look for discounted rates during the shoulder seasons, which are the periods just before and after the peak season.

8. Inquire about loyalty programs or repeat customer discounts that charter companies may offer.

By following these guidelines, you can increase your chances of finding the best deals and discounts when chartering a sailboat.

Tips for Budget-Friendly Sailboat Charter

When planning a budget-friendly sailboat charter, here are some tips for saving money and enjoying a great sailing experience.

• Choose an off-peak season for your charter. Prices for sailboat charters vary depending on the time of year. By selecting a less popular time, you can find better deals and lower prices.
• Share the charter with a group. Splitting the cost with friends or family can significantly reduce the individual cost for each person.
• Research and compare prices from different charter companies. Take the time to shop around and find the best deal for your budget.
• Opt for a smaller or older sailboat . Larger and newer boats come with a higher price tag. Choosing a smaller or older boat can save you money without sacrificing the sailing experience.
• Bring your own provisions . Consider bringing your own snacks and meals instead of relying on onboard catering services to save on food expenses.
• Be flexible with your destination . Some sailing destinations have higher charter prices. By being open to different locations, you can find more affordable options.
• Book in advance . Many charter companies offer early booking discounts. By planning your charter well in advance, you can secure a lower price with special offers.

Some Facts About How Much Does It Cost To Charter A Sailboat:

• ✅ Renting a sailboat can be expensive, with costs varying depending on factors such as boat type, destination, season, and additional expenses. (Source: Our Team)
• ✅ The price of a yacht charter is determined by the type of boat, charter destination, base cost, taxes, insurance, and more. (Source: Our Team)
• ✅ Motor yachts are the most popular and offer a range of amenities, but they use more fuel and can be more expensive. (Source: Our Team)
• ✅ Sailing yachts provide a more relaxing experience and are great for couples, while catamarans offer more space and stability. (Source: Our Team)
• ✅ The charter destination also affects the cost, with popular locations like the Mediterranean and the British Virgin Islands having lower prices due to competition. (Source: Our Team)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to charter a sailboat.

The cost of chartering a sailboat can vary depending on factors such as the charter destination, size of the boat, time of year, and base cost. On average, the weekly cost can range from $10,000 to $500,000, with larger motor yachts being more expensive.

What factors influence the total cost of a yacht charter?

Several factors influence the total cost of a yacht charter, including the type of boat, charter destination, base cost, taxes, insurance, and additional expenses. The charter destination and season can also impact the price, with popular locations and off-peak seasons offering lower prices due to competition.

Is it cheaper to charter a yacht compared to a land-based vacation?

Yes, yacht charters can offer great value compared to other types of vacations. The total cost of a charter is often cheaper than a land-based vacation, as it includes accommodation, food, drinks, and amenities. For example, a crewed catamaran charter in the Caribbean can be a better deal than a 5-star resort, with all-inclusive pricing.

Can I get discounts on yacht charters?

Yes, there are opportunities to get discounts on yacht charters. Charters during the off-season often come with discounts, and last-minute deals can be found if there are unchartered boats available. It’s recommended to work with an independent Charter Broker, who can source the most suitable yacht for your group and negotiate the best price on your behalf.

What additional expenses should I consider when estimating the cost of a yacht charter?

When estimating the cost of a yacht charter, it’s important to consider additional expenses such as fuel, food, drinks, taxes, insurance, crew gratuity, and the Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA). The APA covers running expenses and is paid before the charter. Taxes and insurance fees are usually paid separately, and crew gratuity is recommended at 15-20% of the base charter rate.

What is the advantage of chartering a sailboat with friends?

Chartering a sailboat with friends can be a cost-effective option. The price per couple is reasonable compared to securing multiple hotel rooms or suites. For example, a group of 4 couples can split the cost of a charter in the British Virgin Islands, making it an attractive option. Chartering with friends provides the complete freedom to explore different gorgeous settings and enjoy activities like water sports together.

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How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Yacht?

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Who among us hasn’t dreamed of cruising far horizons aboard a luxurious private yacht? Even just imagining ourselves cruising around sandy shores, anchoring in secluded coves, and pulling up to a great waterfront restaurant or a colorful beachside bar makes us happy.

Yacht charter makes all of this a reality. If you’re concerned about the cost of chartering a yacht, cast your apprehensions aside. Plenty of options means there’s no reason to give up on being the hero or heroine of your own dreams.

Here we’ll go over the types of private yacht charters and the costs of one. Let’s dream big together, shall we?

Explore available yacht rentals near you

Types of private yacht charters

Firstly, there are different types of private yacht charters. All-inclusive charters include the yacht, a professional captain and crew , all onboard meals and beverages, harbor fees, and fuel costs.

You’ll likely enjoy this experience the most if your hardest decision all day is how many cups of coffee you’ll drink at breakfast.

Meanwhile, a plus-expenses private yacht charter includes the yacht, the captain, and the crew. Meal costs and fuel costs are separate. So, too, are port taxes, dockage, and other fees.

You pay for these through an allowance before stepping aboard or a bill at the end of your trip. Either way, it allows for a more personalized, tailored experience.

Note that these types of private yacht charter are much different than the bareboat charter type. With that type of trip, you’re basically the owner and crew rolled into one.

You chart where you want to go, fuel up as needed along the way, and provision the boat. Similar to renting a car while on vacation, you keep the boat neat and tidy so there’s a quick turnaround for the next customers to step up.

Costs of a private yacht charter

Okay, now that you understand the types of charter, you’re still probably wondering how much it is. The cost of chartering a yacht may seem high, at least initially.

However, it actually can be quite reasonable if a few friends or family members join you and split the expenses. In fact, you may find you get more bang for your buck compared to other upscale entertainment choices, like staying at a resort.

A few factors ultimately influence the cost of chartering a yacht. As already mentioned, all-inclusive charters are different than plus-expenses charters. Additionally, the age of the yacht and the crew’s reputation comes into play.

The time of the year —peak summer season, for example— does as well. The charter’s length, the yacht’s size, and the passenger total are often the biggest factors, however.

Consider a yacht in Miami that lists at $2,100 for an eight-hour day . Once you add fuel costs, dockage fees, and the captain’s gratuity, the total is about $3,300.

Since the yacht accommodates 12 people, that’s $275 per person. Even with just eight people, you’re each paying $412.50. Remember, this isn’t just transportation; it’s sightseeing, anchoring, swimming, and so much more entertainment all rolled into one day.

Ultimately, the cost of a private yacht charter can and does reflect a vacation as laid-back or as extravagant as you wish. Yachts from 45 to 65 feet in length easily can accommodate up to 10 people.

Usually, they book trips lasting a few hours, though some further offer daylong charters. At the other end of the spectrum are ultra-luxurious experiences in which 12 or more in your party can spend a week aboard.

These are much larger yachts—well over 100 feet—with much larger crews. They’re decked out with spas, swimming pools, and regal staterooms with marble-lined baths (too luxurious to be called heads).

This type of deluxe charter comes with a price tag of six figures for a week. If you book one, let us know if we can tag along—or at least tag us on Instagram.

Remember, too, that gratuities aren’t included in the cost of a private yacht charter, regardless of whether you book an all-inclusive or plus-expenses trip. If you’re pleased with the crew and the service, tip 15% to 20% of the charter fee.

If, after reviewing all these details, you decide the cost to charter a yacht just isn’t in your budget, don’t give up!

Consider instead boat sharing or boat renting

Boat-sharing sites like Boatsetter give people like you more access to great boats, with more boats added all the time. Grab a group of your friends and family, and get out on the water. That’s the most important thing to do.

Learn more about renting out your boat or yacht from Owners on the platform.

Boatsetter is a unique boat-sharing platform that gives everyone — whether you own a boat or you’re just renting — the chance to experience life on the water. You can list a boat , book a boat , or make money as a captain .

List your boat & start earning an avg. of $20K yearly with Boatsetter

A journalist with more than 30 years’ experience, Diane M. Byrne is the owner of MegayachtNews.com, a daily website educating American superyacht owners, buyers, and their circles of influence about the leading builders, designers, cruising destinations, and more. She founded the website in 2007 as the first, and still the only, American-focused online media outlet exclusively covering this market. It features all-original content, for real stories of real interest.

Diane is additionally one of the most-sought-after journalists for expert editorial coverage and commentary about not only superyachts, but also general boating and yachting. Her byline appears in Boatsetter.com, DiscoverBoating.com, and the magazines Luxury Guide, Ocean, Yachting, and Yachts International.

Additionally, Diane is the Chair of the U.S. Superyacht Association, having been on the Board of Directors since 2015. Outside of yachting, she’s a trustee of Sempre Avanti, a non-profit resource supporting Italian and Italian-American individuals, businesses, and organizations in the United States and Italy.

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Yacht Charter: How Much Does it Cost? All Rental Costs Explained

How much it costs to rent a yacht isn’t always a very clear cut answer. There are numerous ways to charter a yacht and different factors can significantly increase or lower the cost of a yacht rental.

Here are the main costs to consider to estimate the total yacht rental price of your next yacht charter.

Yacht Rental Costs in a Nutshell

To calculate the price of a yacht charter, you need to sum the base fee of the yacht charter (the price you see displayed on websites), taxes (varies depending on destination), APA , crew gratuity and insurance cost . 

Depending on the details of your yacht charter, you will need to add between 30% and 100% on top of the base fee to have the total cost of your rental.

Here is an idea of the ranges you can expect for the yacht charter base fees :

• Motor Yachts – Sailing Yachts under 50ft: €4 000 – €15 000 / week
• Motor Yacht – Sailing Yachts between 50ft and 65ft: €15 000 – €40 000 / week
• Motor Yachts – Sailing Yachts between 65ft and 80ft: €40 000 – €70 000 / week
• Motor Yachts – Sailing Yachts between 80ft and 100ft: €70 000 – €100 000 / week
• Motor Yachts – Sailing Yachts over 100ft: €100 000 – up to 1,000,000 / week

To know the estimation of your total yacht rental cost based on your situation, use our free calculator below , or read the next paragraphs to make the calculations on your own.

What is the (true) cost of chartering the yacht you've seen? 💰⛵

The advertised prices of all charter companies do not include APA, VAT & other variable costs. 

Use our calculator to get a 100% FREE estimate of the REAL total cost of your next yacht charter! ⬇

How is the total price of a yacht rental calculated?

There are two main categories of yacht charters: all-inclusive or separated charges. 

The all-inclusive yacht rentals option (rare)

The all-inclusive option isn’t very common in yacht charters, and tends to be for smaller yachts and cruise where it’s easier to package a standardized offer.

As the name implies, all-inclusive yacht charter offers a price that includes everything: fuel, food, beverages, and entertainment (diving and fishing equipment).

The “usual” option: base charter rates and separated variable charges to add on top

In most yachting websites, the price of a yacht charter only refers to the  base price  of a boat at its lowest possible charter time.

It doesn’t include many variable costs such as food and beverage, fuel, taxes, insurance and so on.

To understand the total cost of chartering a yacht when it’s not all-inclusive (which is almost always the case), it’s therefore important to split the costs that are included in the base rate of the yacht (the price you’ll see displayed on a website) from the costs that are not included in that base rate , that you will therefore need to add yourself if you want a precise estimation.

Don’t worry, the math isn’t rocket science.

The formula goes like this:

Total yacht charter price = Base charter fee + APA + Taxes + Insurance

We’ll detail each costs in the following paragraphs.

The base charter fee of a yacht rental: Costs and factors included in the calculation

The base charter fee of the yacht rental is essential in calculating the total cost of your charter. Most variable costs are calculated as a percentage of that base fee and are simply summed up together along with the base fee to get the total cost.

Here is what you should know about the base charter fee.

The base charter fee follows a simple rule: the longer the yacht, the higher the charter cost

The boat’s size affects the base charter fee considerably. It determines the number of cabins and guest capacity , the number of staff on board, along with a lot of amenities that tend to get more spacious and more luxurious the longer the yacht gets. 

Everything that comes with the yacht (including the staff!) is included in the base charter fee.

The more reputable and in-demand the yacht is, the higher the base fee gets

A yacht reputation and popularity can also affect the base fee, even for boats within the same size range.

Boats are by definition limited in stock and follow supply and demand laws . When a particular yacht is in high demand, whether it’s thanks to its reputation, its features, the season or its recent appearance in a movie, series or TV shows the price of the charter can shoot up.

For instance, chartering a yacht featured in a James Bond movie such as  luxury yacht Regina  won’t cost the same as a regular model. Likewise for most yachts that are a part of the popular Below Deck TV show .

It can also be true for some classic yachts that had famous builders or previous celebrity owners.

The season does influence the yacht rental prices at the base fee level

Your yacht charter base fee depends to some extent on your date of departure. 

If you take your vacation during the busiest weeks of the year (high season) of a destination, you’ll pay a higher base price than someone who charters a yacht on low season dates.

In the Mediterranean, the high season is in summer while it’s in winter for the Caribbean. The yacht charter base fees will be at their highest during these months. 

Sometimes just a week or two can make a big difference to the price. Chartering a yacht in shoulder seasons can be a good idea when you are looking for good deals.

Likewise, since some destinations have very short seasons , it has increased demands and makes it more expensive.

International events will also increase the cost of a yacht charter. Expect to pay more if you want to attend the Monte-Carlo Masters (April), the Cannes Film Festival (May), or the Monaco Grand Prix (May) during your yachting vacations in the Mediterranean.

The destination you pick can affect the base charter fee of your yacht rental

Your vacation destination is an essential factor in the yacht charter charge that is included in the base fee. 

As the supply and demand law dictates, the more competition there is, the less you have to spend. It is why locations with large charter fleets are less expensive.

The Bahamas, BVI and the Mediterranean are for example more affordable than remote islands without established yachting industries.

The water toys are usually included in your base yacht charter fee and influence its amount

On a yacht, water toys don’t refer to your average backyard inflatable unicorns. Think instead of big equipment for marine activities: jet skis, kite-surf, kayaks, paddleboards, submarines, and expensive high-powered yacht tenders.

Some vessels come with sea pools or a giant slide to glide from the top of the boat straight into the ocean.

Most of these items, especially when they are in high numbers, can come at a cost that will be on the bottom line of your yacht charter invoice.

All the water toys specified in the yacht brochure when you make the reservation are generally included in the base fee . But it’s up to you if you want to rent others or even buy them. Make sure you ask your broker for advice about the cost of these extra if your budget is limited.

The base fee of your yacht charter is fixed and proportional to its duration

Most yacht charter companies only work ‘per week,’ and yacht owners rarely accept a shorter duration. Many companies have minimum stays of ten days, however some boats accept day charter or short periods, you can always ask your broker for an appropriate selection.

You can rent a vessel for two weeks or more, but the price won’t go down for longer holidays.

Yacht rental costs that are NOT included in yacht charter base fee

Now that we’ve seen what is usually included in the charter base fee, let’s find more about all these costs that you’ll have to add to the base fee to estimate your total yacht rental cost.

APA: the main variable cost of your yacht charter (add 20%-40% to your base fee)

The charter fee usually covers the cost of renting the yacht and the crew’s salary. But you still need to pay for fuel, provisions, and other extras for your trip. 

A fee covers all these additional costs : APA or Advanced Provisioning Allowance.  Find out more about the APA here.

APA is the standard system to pay your expenses on a luxury yacht charter, and it is generally a percentage of the charter fee. You’ll usually end up paying between 20% and 40% more than the base cost of the yacht charter in APA.

The amount varies a lot, depending on the ship and your activities. It will increase if the yacht has a higher fuel consumption, if you plan on cruising more than 4 hours a day, if you want to have onboard particular expensive brands, etc.

What does the APA cover?

APA covers all the day-to-day operating expenses. It also includes any special requests you might have while you’re on board. 

Here are the main costs of your yacht rental the APA covers: 

Food and drink

On your yacht charter, the chef can prepare all the dishes you want, whether you are vegan or low carb, whether you have allergies or require kosher meals. Make sure that you explain your food preferences to your broker.

Fuel Charges

Your fuel costs will depend on your boat, your itinerary, and whether you choose to cruise or stay at anchor. A sailing yacht charter can cost 10% less than a motor yacht charter because the fuel consumption is smaller.

This amount also includes the fuel expenditure of any water toys and tenders you use during your charter.

Harbor fees and dockage

The harbor fees and dockage will be more or less high-priced depending on your destination and season. All these costs will be included in your APA.

Communications Costs

For most people, yachting is about enjoying life outside of the daily routine. If you can’t survive without the Internet or satellite communications, you don’t have to worry. Your yacht charter will provide you all the digital connections needed. They won’t add much to the APA, but it’s still something that comes at a price.

Delivery fee

If you board or disembark the ship outside its usual harbor, you’ll have to pay a transportation fee to cover the fuel required to get your yacht to your requested destination.

Interiors and Laundry

The APA fee includes interiors and laundry costs to keep the yacht immaculate. But if you request unique decoration, it may add an extra charge.

Personal laundry services may not be covered depending on the yacht.

Taxes: a cost that varies a lot from country to country (add between 0% and 35% on top of base charter fee)

Taxes do have an impact on the total cost of your yacht charter, especially in some destinations.

For example, in Europe, chartering a commercial vessel is subject to VAT . But fees vary significantly according to your destination and itinerary. Some countries have a 0-tax rate (Montenegro, New England), while in others a passage in the international waters can lower the VAT rate.

The taxes can vary from VAT, national parks entrance (la Maddalena in Sardinia for example), countries taxes etc. the VAT and taxes will be based on the charter fee, so make sure you discuss this with your advisor to anticipate the cost.

Here are some VAT rate applied on luxury yacht charter in 2022 :

–  Charter in France  will be at 20 % VAT based on charter fee

–  Charter in Italy  will charge 22 % VAT based on charter fee

–  Charter in Spain  will charge 21 % VAT based on charter fee

–  Charter in Croatia  will charge 13 % VAT based on charter fee

–  Charter in Greece  will charge 24 % VAT based on charter fee with a discount of 60% on charter of more than 48h ending usually at 12% VAT, this is subject to change in 2022.

Moreover some countries such as Spain or Greece charge a licence for a yacht to be able to embark passengers for a paid charter in their waters, this explains why not every yacht can cruise in all countries.

Crew gratuity: a good practice to include in the cost of your yacht charter (add 15-20% to the base charter fee)

The crew on a yacht work even if you don’t notice it. 

Serving, cleaning, preparing, fixing, they are the key elements that make your charter a success. 

Even if tipping is not strictly mandatory, it is common practice to include a tip to the team when you are satisfied by their services. 

The suggested amount is around 15-20% of your base charter rate . It is therefore important to include this amount in your yacht rental price beforehand.

Yacht charter cancellation insurance: a small cost that can save you a lot (add 15% of your base fee)

Cancelling or shortening a yacht charter can be very expensive if you don’t have cancellation insurance.

It is a small price to pay to ensure that all the money spent on your yacht charter will not go to waste if some unfortunate event leads you to miss your yacht rental.

As a charter company, we will help you select the best insurance options among several different offers.

In most cases, your cancellation insurance will cost around 15% of your charter base fee.

A typical yacht rental total cost isn’t as hard to determine as it seems when you know all the variable costs and your base fee.

Once you have your base charter fee in hands, add the following costs to estimate the final amount you’ll see on your yacht rental invoice:

• 20% – 40% on top of your base fee for APA (low end for sailing vessels, higher end for motoryachts)
• 0% – 30% of taxes and VAT on top of your base price. Highly dependant on your destination.
• 10% – 15% on top of your base fee for crew gratuity
• 15% on top of your base fee for cancellation insurance

Get in touch with our team to estimate more precisely the cost of your yacht charter project.

FAQ about cost of yacht charter and APA

Small motoryachts and sailing yachts under 50 ft (15m) can be chartered from 4,000€ to 15,000€ weekly.

Chartering motoryachts and sailing yachts between 50ft and 65ft costs between 15,000€ and 40,000€ weekly.

Between 65ft (20m) and 80ft (24m), you can expect motoryachts and sailing boats charters between 40,000€ and 70,000€ weekly. Between 80ft (24m) and 100ft (30m), the cost of chartering a yacht ranges between 70,000€ and 100,000€ weekly.

For yachts over 100ft (30m), the cost of charter ranges between 100,000€ and 1,000,000€ weekly.

APA stands for Advance Provisionning Allowance. You pay this fee in advance to cover food and drinks, fuel charges, harbors fees and dockage, communication, delivery fee various fees such as cleaning or interior design.

Advance Provisionning Allowance varies depending on your travel plans. Usually, it represents a surcharge of 20% to 40% on top of the yacht charter base price.

The APA is due one month before you set sail when dispensing your final charter payment. The captain directly receives the money and will supervise all the purchases made before and during your journey. He will be responsible for ensuring the crew stays within budget and will provide receipts upon request.

APA estimations are usually accurate. The captain will keep you updated during your trip. If you decide to go over the initial payment, you can top up the APA in cash or pay the balance during your trip.

With transparent communication, realistic budgets, and advanced provisioning, you may spend less than the APA and have the difference returned to you at the end of the cruise.

Get the base charter fee of your yacht rental, add taxes, APA, crew gratuity and cancellation insurance and you will have a very close estimation of your yacht rental cost everything included.

The base charter rate includes everything that is on a yacht: cabins, amenities, water toys along with the crew. Everything else (fuel, food, taxes…) come at an extra cost.

Crew gratuity is usually comprised between 15% and 20% on top of the base charter fee for most yacht rentals.

For sailboats in tax free areas, you can get away with a total cost of 30% on top of the base rate. In extreme cases (motoryachts in high taxed countries with big tips for the crew and cancelation insurance), you can more than double the base price. Most charters should be in between within the 40-80% on top of base fee range.

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Understanding Yacht Chartering Costs: A Comprehensive Guide

Imagine sailing the open seas, surrounded by azure waters, and basking in the luxury of a private yacht. Yacht chartering offers a unique and exhilarating experience, but it’s essential to understand the costs associated with it before embarking on this adventure. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the various expenses involved in chartering a yacht, from the base charter rates to additional fees and seasonal price variations. We’ll also provide you with valuable tips on how to budget effectively for your dream yacht charter.

Base Charter Rates

The base charter rate is the starting point for calculating the cost of your yacht charter. This rate typically covers the rental of the yacht itself for a specific duration, which can range from a few days to several weeks. The base charter rate varies widely depending on several factors:

• Yacht Size and Type: Larger and more luxurious yachts come with higher base charter rates. Motor yachts are generally more expensive than sailing yachts due to their higher operational costs.
• Yacht Age and Condition: Newer yachts in excellent condition command higher charter rates than older vessels.
• Location: The location of your charter significantly influences the base rate. Popular destinations like the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas tend to have higher prices and local taxes.
• Time of Year: Peak chartering seasons in specific regions can lead to higher base rates. For instance, the Caribbean can be more expensive during the winter months when the weather is ideal.
• Duration: Longer charters may offer lower daily rates compared to shorter ones.
• Inclusions: Some charters include additional amenities such as water toys, scuba equipment, or a chef. These extras can impact the base rate.

Additional Fees

Understanding the additional fees associated with yacht chartering is crucial for budgeting effectively. These fees can significantly impact the total cost of your charter:

• Fuel: Yachts consume fuel, even sailing yachts, and you may be responsible for covering these costs. Fuel expenses can vary depending on the yacht’s size, distance traveled, and usage of amenities like air conditioning and water sports equipment.
• Crew: Most charter yachts come with a crew that includes a captain, chef, or possibly a stewardess, and deckhand. The crew’s salaries and gratuities are usually included in the base rate, but it’s customary to tip them, often around 15-20% of the base charter rate.
• Provisions: You may need to budget for food and beverages during your charter. You can either purchase your provisions locally or opt for a fully provisioned charter, where the crew stocks the yacht with your preferred items.
• Dockage and Marina Fees: When you choose to dock at marinas or ports, you’ll incur fees. These fees can vary widely, and the more popular the destination, the higher the costs.
• Taxes and Permits: Some regions may require specific permits or impose taxes on yacht charters. Be sure to inquire about these expenses before booking.
• Communication and Entertainment: If you require internet access or want to use satellite TV, you may have to pay extra for these services.
• Optional Extras: Water sports equipment, scuba diving, and excursions are often available for an additional fee.

Seasonal Price Variations

The time of year you choose for your yacht charter can significantly affect the overall cost:

• High Season: The high season typically corresponds to the best weather conditions in a given region. Charter rates are at their peak during this time, so expect higher prices.
• Low Season: Chartering during the off-peak season can yield cost savings. However, be prepared for less predictable weather.
• Shoulder Season: Consider chartering during the shoulder season, which falls between the high and low seasons. You may enjoy good weather and more reasonable rates.

Tips for Budgeting

Here are some tips to help you budget effectively for your yacht charter:

• Set a Clear Budget: Determine your total budget, including the base charter rate, additional fees, and discretionary expenses. Stick to it to avoid overspending.
• Plan Ahead: Book your charter well in advance to secure better rates and availability, especially during peak seasons.
• Opt for Inclusive Packages : Fully provisioned or all-inclusive charters can simplify your budgeting by covering many expenses upfront.
• Be Mindful of Crew Gratuity: Factor in the crew’s gratuity when planning your budget. It’s a significant expense and a customary practice.
• Consider Trip Insurance: Trip insurance can protect you from unforeseen circumstances and potential additional costs.
• Review the Charter Agreement: Thoroughly review the charter agreement to understand what is and isn’t included in your charter rate.

Yacht chartering can be an unforgettable experience, and understanding the costs involved is essential to ensure a stress-free journey. By considering base charter rates, additional fees, and seasonal price variations, and following our budgeting tips, you can embark on your yacht charter adventure with confidence, knowing that you’ve planned for a seamless and enjoyable voyage on the high seas. Happy sailing!

Get a Quote

Are you ready to let us show you what we can do for you? We can’t wait! This is as exciting for us as it is for you. We began this business because we love putting the perfect yacht charter together for our clients and getting the best of the best at the right price point thanks to our contacts and experience. 

Use our quick contact form to give us the basics about what you’re looking for and we’ll send you ideas and pricing. Don’t worry if it’s not grand enough or should be scaled back; we’ll take care of that too. When you love the plan, we put it into action. All you have to do is show up and enjoy.

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How much does it really cost to charter a luxury yacht?

Booking your first charter can be a tricky stretch of water to navigate, especially when you're confronted with provisioning allowances and price variations before even stepping on board. To make things a little easier, we have put together the ultimate guide to all the costs you might encounter when booking your dream yacht charter vacation...

If you want to charter a luxury superyacht , understanding the costs involved can seem a little daunting first time around. The two important things to understand are your base price, referred to as a "charter fee" or "charter rate", together with what you will be expected to pay on top of it. All-inclusive charter rates are not industry practice, so guests should expect to be paying more than just the basic fees listed on broker’s websites or in their brochures.

The best analogy for determining the cost of your charter is with buying a car. It’s never quite as easy as just walking into a showroom and saying, “I’ll take the blue one.” Immediately the salesman will whip out his order pad and start asking questions. “Do you want a radio?” “How about the fancy wheels?” “Did you want the two-tone paint?”

Yacht brokers will be able to provide you with an accurate estimation of all the costs involved in advance, but here is a breakdown of what to expect.

What is a yacht “charter”?

At a basic level, chartering a yacht means paying a fee to rent out an owner’s superyacht for an agreed period of time with a pre-arranged itinerary of where you will be cruising on board. During a charter vacation you will have access to all of the superyacht’s amenities which could include a swimming pool, beach club or cinema, as well as the toybox, which often provides equipment for water sports like wakeboarding, snorkelling or water skiing. During charters, guests will be looked after by the yacht’s crew, who will take care of your every need, including ferrying you to and from shore, washing laundry and providing meals cooked by the yacht’s chef.

How much does it cost to charter a superyacht?

Across BOAT International's listings, a charter vacation can range from a minimum of €14,000 per week (20 metre yacht George V ) to a maximum of €2,200,000 per week (126.2 Octopus ). Generally speaking, the bigger the yacht the bigger the cost of the charter, but this isn't always the case. There are actually many more factors that can influence the basic charter fee – not to mention the add-on expenses that are involved.

According to averages taken from BOAT International’s listings, smaller superyachts measuring under 30 metres LOA will have a weekly charter rate somewhere around €40,000 while yachts between 30 and 40 metres will weigh in at an average of €70,895 per week. 

Over 40 metres is when the charter rate will move into the €100,000 per week range, with yachts between 50 and 60 metres costing on average €219,826 per week while yachts in the 60 to 70 metre range average €444,521. Mega yachts measuring 80 metres and over will, on average, set charterers back by around €1.7 million a week. This is just an average price, however, and each yacht’s charter rate will be affected by a number of aspects from how many cabins and amenities there are on board to the dates and locations of where the charter takes place.

What factors can influence the base price of a yacht charter?

High season vs. low season.

In general, you’ll find two basic rates: high season and low season, usually with specific dates set for each. In addition, you’ll find chartering around special events that are more expensive: New Year’s Eve , Monaco during the Grand Prix , Cannes during the Film Festival , an Olympic destination or on the sidelines of the America’s Cup .

The key is to choose your times carefully. A difference of one week (from high season into low season) can significantly alter the cost, while still providing the same weather as the more expensive period. For yachts measuring between 30 and 40 metres, the high season price could result in an increased cost of around €6,000 per week. The highest increase in an average charter rate between low and high seasons can be seen in BOAT's listings of yachts measuring between 60 and 80 metres, with high season rates potentially costing around €33,000 extra.

The yacht itself

The yacht itself is a major factor in determining the charter cost, but it’s not just about size. A recently launched charter yacht from a famed builder with an experienced and popular charter crew is going to command top prices for its size range. Yachts with a legendary name or a history of celebrity ownership (for example Malcolm Forbes's iconic charter yacht Highlander , which has hosted everyone from Elizabeth Taylor to HRH Prince Charles) can also ask higher rates just for the “fame” value. And yachts with special features, such as cinemas or exceptional water toys like a submarine are also pricier.

Three different 30 metre charter yachts may vary in cost by as much as €75,000. Ask your broker to explain the differences. One yacht may have a larger and more experienced crew or a big-name chef, another yacht may be a little tired, another may not be in a prime location. It’s important to understand why the prices are higher or lower.

If a yacht has a gap in its charter calendar to fill, for example following an unexpected cancellation, some brokers will occasionally offer a time-limited charter fee discount offer .

What is included in a charter contract?

Knowing the base price of your charter is just the starting point. Depending on the location, which often governs the terms of the contract , more or less may be included in the inital fee, such as insurance or cancellation policies. Bear in mind that every charter yacht, because they are privately owned and the owner sets the rules, is slightly different. One yacht may include a “standard” selection of wines with every meal and charge only to upgrade the vintages, while on another yacht the wines are a la carte. Below we look at the different types of charter contracts you may come across when booking your yacht.

Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA)

Under Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA) charter contracts, which are arguably the most common, the charterer is charged for the hire of the yacht, fuel, marina fees, crew wages, guests' personal laundry, insurance, water toys, food and drink as well as engine room maintenance and miscellaneous expenses. As a round number, which depends on how much fuel the yacht uses and how fancy the meals and drinks, you can expect to add 25% to 50% of your charter cost.

Caribbean Terms Inclusive (CTI)

The Caribbean Terms Inclusive (CTI), which is sometimes called Standard Caribbean Terms (SCT), is another type of charter contract which is more inclusive. It accounts for three meals per day and fuel for four hours of cruising a day. Some yachts under CTI terms include basic beverages (not vintage wines or champagnes), but this is mainly in the Virgin Islands.

Greek Terms (GT)

For yachts being chartered around the Greek Islands and mainland, another common phrase you may come across is "Greek Terms" or a GT contract. This will similarly include the cost of the yacht and its equipment, crew wages and laundry as well as any specific berthing fees required for Greek waters. 

What is an Advance Provisioning Allowance?

Part of your yacht charter contract will include an Advance Provisioning Allowance or APA. This is an amount of about 30-35 per cent of the charter fee for a “plus all expenses” charter and about five per cent for an “all-inclusive” charter. It is sent to the yacht before the charter to provision the yacht according to your preferences.

During the charter, the captain will provide a running account of the usage of the funds and, at the end of the charter, will present a detailed accounting along with any unused funds in cash. If the APA balance runs low during the charter, the client is expected to provide the captain with a sufficient amount in cash to cover the needs for the remainder of their stay. Since many charterers prefer not to carry quantities of cash, the charter broker can hold an amount and release it to the captain as needed. Here is what is covered by an APA...

Food and drink

Before you book a charter, your charter broker can provide you with a good estimate of the additional costs that will be incurred. Food is one of the largest and it is directly proportional to how exuberantly you plan to dine. If you expect several bottles of Champagne with every meal, then you can assume that your costs will be higher.

Fuel can be another cost and, again, it depends on how much the yacht cruises and how fast, too. Time spent at anchor will include the fuel for the generators, while shore-side electricity when at a dock is also an extra. Don’t forget that fuel is also charged for the tenders and water toys , so you’ll pay for the fuel used while zipping around on the jetskis.

Harbour fees and dockage

Harbour fees and dockage are a variable that can range from exorbitant (a front-row dock at the Monaco Grand Prix) to little or nothing in some areas.

Communications

Communications are another cost and, with the options for satellite communications and Internet, an important one for most charterers.

Delivery fee

A delivery fee is usually charged if a charterer requests to board (or depart) a yacht at a distance from where the yacht is normally based.

All the yacht laundry, including towels, sheets and table linens, is included in the charter fee, but some yachts charge to launder personal items of the charterer. Most, however, will do small quantities of personal laundry as a service but they usually won’t be responsible for delicate items.

At the end of each yacht charter, a cash tip is given by the primary guest to the captain to divide amongst the crew. Standards for a crew tip can range from five to 20 per cent of the base charter rate. This is not a cost included in the APA but some brokers will advise that any APA funds leftover at the end of the charter can be used to make up part for the tip. To learn more, read our handy charter tipping guide .

One cost not directly related to the operation of the charter yacht is insurance for the charterer. Cancellation and curtailment insurance is the charter version of travel insurance on airlines and cruise ships: It covers the charterer for the costs if unforeseen circumstances force a cancellation or shortening of the charter. Your charter broker can provide this insurance, which is a wise investment.

Charterers may be charged VAT, or “value added tax”, on the charter fees. Many European countries and a few Caribbean islands add VAT, but it is a complex issue that depends on where you board and debark the yacht, so rely on your charter broker for advice.

Made to measure

While it may seem at first glance that the extras or "hidden costs" on many charters are just a way to pad your bill, they are actually a benefit to the charterer. Food and drink, for example, is custom-ordered to meet the client’s requests, so the level of expense is entirely up to the charterer. Fuel is only charged if it is used and other fees are also at the discretion of the charterer. So you do have a way to control your costs and still savour a luxurious charter. What is important to remember is that each charter is unique depending on the needs and desires of the guests, and brokers and crew will always work to satisfy those demands. Ready to get started? Browse our charter listings to pick the perfect charter yacht for your next vacation.

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How Much Does it Actually Cost to Charter a Yacht?

From tips to APAs, we steer you through all the costs associated with private yacht charters.

By Emma Al-Mousawi

Not many things can match the glamour of yacht travel. The endless opportunities for exploration in the most luxurious of settings, as the wind blows through your hair, sounds even more alluring after a year spent indoors with feet firmly on solid ground. As we emerge from the grips of the pandemic, a private yacht charter could offer adventure seekers the perfect escape away from the crowds. And one of the most common questions amongst novice charterers is ‘how much does it actually cost to charter a yacht?’

Here at Elite Traveler, we are answering this question and more as we round up the key costs that anyone planning their first yacht charter needs to take into consideration.

[See also: The World’s Most Expensive Yachts for Charter]

What will my yacht charter rate include? 

Most importantly, there are generally two types of yacht charter: an all-inclusive charter and the more common ‘plus expenses’ charter. As suggested by the name, the cost of an all-inclusive yacht charter will include (almost) everything such as crew, food, drinks, fuel and water sports equipment (though always check as this does vary between charter companies). However, s ome all-inclusive charters won’t include dockage or mooring fees, which can soon add up – but more on that later. 

A ‘plus expenses’ or ‘separated charges’ charter is where a base price is charged for the ship and its crew, while everything else is paid for through an ‘Advance Provisioning Allowance’ (APA) before you step onboard. Prior to a voyage, guests will complete a preference sheet with their likes and dislikes, enabling the chef and service team to stock up on the guest’s favorite items. This tends to be the norm on superyacht charters as it allows for a much more tailored experience.

As well as covering food and beverages, an APA will also cover things like fuel and possibly dockage. It is usually charged at around 30% of the yacht’s base rate. According to luxury yacht brokers Northorp and Johnson , the average price paid by its customers for a week’s ‘plus expenses’ charter was around $152,000 in 2020, which would mean an APA of around $45,600 – not a small sum, so it’s definitely something to be aware of when selecting your vessel. 

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A third, less common charter is a ‘bareboat’ charter. This is a charter without a crew or provisions and only generally favored amongst experienced yachtsmen and women or those who can supply their own crew. 

[See also: How to Charter a Superyacht]

There are generally two types of charter: all-inclusive and ‘plus expenses’ / ©Burgess

Does size impact how much it will cost to charter a yacht?

The reputation of the crew, the age of the yacht and its design will all influence the price of your charter; however, the single biggest factor that will impact cost is likely to be the size: the bigger the yacht, the more you’re likely to pay. 

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For example, with leading yacht brokerage Burgess , a week’s charter in the Caribbean aboard the 163.3 ft Home starts at $245,000 . If you opt for the larger Laurentia , at 180.5 ft, the price starts at $450,000. Both yachts were built in 2017 by leading Dutch shipyard Heesen and have capacity for 12 guests, but there is over $200,000 difference in the price. Naturally, you can also expect a higher APA for a bigger ship. 

N ovice charterers might be surprised to learn that a larger yacht doesn’t automatically translate into a larger guest capacity. Most superyachts are capped at a 12 guest limit due to International Maritime Organization safety regulations.

Home is available for charter from Burgess from $245,000 per week /©Burgess

A week’s charter on board Laurentia starts at $450,000 / ©Burgess

Does the type of yacht impact the price?

The answer is yes, but to a lesser extent than size. There’s something for everyone when it comes to yachts: classic yachts (built between the 1920s and 1970s) allow you to experience old school glamour of a bygone era, whereas sportfishing yachts are nimble and offer a long-range to get you to the best fishing (or diving) spots.

Sailing yachts are a popular choice amongst boating enthusiasts, but by a long shot, the most popular charter yachts are motor yachts. These are typically what spring to mind when you picture a superyacht and (size-dependent) tend to be the most expensive type of yacht to charter, often being pricier to purchase, maintain and fuel. Explorer yachts are motor yachts designed to cope with the most extreme conditions – if you’re planning a luxury superyacht charter to Antarctica, for example, it’s likely to be aboard one of these.

Over the past decade, explorer yachts have skyrocketed in popularity amongst intrepid travelers looking for opulent adventure on the seven seas. A week onboard the world’s fastest explorer yacht, the 311.68 ft Bold , costs approximately $964,300. This also makes it one of the world’s most expensive yachts to charter, in line with what you’ll pay for chartering the crème de la crème of the more ‘conventional’ superyachts typically seen on the French Riviera, like the ultra-glamorous O’Pari . A week’s charter onboard the 312 ft O’Pari comes complete with custom artwork and DJ booth costs from $1.1m.

[See also: The Best Luxury Yacht Builders in the World]

Charter Bold from Burgess for approximately $964,300 per week / ©Guillaume Plisson

Is chartering during certain months more expensive than others?

The time of year will impact your charter price. In yachting, there are two main seasons – summer and winter – and chartering during these peak times will push up the cost. The summer season runs from May to October, with peak rates in July and August. The winter season runs from November to April, with peak rates over the Christmas holidays and into New Year. Location also dictates the price of a charter; for example, Caribbean charters are costlier from December to March whereas Mediterranean charters are at their priciest during the summer months. 

What about expenses, gratuities and other unexpected costs?

Not even a Mediterranean jellyfish has the power to sting an unassuming first-time sailor like end-of-trip expenses. 

As mentioned previously, with ‘plus expenses’ charters your APA is paid before you set sail. However, a detailed list of outgoings will be kept by the ship and if your expenses surpass the amount of your APA, you will be asked to cover the amount for the remaining charter. Saying this, it does work both ways – any unspent APA will be refunded to you. 

On both all-inclusive and ‘plus expenses’ charters, crew gratuities are not included in the yacht charter price. If you were happy with the service, the going rate is around 15 to 20% of the charter cost, so do keep this in mind. 

Depending on your charter agreement, docking fees, a charge you pay to keep your yacht in a marina or harbor overnight, may or may not be included in the cost. These can vary greatly depending on the location, time of year and the size of your yacht. Expect to pay the highest docking fees on the Mediterranean during high season with Capri and St Tropez commanding some of the steepest premiums.

Your itinerary can also affect the price, as traveling to places like Antarctica and the Arctic Circle require expensive permits. Certain destinations will also charge tax and VAT, so it is sensible to check with your broker if you’re keen on getting a cost breakdown before your trip. 

[See also: The Best Superyachts to Charter This Summer]

Emma Al-Mousawi

Latest in luxury, the explorer.

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• Apr 13, 2022

How Much is a Yacht Charter? 3 Main Costs Explained

Updated: Jul 14, 2022

Chartering a yacht can bring a lot of enjoyment and is one of the best ways to enjoy being out on the water for a variety of events and celebrating special occasions . Coordinating your charter and estimating the true cost of your excursion can be a challenging exercise. There are a variety of ways brokers and charters structure their fees and additional costs that we will break down while noting things that you should consider. We will also describe how rates can vary if you are looking to charter a yacht for a few hours, on a per-day basis, a long weekend, or more than a week.

As a general rule, the longer you commit to being on the yacht, think a week or more, then the more your rate for the yacht will decrease, but note that this is just for the boat . The primary factor driving the discounts is that the owner is securing more usage of the vessel and will happily discount the rate, but other costs will still increase for you. This brings us to the first major additional fee impacting the final cost of a yacht charter; the cost of operating.

1. Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA)

Get ready to put down your credit card because selecting a yacht for your needs is just half of the journey and cost as you see in the below breakdown. Charters often change you all or a portion of the costs they intend to incur for operating the yacht. Not only are you charged for each item, but you pay upfront in the form of APA. This payment advancement is established to hold funds that will cover operating costs and the APA typically starts at around 30% to 40% of the cost to reserve the boat. The APA covers just about anything that goes into operating the yacht during your charter. It's important to note that the 30%-40% hold may cover all costs, but if you go over expect additional charges or if under the APA hold, a return of unused funds.

Below are the main items that typically fall under APA and an estimated cost per day for a 70-foot yacht accompanying 12 guests.

Fuel - $150 to $400 per day

This will vary depending on your itinerary, engines and fuel type, running efficiency, as well as the actual cost of fuel. Expect fuel prices at the dock to be 10% to 35% higher than at a traditional gas station. Diesel fuel, most common on larger boats, tends to be marked up less than gasoline. For a standard day charter, the boat typically will be out cruising for around two to three hours each day if staying local.

Food and Drinks - $50 to $150 per day per guest

Your food and drink budget can add up quickly depending on your tastes, how many meals you are eating on board, and of course the number of guests. If you are eating three meals plus snacks on board then the cost will increase vs two meals and snacks. Prefer steak, lobster, and fine wine to sandwiches, pizza, and beer, then expect the price to increase even more. One other thing to note is that if your requests require specialty shopping then there may be a fee added to the total food and beverage costs.

Chef - $250 to $750 per day

Some chefs will include their fee into a cost per person, which also includes the cost of the food. However, there are some chefs who will come on board to prepare the meals you've chosen and then charge a flat fee per day or meal for their time. Some celebrity chefs, think Top Chef contestants, will demand a higher fee, but we've estimated this cost without the celebrity factor.

Entertainment and Amenities - $200+ per day

Depending on the size of the yacht, it may include a tender, jet ski, water pads, slide, stand-up paddle boards, SEABOBS, flyboards, snorkel gear, kayaks, and inflatable islands, or more with their standard boat fee. With all of the options available, it's unlikely that most yachts will be able to have all of these items available for your charter. This is why most charters offer add-on options which are then charged as an additional cost and deducted from the APA. Entertainment such as live music, DJs, wine tastings, seaplane tour, photographers/videographers, and more is most likely another add-on, and the cost is a pass-through deducted from the APA. Internet and other utilities may be charged back to you as well.

Harbor and Docking Fees - $100 to $225 per day

Planning on visiting a different marina or making a few stops throughout your charter? Prepare to pay any harbor fees and/or docking fees. Some harbors, not as common in the U.S. for recreational charters, charge visiting vessels a harbor fee which is used to maintain the harbor. If the yacht you are on spends any time at the dock of a marina there is oftentimes a fee based on the yacht length and time spent at the dock. Reservations may be required but some marinas are making it easier to book and manage through services like Snag-A-Slip . Note that this should only apply if you are booking multi-day charters.

Delivery and Pickup Fees

If you want to be picked up or dropped off at a location outside of your charter's marina, there oftentimes is a cost associated that covers the yacht's time, crew, and fuel. This can vary based on a variety of factors, but if you want to be dropped off at a different location to end your charter and the return trip back is two hours, expect to pay $1,000 to $2,000 for the empty leg trip the charter makes back to its homeport.

Tip - $1,000 to $1,750 per day

Most charters strongly encourage tips for the captain and crew who are taking care of things before, during, and after your charter. How much you tip the crew of a yacht is dependent on the level of service and your satisfaction. It's completely discretionary, but usually expected and ends up being 15% to 20% of the charter cost. This can be deducted from your APA if there are funds remaining or added on at the end of your trip.

Captain and Crew*

The asterisk* is here because most characters include the basic crew required to operate the yacht in their base boat charge, typically a captain and one deckhand. See point number three below for potential additional costs .

2. Charter Duration

There are many charter operations that only offer half-day or full-day charters. This is due to some complexities that arise once you mix in overnight charters. Overnights require a 24-hour crew, hotel-like amenities, and a few other logistical items. As a general rule, if you book a longer charter, then the less expensive it is on a daily basis. Charters may offer multi-day discounts because of the reduced prep work, cleaning, onboarding, offboarding, and the most important factor is that the yacht is actually working and making money compared to sitting empty at the dock. Some charters will offer between a 15% and 40% discount on the yacht/boat fee for longer bookings. This is because, as mentioned above, most of the operational costs are still passed through to you in the APA, so adding days to a charter doesn't increase the operational costs because that cost is passed on to you!

3. Number of Guests - $200 to $400 per day per crew

Most charters have a cap of 12 guests due to various regulations of the charter business. When charters quote you the yacht/boat fee, it typically comes with a captain and one crew member. If you are hosting up to 12 guests, then it will indicate to the charter if additional crew members are needed. For instance, if you add on specific water activities, it may require a dedicated crew member just to manage the usage of those add-ons. If there is a high demand for food and beverage, that may also warrant another dedicated crew member for prep, serving, and cleanup. If there are a total of 12 guests, the odds are that the yacht charter may require a minimum of three total crew members, not including the captain. The additional two crew members are not free and their costs will be added to your bill. Yacht charter crews are paid anywhere from $200 to $400 per day plus tips at the conclusion of the charter.

As an example, let's say you are trying to figure out how much it costs to charter a yacht for three days on a 70-foot yacht for 12 people. There are some other factors to consider such as the specific type of yacht, age of the yacht, location, and time of year, so use this as a rough guideline.

The daily breakdown for traditional charters is approximately $10,700 per day. Artizia Yachts is a unique and exclusive membership program growing across the U.S. and eventually overseas. There are three different membership options that can cut the cost of charters in half while still providing a private and luxurious all-inclusive experience. Membership spots are limited for each yacht in order to allow easy booking and availability to members.

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How Much Does it Cost to Charter a Boat

12th may 2021 by samantha wilson.

Chartering a boat is a dream holiday. Whether you choose a bareboat sailing vacation, a crewed catamaran or a luxury superyacht charter you and your travelling companions will be treated to a week of salty sea air, stunning views and plenty of adventures.

But the question on most first time charterers’ lips is how much does it cost to charter a boat? It is a valid and important question, and one which will determine what type and size of yacht you can charter, what level of service and luxury you can expect, and which location you can cruise in. All of these factors can mean your yacht charter could cost from $1,500 for a bareboat charter to $10,000 per week on smaller crewed sailing yachts and catamarans, up to $150,000+ per week on the most luxurious motor superyachts.

What is included in the charter price?

There are two types of yacht charters, all-inclusive and ‘plus expenses’ charters . The base rate for both will include the rental of the yacht and the crew, whilst the all-inclusive, as the name suggests, will also include all of your food and drinks, water sports and fuel. Even with an all-inclusive price, dockage and any taxes are added on afterwards. It is more common to find all-inclusive prices on smaller yacht charters, where the boat has just a captain or a small crew, although it is also possible on larger luxury yachts too. All-inclusive rates will be based on the number of guests onboard as this obviously affects the amount of food that will be required. So when looking at the figures of how much does a small yacht cost to charter, the number you are quoted will usually be the final price you pay. 

On larger yachts, it is more common to have an account known as an Advanced Provisioning Allowance , or APA, for all additional expenses. It is generally calculated at around 20-35% of the charter fee and covers food, drinks, excursions and fuel. The captain will keep receipt of everything you spend and at the end of the charter provide you with a balance or summary of expenditures. 

Does the price include tax?

Taxes will be added to many yacht charters, depending on which country the charter embarks from. In the Mediterranean, crewed yacht charters are subject to Value Added Tax which is usually around 20%. In the Caribbean and Florida for example, taxes tend to be lower (around 5-7%) or, in the case of countries such as the British Virgin Islands, St Barths and the Grenadines, not charged at all. 

Do I need to pay crew gratuities?

One last cost consideration is the crew gratuities which are of course at your discretion. On smaller yachts where you may just have a captain, this cost will be considerably lower, but keep in mind that 10-20% is common depending on where in the world you’re chartering (less in the Mediterranean and more in the Caribbean for example) which on a large superyacht could amount to tens of thousands of dollars/euros. It is customary to give your tip to the captain who will distribute it amongst the crew. 

Can a broker help me get the best deal?

Absolutely, all agents and brokers will have access to the same prices for the charter of a particular yacht. Having said that, not all brokers benefit from the 20+ years of experience in the yachting industry our Rightboat brokers have. Over these years they have forged and maintained close relationships with central agents and operators to source the best yachts at the best prices. We rarely if ever end up having to charge a client the advertised price for a yacht charter. Brokers are also invaluable in securing you the best yacht charter because of their intimate knowledge of the industry, the yachts, their crews and cruising grounds. The most important part of any charter is to be paired with the right boat for your group’s needs. Getting that formula right will ensure that the charter runs flawlessly. Brokers are also able to negotiate contracts on your behalf, arrange transport to and from the yacht and answer all of your questions, whether it’s about the Advanced Provisioning Allowance , or a local restaurant recommendation. 

Are there special deals to be found?

Whilst we’ve said that there is a set price to rent a yacht for a week and brokers can’t haggle on those figures, that isn’t to say that there aren’t ways to save money. One of the best ways to save up to 20% off the price of a charter is to travel in the shoulder season. As with most travel, the shoulder season is the period of time in between the high season and the low season where prices start to come down. The weather will still be favourable and the restaurants, bars and attractions will still be open, yet it’s considered the winding down season. In fact, shoulder season offers many benefits apart from price reductions including quieter beaches, less crowded destinations and more balmy weather conditions. In the Mediterranean for example, shoulder season is considered May/June and September/October either side of the high season months of July and August. Book Sailing holidays to Eastern Mediterranean Countries or Western Mediterranean Countries

Can I share the cost of a yacht charter?

Absolutely. Because chartering a yacht has a base price, the price per couple or per person can work out extremely reasonably when you compare it to paying for multiple hotel bedrooms. If you imagine, for example, that an all-inclusive 3-cabin, crewed yacht could cost $30,000 for a week, split between three couples that’s $10,000 per couple or $5,000 per person. It is worth pointing out here however, that a bigger yacht doesn’t necessarily mean more guests are allowed on board to share the cost with – even the largest of superyachts are capped at 12 guests. 

Is chartering a yacht cheaper than other luxury vacation experiences?

When comparing the prices of a crewed charter to a 5-star resort, it quickly becomes clear that you are getting excellent value for money . Not only do you get the privilege of total privacy, the opportunity to choose where you go and when, and the food cooked exactly to your tastes, but when you factor in food, drink and activities the cost can actually be lower too. A yacht will have a certain number of cabins to accommodate its guests, and the cost is for all of those guests. Compare that to a hotel, where rooms have to be paid for separately, the cost can be considerably higher. As an example, a 24-metre-long motor yacht that can accommodate 10 guests in four cabins costs around $27,000. Add on 25% for the APA, and you’re looking at approximately $33,750 for all food, drinks, activities and excursions. A luxury hotel on the other hand is upwards of €2,000 per person per week and therefore a base room rate of $20,000 before any food, drinks or activities. 

Chartering a yacht is a holiday like no other, and far from being limited to those with high-end budgets, it can be a cost-effective option too. At Rightboat.com we offer hundreds of yacht charters all over the world, from luxury superyachts to bareboat sailing yachts. We are on hand to guide you through your chartering journey, and to connect you with the very best brokers in the industry. If you have more questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch, or check out our FAQs. 

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Written By: Samantha Wilson

Samantha Wilson has spent her entire life on and around boats, from tiny sailing dinghies all the way up to superyachts. She writes for many boating and yachting publications, top charter agencies, and some of the largest travel businesses in the industry, combining her knowledge and passion of boating, travel and writing to create topical, useful and engaging content.

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Price Breakdown: How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Yacht?

Do you find yourself daydreaming about fruity drinks on white sand beaches, surrounded by crystal-clear ocean as far as the eye can see?

It’s probably time to take a vacation.

Booking a yacht charter is the perfect way to relax. Why not take a trip to indulge your every whim in the tropical paradise you’ve been craving?

We can make it happen for you.

You’re probably wondering how much this little excursion will set you back. The truth is, the cost to charter a yacht varies depending on a few factors.

The Cost to Charter a Yacht by Type of Vessel

All of our vessels are sleek, modern, and high-end luxury yachts. However, they do vary as far as size and onboard amenities — that’s where the price difference comes into play.

We have more intimate boats available from $844.21, like the 38′ Lotus Lagoon catamaran out of Hawaii. This beauty carries six guests and comes equipped with paddle board gear, snorkeling equipment, and complimentary beverages and snacks.

If you want to bask on the bow of a bigger boat, you might find something like our California-based 108′ Monte Fino is more up your alley. Flat screen televisions, plush staterooms, a jacuzzi, and spacious lounging areas are all available for up to twelve guests on charters from $7,937.49.

The Cost to Charter a Yacht by Trip Length

The length of your trip also affects the cost to charter a yacht. For example, the base price of the Lotus charter mentioned above is $796, which includes two hours of sailing. If you want to sail for three hours, the price will increase by half to $1,194, and go up accordingly for every hour you add on.

What if you want to go out for a few days, or even a few weeks? We offer multi-day charters and excursions to many exciting destinations for a base price of $13,000 per day, excluding gratuity and any provisions or catering.

You could putter around exploring the Channel Islands for a few days, or you could go even further. Why not discover the best of Hawaii’s hidden gems on a week-long coastal cruise? You can head to Greece, Italy, Mexico, or wherever the wind may take you.

Other Factors Affecting the Cost to Charter a Yacht

Say you fall in love with a particular vessel, located in Marina del Rey, but you want to cruise around San Diego. We totally understand. We’ll move it for you, which will incur an additional fee.

Which type of sailing you want to do will also affect the cost to charter a yacht. Base prices listed are for sailing in the harbor. For coastal sailing, an extra hourly fee will be added to your rate.

Keep in mind that Luxury Liners operates in the spirit of complete transparency. When you book a yacht charter with us, there are no hidden fees. Everything is displayed before you pay, and the price you see is the price you get.

Bring Down the Cost to Charter a Yacht by Booking with Us

Our mission is to bring you the most high-end vessels at the best prices. We’re ready to help you book your dream charter today.

Want to see what we have to offer? Have a look at our yachts page to see our prices and learn more.

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How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Yacht? (Price Chart)

Yachts are luxurious boats you can rent for the weekend for the required price. Typically, a yacht charter cost depends on its length and desired amenities. The advantage of this option is in absolute freedom, so rigid commercial cruise ship timings and crowd won’t restrict your enjoyment.

There are two possibilities with such a choice. You can enjoy privacy or pick out the yachts with the crew dedicated to your needs. In both cases, you will have an unforgettable sailing time but be prepared that such a pleasure will cost you a lot. Let’s see.

What Yacht Charter Is?

Yacht charter is actually renting an owner’s yacht for an agreed period, typically a week. An average yacht charter can cost you about $12,500 per week in the high season, while prices are lower in the low season.

You can find a comfortable yacht for $10,000 per week in that period. You will have full access to all available amenities while sailing, like:

• Swimming pool
• Water toys, such as equipment for water skiing, wakeboarding , or snorkeling

You can charter a yacht anywhere worldwide. The only condition is to find the port and yacht type you want to rent. Most owners will provide an experienced captain and crew, and it is practically impossible renting a yacht longer than 50 feet (15 m) to sail on your own.

The yacht’s crew will care for all your needs during charters, including ferrying, providing meals, or washing laundry.

If you want to be a captain , you need to have the Yachtmaster Ocean license , but some countries require the equivalent license. In that case, you should find a smaller yacht or a possibly bigger one located in Croatia.

However, the first step is to determine the yacht type suitable for your needs that you want to rent.

Crewed Catamaran

Popular Catamaran is suitable for group sailing and offers enough space, comfort, luxury, and privacy. You can charter this boat type when looking for a family vacation at an affordable price.

You should take advantage of Catamarans convenience and discover beautiful bays while dining close to the water. Modern fittings and experienced crews will offer the feeling of being on a luxurious yacht, but with the freedom of a sailing yacht.

Crewed Sailing yacht

This yacht is a comfortable option to enjoy sailing surrounded by luxury. Sailing yachts excellently head upwind but are suitable only for experienced sailors.

Crewed Motor yacht

This option is for you when you know the exact location to visit and have a precise itinerary in advance. So, this boat will allow you to get there while spending relaxing time.

Crewed Superyacht

Superyacht offers the holiday like in a 5-star-hotel. The cabins are comfortable, often with hot tubs and an exercise room. Plus, you have internet access and luxury water toys at your disposal at any moment.

Such a charter vacation will cost you at least $15,500 per week for a 65.5 feet (20 m) long yacht. A maximum price can go to approximately $3,400,000 per week for 450 feet (135 m) long super luxury yacht.

Factors That Affect Yacht Charter Costs

Yachts are almost always privately owned, so yacht charter costs primarily depend on the owner’s demand. That is a reason for the wide price range in this field, but some general frameworks still exist and are related to several factors.

The yacht production year, design, brand, water toys, crew reputation, and the previous owner will significantly affect the yacht charter costs. Boats with a reputation as the most luxurious or largest and those whose former owners are celebrities will be more pricey.

For instance, the iconic charter yacht ‘Highlander’ has higher rates for so-called fame value since it hosted many celebrities, including Elizabeth Taylor and Prince Charles.

However, the yacht size will have the most significant impact on the renting price. Simply said, the bigger yachts will cost you more.

For instance, a week’s charter will cost you approximately $20,000 to $80,000 when you pick out a 65 to 80 feet (20 – 24.5 m) yacht. On the other hand, renting an 80 to 100 feet (24.5 – 30.5 m) long model is more expensive, and its price will be $80,000 and $120,000.

As you can expect, a weekly charter rate for over 100 feet (30.5 m) long superyacht is at least $100,000 and often more expensive. Renting a super-luxury mega yacht longer than 200 feet (61 m) goes from at least $300,000 to over $1,000,000.

In rare cases, you can find a charter fee discount offer. It is always time-limited, typically when a particular boat has a gap in the charter calendar due to an unexpected cancellation.

Destination

As you can expect, the charter destination plays a significant part in charter costs. For example, Mediterranean and Bahamas yacht charters prices are more competitive, while places without large charter fleets will be more costly.

Typically, all charters outside the USVI and BVI will be expensive since cruising permits and taxes for remote destinations are higher. Finally, sailing to Alaska can be pricey since renting is available only for half a year because of the harsh weather. You will probably need to make a reservation in advance.

Trip duration

In most cases, the yacht charter is for seven to ten days on average, but sometimes owners accept a shorter duration. In such rare cases, a minimum stay is five days.

The trip length directly affects the charter costs. If the primary price included two hours of sailing, you should count on a 50% higher rate when deciding to use the yacht for three hours.

Be aware that the yacht charter price won’t go down for longer holidays, so you won’t get a discount and pay less when renting the boat for a longer period. The price for a week is the same whether you rent a boat for a week, two weeks, or a month.

Yacht charter prices vary depending on the season, like most other touristic services. Therefore, you can expect higher rental costs during the high season. However, you should be careful with dates since they are not the same for all destinations.

For instance, high seasons in the Caribbean are New Year’s Eve, Christmas, and all February. On the other hand, you should count on the highest prices in July and August when you plan to sail in the Mediterranean.

The yacht charter rates are often higher during famous festivals, carnivals, and shows. The most expensive destinations based on dates include:

• Olympic destination
• The Film Festival in Cannes
• Grand Prix in Monaco
• America’s Cup

If you only want to use a yacht during your vacation, you should plan sailing carefully. Sometimes, only a difference of one week can significantly affect the charter costs.

In other words, you can rent a boat the first low season week when the weather conditions are still the same as the previous high season week. However, it will cost you 15% to 30%, or approximately $6,000 to $30,000 less, depending on the yacht length.

The number of passengers

The group size is a primary thing you should consider before renting a yacht since it will directly influence the yacht type you need.

For instance, a monohull boat is ideal for a small family, but a group of 8 to 10 will need at least a catamaran. Finally, you should pick out a large yacht when planning a big party for many people.

All-inclusive or plus expenses

1. all-inclusive.

It is a complete service you can get for your money. In this case, the rates include:

• Accompanying crew
• Meals and snacks
• Open standard bar drinking
• Onboard watersports equipment

Be aware that there are some limitations regarding excessive consumption as well as consuming champagnes, extraordinary brands, and vintage wines.

A standard crew gratuity of 15 to 20% of the charter rate is excluded from the all-inclusive charter. Finally, you will need to pay separately for the final cleaning, insurance , dockage, and necessary taxes.

All-inclusive is an excellent option for renting monohull charters, catamarans, and yachts under 80 feet (24.5 m).

2. Plus expenses

This service typically includes:

• Yacht with the crew
• Yacht insurance

In this case, you should pay for all operating expenses at cost, including:

• Food and drink
• Consumables
• Communications
• Dockage, cruising taxes, port fees, and port agent fees

Typically, the owner will charge these extra costs from an Advance Provisioning Allowance , increasing the yacht charter fee by 30 to 35%.

It is the most often option on motor yachts, higher-end sailing yachts, and superyachts since the overall costs significantly vary, depending on the number of passengers and their demands.

This term includes many different equipment and amenities, like:

• Paddleboard
• Underwater sea bob
• High-powered smaller boat (yacht tender)
• Personal submarine

Some super luxury yachts can also come with:

Since the primary price doesn’t include these toys, you need to pay for the required ones.

Other factors

The owner will always recommend you to consider paying for optional extras, like:

The outboard engine – It will cost you €80 (approximately $90) to the charter cost but save you from rowing ashore in case of an accident.

Safety net – It is necessary equipment if you sail with children, which will cost you €80 (approximately $90) for one.

Adding crew – Paying for a cook or hostess can be convenient for a private cruise if you can afford it. That satisfaction will cost you €100 (approximately $110) a day, but keep in mind that the chef’s daily allowance is slightly higher.

Skipper – A professional help is always welcome, so you should consider hiring a skipper to find the best routes and places worth visiting.

Food costs for the crew – You should need to include the food for the crew on the paying list.

Yacht chartering is an excellent way to vacation and discover exotic islands and beautiful waterfront towns. You should pick out a boat of the proper size and a reputable yacht broker to help you with the organization. It is an expensive but ultimate pleasure you will remember for life.

Related posts:

• 10 Best Yacht Manufacturers In USA

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• Yacht charter cost: the ultimate guide to saving money
• Sailing Hub
• Sailing Tips

A yacht charter cost may seem daunting, but there are actually many ways to save money and find affordable yacht holidays!

You may be wondering:

Can anyone have an exciting, exotic, fun, instagram-worthy sailing holiday without breaking the bank with a high yacht charter cost?

The answer: absolutely. But wait - Isn’t yachting only for super-rich people?

Luckily, no. Affordable yacht holidays are not a myth. You can find reasonable yacht charter prices that make amazing sailing holidays accessible to many! You just need to know how to find the best deals.

There are six main factors that influence the final yacht charter cost, and if you’re savvy - you can save a lot of money!

Learn more about saving money on your yacht charter cost.

• Boat type 

Boat size 

Charter type, keep an eye out for promotion periods, sign up for our email list, seek out other discounts, check what is included, during your charter, how much does it cost to charter a yacht around the world.

• ​​​​​​​How Yacht4Less does affordable yacht holidays?

6 Factors that affect your yacht charter cost

There are a number of things that come into play with yacht charter prices. But the good news is that many of these elements are things that you can work to your advantage! 

Boat type  

If you’re looking for affordable yacht holidays, the type of yacht you choose can determine how much you’ll pay.

Sailboats are typically cheaper than motorboats, and past that the type of sailboat you choose also matters. Monohulls are a much more cost effective choice. At an average price of 400€/day, versus the 750€/day average price of a catamaran - you’re looking at saving around 2,500€ for a seven day charter if you go with a monohull instead of a catamaran. 

The bottom line: If you don’t need high-end luxury finishes and a ton of space, opt for the monohull. You can still have fabulous and affordable yacht holidays with this classic sailboat design.

Keep on reading:   the differences between catamarans and monohulls

While it may seem obvious that bigger boats will be more expensive, it is one of the best ways to save money on your yacht charter cost.

A 34/35 ft. boat might go for about 2,000€/week, whereas a 40 footer might rent for about 3,200€/week for the same dates.

So if you need 3 berths, you’ll find a range of options between 34 ft. to 46 ft. They may all sleep the same amount of people, but have a different number of heads (bathrooms). By choosing the smaller length, just 5 ft. less, you can save around 1,000€/week. 

The bottom line: Many people overestimate how much space they really need. While a large kitchen and indoor living area may seem nice, you’ll probably be spending the majority of your time outside! Also - remember, when picking your yacht, what really counts is the number of berths and heads. Similar boats can have large rate differences depending on the length. If you’re willing to sacrifice a few feet, you can save yourself a pretty penny.

Another seemingly simple tip, but be advised that newer boats are typically more expensive than older boats.

Rates tend to drop the older the boat gets. While younger yachts might be shinier and more modern, it’s going to cost you. However, this is not the most important factor that goes into yacht charter prices. 

The bottom line: If you don’t need a fancy, state-of-the-art yacht, look for older, well-maintained boats that have lower rates. At Yacht4Less, however, we recommend renting a yacht not older than 5 years old when possible, as older boats are more likely to have a mechanical issue due to normal wear and tear, no matter how well maintained they are.

If  you can be flexible on the timing of your yacht charter then you can save a lot of money on your yacht charter cost and have a much more affordable yacht holiday. Because yacht charters are in much higher demand during summer months or periods of good weather, prices will spike dramatically during those times. For example, our sister company's 2015 built 40ft. sailing yacht will cost about 1,700€/week in the shoulder months of April and October. Then between July and August the price increases to about 3,200€/week, nearly doubling. 

The bottom line: Book the shoulder season to save up to 50% and still get the best of your destination. Also - the rate changes depending on the season are on a spectrum. It’s not just black and white, in-season prices or out-of-season. Oftentimes it’s on a sliding scale, and just booking a week or two outside of the traditional high-season can save you money! 

There are many different yacht charter types available, for example - bareboat , by-the-cabin , luxury crewed , or skippered charter , and depending on your needs you may be able to leverage that to find better yacht charter prices.

Bareboat and by-the-cabin are the most economical options. With crewed or skippered charters, you’ll have to pay extra for the staff and their meals. 

The bottom line:   For experienced sailors, you can save money by being your own skipper! Miss out on the added fee of professional crew and be the chef and the captain during your charter. If you need sailing expertise, you can just hire a skipper instead of a full crew to save some money. That way you get the help you need, without any extra frills. 

If you are just a single traveler or a couple, you could consider a by-the-cabin charter, where you’re effectively sharing the yacht.

If you go this route, you’ll only have to pay for your share, similar to a hotel room. If you're a bigger group, consider asking friends or family members to join you, then you can split the costs even more. 

Where you want to go can play a big role in the yacht charter cost. Usually the closer the destination, the cheaper your airfare to get there will be. Don’t pick far-off exotic locales if you’re trying to stay on a tight budget. 

You can also pick locations that have favorable exchange rates or lower costs in general.

Certain locations will have more opportunities to anchor for free in bays, coves, and other types of anchorages. For example, Greece has almost non-existent mooring fees while Italy and Croatia have more full-service marinas and will be more expensive.

The bottom line: Before booking check with your charter consultant for an estimate for fuel, mooring fees, etc.

Or do your own research about the estimated cost of provisioning and dining out in a specific country. It can be a trade-off sometimes though.

For example, Mallorca often has cheaper flights but marinas and cost-of-living there is more expensive than other locations. So make sure you weigh all the associated costs that you may encounter during your yacht charter to evaluate the true savings of one location versus another.

  5 tried and true tips for maximum savings

We at Yacht4Less are yachting-lovers and long-time industry veterans. Here are our best tips to keep your yacht charter cost down and have affordable yacht holidays:

Whether it is Black Friday, Christmas, or New Years, etc. there are often discounts offered throughout the year. It may differ each year, depending on what our charter partners offer, but we make sure to inform clients accordingly.

The   best way to learn about any available promotions is to sign up for our email list! Be the first to know about any special offers as soon as they’re up for grabs. 

Yacht4Less offers a number of other types of discounts as well.

If you’re booking far in advance, you may qualify for Early-Booking discounts. On the other hand, if you’re running late in booking, you might find some Last-Minute discounts.

These are great if you don’t have a particular destination in mind, as charter companies usually offer last-minute deals on cancellations or surplus inventory.

There are also Long-Term Booking discounts, where 2 week charters usually get an additional 5% discount and more reductions can be offered on longer duration charters. 

Lastly there’s Loyalty discounts. Yacht4Less always offers the best deals possible for all customers but repeaters and multi repeaters get a little bit extra (reductions wise or might get freebies such as a free SUP.  

Other than the boat price, the overall charter price includes obligatory and optional extras. Cost of obligatory extras (i.e. end cleaning, transit log, local taxes, charter pack) may be different between two boats, even if it includes the same things. 

Other items such as bed linen, towels and outboard engine, are sometimes included in the price and other times offered as optional extras at an additional cost.

When comparing two similar yachts/offers, you may be able to get more value by picking the boat that has more extras included and/or an overall lower cost of extras (obligatory and optional).

Avoid overnight moorings and free-swing in natural anchorages. In the BVI, a mooring ball may cost around $25 dollars a day, which you can save by anchoring out. 

Take advantage of your yachts’ fully equipped kitchen and split your meals (have some on board / some at restaurants ashore). You can also save by having pre-dinner cocktails aboard instead of paying restaurants high-markups. 

Invite friends to come with you and then to split the cost! Oftentimes a larger and more luxurious boat is cheaper than a smaller and older one when shared with more friends. It’s a win-win situation! 

Now that we have a better idea about the factors that shape the boat rental prices around the globe as well as some extra tips to save even more money, it's time to have some inspiration. Where can you set sail from? What are the boat rental rates this season? All this and much more at our detailed country guides below: Top Mediterranean destinations

• Sailing holidays in Greece
• Sailing holidays in Turkey
• Sailing holidays in Croatia
• Sailing holidays in Spain
• Sailing holidays in Italy
• Sailing holidays in Montenegro
• Sailing holidays in France
• Sailing holidays in Malta

Top Carribean destinations

• Sailing holidays in St. Martin
• Sailing holidays in BVI
• Sailing holidays in the Bahamas
• Sailing holidays in Antigua
• Sailing holidays in Guadeloupe
• Sailing holidays in Martinique
• Sailing holidays in St. Lucia
• Sailing holidays in Grenada
• Sailing holidays in St. Vincent
• Sailing holidays in Puerto Rico  

Browse all 60+ destinations

​​​​​​​ How Yacht4Less does affordable yacht holidays?

So, how much does a yacht charter cost? 

The Answer? 

Whatever your budget permits. 

Overall it is very possible to have an affordable yacht holiday if you follow our advice to keep yacht charter costs down. All you need to do is pick the right boat, destination, charter type, time of year, and book with Yacht4Less for the best promotions and prices available! 

Yacht4Less is dedicated to providing the highest quality, value, and price for your sailing holiday. We believe everyone should be able to have affordable yacht holidays and we offer luxury sailing experiences at the best possible prices.

If you are thinking about your next sailing adventure, we are happy to help you organise your yachting holiday.

We guarantee first-class customer service before, during and after the booking of your holiday!

Get a free & non-binding quote

How Much Sailboats Cost On Average (380+ Prices Compared)

Turns out that owning a sailboat is pretty affordable. OK, it isn't cheap, but it can absolutely be done on a budget. In this article, I'll show you exactly what to expect.

Sure, super yachts are expensive, but so is everything super (except for maybe supermarkets). But a modest, used sailboat can be as cheap as $2,500 and an additional $1,400 per year.

It may come as a surprise to you that you can get a decent sailboat for as little as $1,500 on Craigslist.

Average sailboat costs at a glance

We've compared thousands of listings, so you don't have to. If you just want the ballpark figures, here they are:

The average price of new sailboats is $425,000 ($127,000 to $821,000). The average price of used sailboats is $278,000 ($67,000 to $555,000). Maintenance costs are on average $2,000 - $3,000 per year, and the average total annual cost is $3,000 to $7,000.

Of course the price of a sailboat depends on our choices. We decide whether sailing is a rich man's game, or actually a very good holiday investment. (It beats driving to a bungalow park for sure - both cost-wise and the experience itself.)

How Much To Charter a Superyacht? (Less Than You Think)

Why you should trust us These figures are based on our latest research which was last updated September 26th 2023 . We do this research every year, giving us very accurate numbers and clear insight into the trend of sailboat prices. We've literally compared thousands of sailboat listings over the years, and we've done so methodically. The research is done by our researcher Tay, who is an engineer by trade.

This will be a long article because there are so many aspects to cover. I'd like to spend some time exploring the costs of actually buying the boat. Then I want to go into recurring costs , like mooring, maintenance, and insurance.

To really drive home what you're getting into , I'll give four real-life examples. These examples include every expense as a separate line-item. And we'll go over them line-by-line together.

Then I'll share our exact research results with you . This will include all our numbers: new vs. used, average price per foot, and much more. These are extremely detailed numbers (you don't have to read this if you don't want to).

At the end of the article, we'll discuss why a boat doesn't just cost money: she can actually make you some if you wanted.

• A used family week-ender with a small cabin will cost roughly $30,000 (all-in for the first year).
• If you dream of sailing around the world, expect to spend around $100,000.
• New sailboats on average cost twice as much as used boats.
• Maintenance cost are 5-10% of the boat's value per year. Docking costs are roughly $800 - $2,500 per year.
• Sailboat prices have gone up 30% this year.

On this page:

Average sailboat cost: 2023 summary, examples of popular sailboats, and how much they cost, what does it cost to buy a sailboat, what does it cost to own a sailboat, make or save some money, related questions.

Before we really get into it, I first want to give you the quick rundown. So I've summarized our research for you.

Buying a sailboat

Small boats are up to 30 foot long . They'll be very capable and great for solo sailors or small families who want to go on day trips, or short week-end trips on inland waters. Some of them will have cabins and sleeping quarters, although small.

Medium boats are between 30 and 50 foot long . They'll host larger parties and will be more suited for longer trips, coastal sailing, or even bluewater cruising. Sailboat length isn't necessarily the most important feature for that, though.

Large boats are 50 foot and up . This is proper yacht territory, and they'll be a lot more luxurious, and also exponentially more expensive.

If you buy via a broker, you typically get more reliable boats, but also pay more. If you buy off of Craigslist, you get a fat discount, but there are more lemons on there too.

You could hire a boat surveyor who will inspect the boat before you buy it (much like when you buy a house). Those surveys are not very expensive and can be worth your money.

Owning a sailboat

There are a lot of costs involved with simply owning a boat. The biggest expenses will be docking and maintenance.

Those two alone will account for roughly 80% of your yearly expenses.

• Maintenance : 5-10% of the boat's value
• Docking : $800-$2,500 per year on average, depeding on location

If we want to know what we're getting ourselves into, we should know every expense to the dot.

Below, we'll go over four very different case studies. I'm hoping one of these will relate to your specific situation. It'll show you what to expect and how to budget for your purchase.

The four sailboat case studies

• What does it cost if you want to keep your boat in good shape and have a good sailing experience? - aka: most people
• What does it cost if you ONLY spend the absolute minimum amount to keep her floating?
• If I want to sail the world on a budget, what's the absolute minimum?
• If sailing is more of a status thing to you, how much money COULD you spend?

There are a lot of great boats out there for a good price and there are also some boats that are so expensive (or so cheap), it's not even fun to look at them.

But one thing's for sure: there are plenty of boats available, and even if you're on a very tight budget, you could absolutely still make it work. Sailing in and of itself is actually not that expensive: wind is free, water is free, boats can be cheap - if you're willing to look around a bit. It's all the little extras that add up quickly.

Listed below are 4 boats that make great beginner boats. Since more than 80% of all boats that are bought are second-hand, I'll use the prices of used boats I found on Craigslist.

If you want to know exactly where the numbers come from, don't worry, I'll explain them after the 4 examples.

1. Island Packet 26' for stressless weekends on the lake

The one-time costs are $24,860 Your total recurring costs are $5,650 per year, or $471 per month

Let's say you're like me and most other people and just want a nice boat without too much hassle. So you pay people for complex maintenance. You do the required maintenance and save up for future repairs. You do a little yourself, which saves you a couple of hundred of bucks a year. You also join a (cheap) sailing club to learn how to not trash the boat. You get the right trailer, and you save up some money for future repairs. You don't want to buy a bad boat, so you pay a fair purchase price

One-Time Costs:

Recurring costs:, 2. extreme low budget catalina 22'.

Ok, I'm very interested in how cheap you could actually go (in theory). Is it do-able to buy a very cheap sailboat and just keep her afloat, never change sails, and only pay for maintenance that is absolutely necessary to not sink?

In this scenario, I don't care about speed, so I don't change sails. I certainly won't join a sailing club, and I try to save some money on the marina by boondocking. I also happen to live in a cheap state registration and tax-wise.

Docking costs can get out of hand For an average sailboat, depending on your area and wishes, up to $5,000/year . Read everything about docking costs

I try to pay as little as possible for the boat itself (and I've actually found a Catalina 22 for $2,250 on Craigslist today!). I don't save up for rigging and hardware (tomorrows' worries). I try to get an extra 2 years out of my bottom paint and I only do the essential repairs, and I do them myself. But because I saved so much on the purchase, this little boat needs a lot of maintenance.

Luckily, I have time on my hands and know my way around engines and rigging, so I do all of it myself (with the help of YouTube).

I don't bother with winterizing my boat, I'll just sail somewhere warm. Oh, and I'll use the engine as little as possible to save on gas.

Will your boat be happy? Definitely not, but your wallet will be (for now). Can it be done? It's optimistic, but yes, I think it can be done. But you have to be mechanically inclined, and pretty creative.

The one-time costs are $2,428 Your total recurring costs are $1,380 per year, or $115 per month

Recurring Costs

3. low budget 35' ocean cruiser for traveling the world.

If you dream of crossing oceans, you need a comfortable ride. Usually, most sailors pick a boat that's between 32' - 50' for two person ocean cruising. Anything under 32' gets pretty uncomfortable in high waves, although it can be done.

But this is also the range that gets expensive - quickly . So if we're on a tight budget, but also need a good and reliable boat: how much will it cost?

The boat will cost you $35,000. For this price, I've seen a beautiful 1983 wooden cutter (by Robert Tucker), multiple Beneteau Oceanis from '88 - '89, multiple Bavarias ... plenty of solid choices on the second-hand market here.

In this example, you don't join any sailing clubs (I assume you're pretty experienced if you want to cross oceans). You also don't winterize (you're sailing the Caribbean by now). No trailer, as you won't haul it out of the water any time soon.

You do pay a fair price for the boat because you don't want any surprises during your Tour du Monde. In need of a lot of bottom paint , since you're in saltwater most of the time. It's also a good idea to invest in at least SOME navigation equipment, so for $500 I've added a simple but capable GPS chartplotter and compass.

You can get a cheap but reliable chartplotter and compass for less than $500 - in total. If you want to learn more, head over to the recommended gear section .

The one-time costs are $37,590 Your total recurring costs are $5,425 per year, or $452 per month

4. Powerful 40' Yacht (and everything that goes with it)

Let's say you're in the game for the fame. What does it cost me to own a grande yacht with all luxuries (and costs) that go with it?

I join an expensive sailing club, hire pros that maintain the thing beautifully, and I also pay for winterization, the best trailer I can find. I replace my sails and running rigging every 5 years - since speed matters to me. Because she's my pride, I paint her every year. I spend an additional 500 bucks a year on special soaps and waxes.

I want a prime mooring location, so I pay a premium. I also get a small boat to hang from the large boat, to get to shore more quickly.

The one-time costs are $166,400 Your total recurring costs are $15,150 per year, or $1,263 per month

There are a couple of important factors that determine how much money you end up spending.

• Size - length determines mooring costs, insurance, amount of paint on your hull, literally everything gets more expensive with every foot of length
• New vs. used - of course, it makes all the difference whether you buy new or used. Typically, the price of a 25-year old used sailboat vs. a comparable new one is 3-4 times lower ($60,000 vs $200,000).

With used sailboats, I find that the price generally increases rapidly from 30 feet onwards

It's the same with new sailboats - or actually, it keeps increasing with every extra couple of feet. The reason is that as the boat gets bigger, it also gets more luxurious (upholstery, finishing, equipment).

The average price of a new sailboat per foot in USD:

• under 30 ft: $3,217 per ft
• 30 - 50 ft: $7,625 - $11,128 ft
• over 50 ft: $14,927 - $78,033 per ft

On average, second-hand sailboats go at 1/3 - 1/4 of the cost of a new boat:

• under 30 ft: $1,773 per ft
• 30 - 50 ft: $6,473 per ft
• over 50 ft: $10,091 - $36,889 per ft

If this is too much for you, you could always rent a boat instead. I recommend chartering. You can get great sailboats at great prices. Check out my charter recommendation here .

Cost of buying a sailboat

Price of new sailboats.

I've looked at the prices of thousands of yachts (really) on one of the largest yacht marketplaces in the world (- not manually, don't worry: with the help of their search function). This is what I came up with:

Source: Yachtworld.com Q3 2023

The price of new sailboats ranges from roughly $1,765 - $78,033 per foot. I've used these numbers to calculate the following list:

Prices per foot in USD

Here's the detailed price per foot for all lengths from 20 to 100 feet:

Price of used sailboats

We did the same for used sailboats, comparing thousands of listings. Here are the complete data:

Source: Yachtworld Q3 2023

The price of used sailboats ranges from roughly $882-$36,889 per foot . Here's the detailed price per foot for all lengths from 20 to 100 feet:

Prices on Craigslist

The price of used sailboats ranges from roughly $476-$2,098 per foot.

To get an average of the price of a used sailboat, I went over to Craigslist. I took the first 20 relevant search results for sailboats under, and over 30 feet.

Of course, the averages here are very speculative, as prices vary from day to day. But it gives a broad range of what to expect.

Over 50 feet, listings become meagre. I believe people tend to not place their 80-ft sailboats on Craigslist, but sell it through a broker instead.

Median Craigslist price of a used sailboat:

• under 30 ft: $11,065
• over 30 ft: $87,020

I've calculated the median price , not the average. The median is the price that's most common within the price range. This way the highest and lowest prices don't have as much impact.

Average Craigslist price-per-foot of a used sailboat:

• under 30 ft: $476 per ft
• over 30 ft: $2,098 per ft

This is what I found on Craigslist under 30 feet:

Washington dc.

Source: Craigslist Washington DC Q3 2023

Los Angeles

Source: Craigslist Los Angeles Q3 2023

Source: Craigslist Houston Q3 2023

South Florida

Source: Craigslist Miami Q3 2023

Source: Craigslist New York Q3 2023

Here's what I found for 30 feet and up:

Sailboat price development.

Compared to our 2022 research, the median price of new sailboats has gone up 22.5% (from $251,000 to $307,500). The average price has gone up 33.6% (from $248,000 to $331,250).

The average price of used sailboats under 30 ft on Craigslist has gone up 30% (from $8,500 to $11,000).

Sailboat prices research archive

You can check our earlier research data here:

• 2022 average sailboat price data
• 2019 average sailboat price data

Catamarans are 60% more expensive

If you dream of owning a catamaran, you should expect to pay roughly 60% more for the boat, and 60% more on annual cost like upkeep and mooring. There are exceptions, of course, and for some boat lengths, new catamarans may be slightly more affordable than a monohull.

I've researched thousands of catamaran listings as well to come up with those numbers. The exact numbers are summarized in my guide on the average cost of buying and owning a catamaran. It's very similar to this article, so if you like this and are curious about catamaran prices as well, I encourage you to check it out.

Average Cost of Buying & Owning a Catamaran (With 4 Examples)

So let's take a quick look at the costs for owning a sailboat.

One-time costs:

• Registration : costs of registration differ per state, but usually run anywhere from $3 - $10 per foot.
• Taxes : differs per state and country. Most governments want you to pay property tax and sales tax. Sales tax is usually about 5%. Property tax varies and is more complex, so I'll leave that up to you to figure out.
• Trailer : $1,000
• Sailing club initiation fee : $1,500 - $4,000

Recurring costs:

• Mooring : $10-15 per foot per year (can be much higher for prime locations)
• Insurance : typically 1.5% of the total value of the boat. So a $50,000 26' cruiser will cost 750 bucks.
• Maintenance : a good rule of thumb is 10% of the boat value. Expect to spend anywhere between $500 - $2,500 per year for small to mid-sized boats.
• Fuel : depends on how much you use the boat and the engine, but on average something between $100 - $150. - Find out how much fuel a sailboat uses in my article here (opens in new tab).
• International License : if you want to sail on international waters, you have to get your ICC (International Certificate of Competence ). Plan on spending anywhere between 400 to 500 dollars.
• Safety equipment : plan on spending anywhere between 150 to 600 bucks for lifejackets, first aid kit, and distress signals.
• Winterize boat : $2,000
• Sailing club: $800 - $1,500

Cost of owning a boat

Maintenance

Your average maintenance cost will be roughly $144 dollars per month for boats under 30', or just under $2,000 per year.

Maintenance involves a lot of hidden costs We took an in-depth look at everything . The result is a comprehensive article that lays it all out for new boat owners. Read all about maintenance costs

Gas engines run for about 1,500 hours, diesel engines run for 5,000. After that, you'll need to change them out.

Most engines will last you about 20 years.

A standard 15HP or 20HP outboard gas engine will cost you about $5,000 - $6,000 and needs replacing every 20 years or so. If you do the work yourself, it's more something like $1,000 - $1,500.

A smaller engine uses less fuel, reducing your total cost You can actually use a pretty small engine for most sailboats. To learn how small (and efficient) you can go, I've written a guide on how to calculate it yourself. Read all about outboard engine size

Replacing the sails and rigging

Most people that own a sailboat will have to replace the sails and rigging at least once in their lifetime. Replacing the mast is uncommon, but if you're unlucky and get demasted, it will need to be fixed. So I've added it to the "be aware this might happen" list - but won't add it to the monthly recurring costs.

If you need to replace the mast and boom, prepare to spend anywhere between $15,000 - $25,000.

I won't go into detail, but I have written a long article about the cost of new sails (opens in new tab). It's a really helpful post (with a formula) if you want to know what to expect.

Good quality cruising sails will need to be replaced every 10 years or so.

The cost of new sails is on average:

• 26' Bermuda Sloop rig will cost you about $1,000 - $2,500.
• 34' Bermuda Sloop rig will cost you about $3,000 - $5,000.

The cost of the new rigging is on average:

• Standing rigging - every 10 years at $4,000
• Running rigging - every 5-10 years at $5,000

Bottom Paint

Your boat will need bottom paint roughly every 2 years (could be longer, but to be safe, let's keep it at two). It's also called antifouling paint because it helps to protect your hull from weeds, barnacles, and so on. Barnacles can slice through your boat's bellow! So you don't want them on there.

On average, it costs about $15 to $20 per foot to get your sailboat hull painted professionally.

For a 26' sailboat, that's just 500 bucks. Money well spent.

Replacing safety equipment

USCG safety regulations require you to replace safety gear regularly.

• Lifejackets have to be replaced every 10 years.
• Flares have to be replaced every 42 months. You could consider buying a LED electric distress light instead, which will last you a lifetime.
• If you carry a life-raft you'll need to replace that every 12 years as well.

Adhering to the minimum safety requirements shouldn't cost you more than 150 - 250 dollars every 5 years. But if you want the good stuff, need more fire extinguishers, plan on spending more like $600. If you want a life raft, that's another $1,500.

To avoid you have to go cheap on your safety gear, I've put it in the budget for $500.

If you want to know exactly what the USCG safety requirements are, including checklists , definitely check out my article here.

Winterizing your boat

Winterization is an often overlooked cost, but it can be one of the largest expenses each year. If you're like me, and not so lucky to live in Florida, you need to winterize your boat.

Failing to winterize it will increase your maintenance cost over time, as the engine wears out more quickly, and your plumbing and equipment will fall apart. Winter storms and ice can damage the hull and mast as well. Learn all about the dangers of failing to winterize here .

It's the best way to protect your boat in wintertime, period.

It consists of two parts:

• Winterizing - costs $500 to $1000 - This is the preparation for winter storage. You flush the cooling system with anti-freeze, and the boat gets wrapped in a shrink wrap cover.
• Winter storage - costs $50 per ft on average

Some other maintenance costs:

• Batteries: deep cycle batteries need replacing every 4-6 years at $600
• Deck hardware: every 20-30 years (bullseyes, tiller, eye straps) at $1,500

Joining a Sailing Club

If you're new to sailing, you might want to consider joining a sailboat club. This might help you to get tips, make friends, and learn in a safe environment. Most clubs also organize races, which are a great way to quickly improve your sailing skills.

But it comes at a cost. Sailing clubs are very expensive.

Initiation fees range anywhere between $1,000 - $4,000. But that's not all.

Then there's an annual fee of $500 - $1,000 per year. And lot's of additional fees: for dining, lockers, etc.

If you're willing to skip Christmas, go for it.

How about making up for some of those losses? There's just no better feeling than earning back all that cash with the same thing that you've spent it on in the first place.

There are lot's of ways to earn a little extra with your boat - if you're willing to put in the effort. Here are a few ideas:

• hire yourself out as the captain of a personalized cruise (for families, newly-weds, groups of colleagues)
• take people to go fishing
• hire your boat out to yacht charter companies
• teach someone to sail
• take photographers, film crews, and artists on tours
• organize dolphin and whale watching tours
• delivery of cargo - some places just can't be reached by car, for example, the city center of Giethoorn (Dutch Venice). So you have a competitive edge here!

Some ideas to save money:

• install solar panels (no more dock power)
• buy a and cheap small boat (kayak or someting) to get to offshore anchorage (which are cheaper)
• shop around for insurance
• get gas at the gas station, not the marina
• do your own maintenance as much as possible
• find a friend with water access to avoid mooring
• use it a lot (prevents stuff from breaking)
• fix things that are broken immediately
• keep your sails out of the sun
• do your own upgrades

For example, convert your winches to self-tailing yourself. I was really surprised by how cheaply this can be done yourself. Read my article on how to do it here (opens in new tab).

How much does it cost to paint a boat hull? Painting a boat hull with antifouling paint will usually cost between $15 - $20 per feet. For example, a 25-foot sailboat will cost roughly $500. A 35-foot sailboat will cost $800 to repaint. You can get premium paints and services, which can quadruple the cost. Typically, a boat needs to be repainted every two years.

Why are used sailboats so cheap? Sailboats require a lot of skill and patience. They can be quite expensive to maintain and to keep in slip. Some people find they can't afford the marina rent, upkeep, and other costs; sometimes they simply don't want to; others don't want to sail anymore. In some cases, expensive and important parts are missing.

How much does it cost to charter a sailboat? The price of a charter depends on location, size of the vessel, crew or bareboat chartering, and so on. However, on average, a bareboat yacht charter will cost anywhere from $5,000 - $10,000 per week. Crewed charters cost anywhere between $10,000 - $15,000 per week. Superyachts may cost up to $150,000 per week.

Thanks to Jean-Pierre Bazard for letting me use his wrapped boat photo under CC BY-SA 3.0

Excellent write up. This is honestly the type of information that’s hard to find as you’re trying to get into sailing. I’m a car guy. People think of car collecting like Jay Leno, but it can be done cheaply. I get the impression sailing is the same way.

Shawn Buckles

Hi Stephen, thanks a lot for your kind words, really appreciate it! It really is kind of the same, it’s all about how much time and effort you’re willing to put in. As with anything, lots can be achieved with energy and attention.

Thanks again.

Serious question. Why are you buying a trailer for a 40 ft yacht? That doesn’t even make sense.

Hi Christian, thanks for the remark. 40 ft boat trailers do actually exist, although I agree that most people probably won’t trailer a 40 ft yacht.

Thank a lot for the very useful information„ now you caused me to start thinking why don’t I start sailing lessons to do round the world in a sail boat ( instead of an aircraft)

Hello Hatem, you’re very welcome. Smooth sailing, or flying.

Hi, I am not familiar with boats. My boss just asked me to find a nice boat for him. Thank you for this informative post, this helps me so much. By the way, I already found a site selling yachts here in the Philippines, here’s the link https://rayomarine.com Do you have any suggestion with brand and boat type. Thank you! More power!

Very good information, but I am having a hard time matching these number here in Southern California. Cheapest slip I found so for is $375/month, on a very run down and far from the ocean marina. At the harbor that I want, the cheapest I found is $800/month. Even if I was given a boat for free, just keeping it in place would cost me almost 10k/year

Excellent writeup, Shawn! Thank you very much for all your hard work and I look forward to reading your other articles on the subject.

Great info! We are in the market for our first sailboat and this answered many of our questions. Although I do agree with Rafael that slip prices in Southern California our much higher than what you listed. The marina we like will run about $1000 a month.

Thank you for your artical…a LOT of useful information included in it sir. I have been thinking about buying one for two years now, since I moved to a harbor town near where I grew up. We always had motor boats when I was young. But, I always loved sailing MUCH much more! I love the quiet of it, and always something to do, rather than just sit, drive, gas it up, dock, repeat. Laugh!! It’s about a ten min walk to the marina from here..and I have nothing but time. However my health is pretty bad. I just don’t know if I could handle it all alone. I’m thinking maybe a 25-30 foot cruiser. Thanks again sir!! I look forward to reading your other articles. Sincerely, Gary Heaton Olcott, Ny

Thanks a million! First time I come across an article that complete and with so much effort. For people thinking about buying a boat the info you provide is priceless.

John Callahan

Good information, but any article on prices should have a date associated with it. I see no indication of when this article was posted.

Thank you so much for this well done article. We’re looking at getting a boat and you’ve answered questions we didn’t even know we had.

Awesome article good job i am from Slovenia and thinking about buyng sailboat and sail for 6 monhs per year.I hawe bean looking on Holland sites too buy one can i maybe find auctions too buy a sailingboat i bawe wach Troswijk but they do t hawe any up ther?

Many of the costs quoted look very low to me, especially in the first article. Was this written a long time ago?

Excellent article. Am wondering though how do I dispose of a used boat if I get tired of it and can’t sell it or possibly run it aground. Maybe a 40 ft sloop?

Chris Kenny

Thanks for this infor.

Peace sailing.

Benjamin Sklar

Extremely helpful and interesting article! Thank you!

John Wallace

This is the most accurate information I have ever seen about boat ownership costs.

Many thanks!!!!

Leave a comment

You may also like, how much does it cost to dock a boat for a year.

Before buying your first boat you probably want to know how much it will cost you each year. So did I, so I checked hundreds of slips, and here are the numbers I …

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Below Deck yacht names revealed - and how much it costs to rent the celebrity superyachts

By Editorial Team |   Last Updated 10 October 2023

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Since 2013, Below Deck has been captivating TV audiences across the globe by offering a voyeuristic peek into life on board multi-million dollar luxury charter yachts . Taking readers behind the scenes, YachtCharterFleet identifies the yachts featured on the show, as well as those which have appeared on the celebrated spin-off series Below Deck: Mediterranean , Below Deck: Sailing , Below Deck: Down Under and the latest iteration, Below Deck: Adventure .

Bravo’s hit reality TV series Below Deck chronicles the lives of crew members who work and reside aboard a luxury yacht during the charter season.

Each season features a different crew configuration, and the episodes show how the crew members interact and deal with personal issues alongside their working lives. The seasons are filmed over six weeks, with every episode featuring a new group of charter guests.

Getting even closer to these Below Deck superstars, we take a look at each of the stand-out features of every yacht that has appeared on the show.

Below Deck (US)

Many crew members are recurring on the show;  the longest-standing is Captain Lee Rosbach, who been on the show since 2013. A fan favourite, he has been at the helm of every yacht on Below Deck and seen a number of different crew formations.

The latest Below Deck season 10 is rumoured to be his final swan song, although his legacy on the show is such that whoever replaces him will have very big shoes to fill.

Among the crew members, Chief Stewardess Kate Chastain was an integral member of the team from season two to season seven. Alongside her, Chef Ben Robinson was a permanent fixture of the crew from season one to season four, before stepping out for season five.

Throughout the course of the show, the yachts have played an important role. 

Hiring a Below Deck yacht will cost from €140,000 per week - and that price doesn't include expenses such as fuel. While some of the yachts were given an alias over the course of filming, their real names can now be revealed below; as well as the exact cost to rent them. 

The largest yacht in the show's history, the 10th and 11th seasons of Below Deck  are set around the Caribbean islands of St Lucia  and Grenada onboard the luxurious 60m (197ft) superyacht ST DAVID . Delivered in 2008 by Italian shipyard Benetti, the yacht has an impressive sleek, supercar-inspired profile that instantly turns heads. 

Onboard highlights include her well-appointed sundeck with sunloungers and sunpads where guests can kick back and relax, a spa pool and her al fresco cinema screen set up for unforgettable movie nights.

One of the yacht's most distinctive features is her sophisticated spiral staircase that leads through all three decks and is lit by a skylight in the spa pool of the sun deck. The yacht is very versatile for a variety of charter party configurations, with room for 12 guests across six elegantly appointed cabins. 

STARSHIP (aka MY SEANNA)

Making an appearance on seasons 9, 8 and 6 of Below Deck , the majestic motor yacht STARSHIP (known on the show as MY SEANNA) is a yacht charter favorite.

The yacht has traveled far and wide for the show cruising to the jaw-droppingly beautiful St Kitts and Nevis in season 9, the sun-kissed Caribbean in season 8 and the  South Pacific  islands of  Tahiti in season 6.

Known for being among one of the most opulent yachts on the charter market due to her ornate interiors and glossy fittings that have been brushed in 22-carat gold, it is safe to say that this yacht is one of the most opulently styled and extensively equipped yachts on the water. Refitted in 2021, the Delta Marine yacht can accommodate 12 guests across 6 cabins and is extremely versatile for a variety of yacht charter party configurations. 

VALOR (aka BG)

Appearing three times on the hit show, the 47m (153ft) charter yacht BG (known on the show as VALOR) featured in seasons 7, 5 and 4 of Below Deck , taking charter guests to a variety of sun-kissed and beautiful locations. The yacht's real name is BG, and she was built in 1990 by the world's most revered shipbuilder Feadship . Since then, she has undergone many interiors refreshes to keep her in tip-top condition. 

The yacht traveled around Thailand in Season 7  where the crew and viewers were treated to a truly memorable South East Asian experience. From the iconic Phi Phi Islands to the beautiful beaches of Ko Yao Yai, there were plenty of fascinating landmarks to see on the way. Season 5 took viewers to the tranquil cruising grounds of  Saint Martin whilst season 4 saw M/Y BG in the glistening waters of the  Virgin Islands .

Accomodating 12 guests across 6 cabins, she is also capable of carrying up to 10 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht charter experience.

EROS (aka STAY SALTY)

Season 3 of Below Deck was announced after a hugely successful second-season finale, which was the highest-rated episode of the series. The new season saw the crew head to the Bahamas onboard  superyacht STAY SALTY  known on the show as EROS. 

She is equipped with an array of luxurious amenities including an eight-person sundeck Jacuzzi, barbecue and yacht-wide sound system. She also boasts timeless interior styling with intricate wood panelling and a neutral colour palette which helps create an inviting atmosphere for those on board.

The yacht was sold in November 2013 - just before filming for season 3 began - for an asking price of $17.9 million.

OHANA (aka STAR DIAMOND)

Premiering in August 2014, season 2 of Below Deck returned with 13 episodes documenting life on board the slightly smaller superyacht STAR DIAMOND in the British Virgin Islands . Among many other features, the yacht is equipped with a large sundeck, outdoor bar and luxury accommodation for 10 guests.

After filming the series, M/Y STAR DIAMOND was sold for an asking price of $10.9 million and is now on the charter market with a charter rate of $160,000/week. Extensively refit in 2022, the work on the superyacht has included a complete interior refresh, the yacht now features light, modern styling - an engine rebuild and a cabin conversion.

HONOR (aka BARENTS )

The first season of Below Deck premiered on 1 July 2013 after being announced in April 2012. Chartering around the Caribbean , the starring superyacht was named HONOR for the show but chartered under the name CUOR DI LEONE which translates to ‘Lion Heart’ in Italian. She now goes by the name BARENTS . 

Built by Italian shipyard Benetti in 1999 and refit in 2021, the famous vessel has undergone a complete makeover, bringing her up to modern standards. She can accommodate up to 12 charter guests and features luxury amenities for guests to enjoy including state-of-the-art TVs and a sundeck Jacuzzi.

Following the show, superyacht BARENTS was sold for around $15 million and her new owner commissioned a major refit. A great deal of money was spent on updating her interior with a classic-modern style of design as well as on brand-new exterior furniture and entertainment systems.

Below Deck: Mediterranean

Following on from the success of Below Deck , the spin-off  Below Deck: Mediterranean premiered in May 2016. While the original series takes place during the winter charter season when the Caribbean is at its peak, Below Deck: Mediterranean is filmed during the summer charter season.

Season one of Below Deck: Mediterranean saw Captain Mark Howard at the helm, but the baton was passed to Captain Sandy Yawn from two onwards. Chief Stewardess Hannah Ferrier was another permanent fixture on the show from season one to five, before leaving the show in season six.

As its name suggests, the show is based in the Mediterranean , the world’s most popular yachting hub from May to October. Despite the change in location, the same format and accompanying on-water antics from the crew and guests alike can be expected. Below, all the names of the superyachts which have appeared on the show, and the cost to rent them.

Season 8 of Below Deck: Mediterranean was aired in September 2023 and brought back yet more antics that included some tense franchise firsts. Set in the Ligurian Riviera, the hit Bravo series returns to Italy for the first time since season 3. The series followed the crew from mid-August until mid-September of 2022 onboard the 180-feet superyacht MUSTIQUE .

Holding up to 12 guests across 6 classically decorated cabins, this yacht is the epitome of elegance with its glossy mahogany paneling and cream upholstery. She is replete with water toys, including kayaks, a seabob, waterskis, and Zapata Flyboards, and has expansive deck areas– offering plenty of scope for both crew and guest antics which make Below Deck: Mediterranean so entertaining.

Season 7 of Below Deck: Mediterranean returned to the screens in July 2022 and brought back more drama and wealthy clientele, creating endless entertainment for viewers at home. Set in Malta , a destination never seen before on the show, the series followed the crew over an eight-week charter season onboard the 49m (160ft) superyacht HOME .

Accommodating up to 12 guests across 6 beautifully decorated staterooms, this yacht is described as a home away from home, the perfect platform for guests to soak up the sunshine, kick back and relax. From her convivial sundeck setup replete with a Jacuzzi and glowing cocktail bar to her panoramic sky lounge and state-of-the-art water toys, this yacht certainly had the wow factor that was required for Below Deck: Mediterranean .

LADY MICHELLE (renamed NEXT CHAPTER)

Season 6 of Below Deck: Mediterranean premiered in June 2021 and saw a new vessel,  motor yacht LADY MICHELLE , since re-named NEXT CHAPTER, take center stage. It also saw the return of Captain Sandy and Bosun Malia, plus a brand new crew. 

A floating paradise that turns heads on the water, this heavenly Benetti vessel comfortably accommodates 12 guests across 6 sumptuous staterooms, with additional capacity for up to 12 crew members. She also boasts an open-air cinema, a split-level owner's suite and an impressive array of water toys.

This season takes the crew to one of the most idyllic cruising grounds in the East Mediterranean : Croatia . Abounding with serene golden beaches, crystalline waters and gorgeous coves to explore, it's one of the most popular yacht charter destinations.

THE WELLINGTON (aka THE WELLESLEY)

Season 5 of Below Deck: Mediterranean premiered in the summer of 2020. The show was shot on board the motor yacht THE WELLESLEY , and the superyacht was given the alias THE WELLINGTON over the course of filming. 

The yacht has an elegant 1920's theme, with a chic club lounge complete with a bespoke humidor. She features plenty of marble accents and ample alfresco deck areas, as well as a jacuzzi with innovative spill pool features.

The yachties set course for Spain for this season, cruising around the azure waters of the Balearic Islands . The homeport was Port Adriano on the island of Mallorca .

Featuring in both Season 4 and Season 2 of Below Deck: Mediterranean ,  superyacht SIROCCO  is a yacht charter sensation. An elegant and sophisticated Heesen -built motor yacht, she features plenty of alfresco sunning areas and an 8-person jacuzzi pool; the perfect spot for the charter guests to unwind after a long day exploring.

Season 4 took the crew to one of the most iconic destinations in the Mediterranean ; the South of France . Between the luxury yachting hub of Monaco to the beautiful beaches in St Tropez , this season promises lashings of glitz and glamour. During Season 2 of Below Deck: Mediterranean , M/Y SIROCCO cruised the picturesque waters of  Croatia .

TALISMAN MAITON

Premiering in 2018, season 3 of  Below Deck: Mediterranean saw familiar and new faces head to the sublime cruising grounds of Italy. This time, the crew treated their discerning guests to a world of luxury on board the 54m/178ft motor yacht TALISMAN MAITON .

Built in 2006 and refit to an exacting standard in 2016, the yacht boasts a range of exciting features that make her particularly appropriate for the waters of the Amalfi Coast . Indeed, her entertainment options range from a stunning selection of water toys to a sundeck Jacuzzi and a refreshingly modern interior.

IONIAN PRINCESS

Premiering on 3 May 2016, the very first season of Below Deck: Mediterranean , a spin-off of the increasingly popular franchise, took to viewers' screens. This time the ‘yachties’ took care of their guests onboard the motor yacht IONIAN PRINCESS  in the Mediterranean  destination of Greece . 

The starring yacht IONIAN PRINCESS was delivered from Christensen in 2005 and was later refit in 2016 and again in 2021. Truly opulent, she bears interiors that are sleekly finished with a range of warmly toned woods and plenty of comfortable furnishings. She also boasts one of the largest sundecks for a yacht of her size.

Below Deck: Mediterranean Season 1 yacht IONIAN PRINCESS is not currently available for private yacht charter vacations.

Below Deck: Sailing Yacht

This is the first time the Below Deck franchise branched away from gleaming motor yachts, with the various weather issues that sailing yachts have to contend with adding even more drama and excitement.

The design of luxury sailing yachts  also creates far more confined crew areas than we are used to seeing on the original Below Deck . In general, sailing yachts tend to feature smaller galleys, compact stew stations and cramped crew quarters which are in closer proximity to the guests’ living areas, putting crew under increased pressure to deliver their signature silver service.

In addition, deck crew are placed in a far more demanding role, with sailing yachts requiring increased accuracy and precision to safely maneuver and plenty of deck duties taking place in the midst of guest areas.

PARSIFAL III

An iconic and suitable yacht for the much-loved series Below Deck: Sailing , the 54m (177ft) sailing yacht PARSIFAL III has blessed our screens for all four series of the hit maritime show.

Season 1 saw the sailing yacht cruising around the beautiful islands of Greece , an  East Mediterranean destination that is peppered with an incredible variety of islands. Season 2 was set around the glistening waters of Croatia and in  Season 3 of Below Deck Sailing , M/Y PARSIFAL III came back to where she traditionally charters in the beautiful Balearic island of Menorca . For the latest Below Deck: Sailing Yacht season she ventured around the glittering coastline of Sardinia .

The yacht can comfortably charter up to 12 guests across 5 luxurious cabins with a layout comprising a master suite, two double cabins and two twin cabins.

Below Deck: Down Under

Venturing to the mesmerizing Whitsunday islands in Australia , the much-beloved maritime show released another spin-off of the hit show in April 2022, Below Deck: Down Under . Recorded on Queensland's shores, viewers can see for themselves the impeccable Australian islands and all their beauty as the superyachts, their crew and charter guests travel to some of the most sought-after destinations in the world.  

NORTHERN SUN

Below Deck: Down Under  returns to our screens for its second outing, this time on board the 51m (167ft) explorer yacht NORTHERN SUN , with the coastal paradise of Cairns in Australia’s northern Queensland providing the glittering backdrop.

Headed up once more by the handsome Captain Jason Chambers, he is joined by returning chief stewardess, Aesha Scott, along with a brand new crew, including Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph, Bosun Luke Jones and stews Laura Bileskaine and Margot Sisson.

Promising another round of crew antics and high drama, the bulk of the action takes place on board the classic explorer yacht, primed for adventure and boasting a wealth of luxurious amenities and an eye-catching exterior, charter guests will be in for a treat.

KERI LEE III (AKA THALASSA)

The perfect yacht for season 1 of Below Deck: Down Under , the 55m (181ft) yacht KERI LEE is the prime candidate for anyone looking for a taste of the superyacht lifestyle. Described as being like Downton Abbey on a boat, the yacht is home to an expansive beauty salon, massage room, gym, jacuzzi and movie theater, so there is definitely enough to keep all charter guests entertained.

In the first season of Below Deck: Down Under , this yacht traveled to some pretty spectacular destinations from the Great Barrier Reef , including the Whitsunday's , Hook Island, Block Reef and Henning Island, giving charter guests the opportunity to witness the outstanding beauty and clear waters of the Pacific .

Below Deck: Adventure

Airing its inaugral season at the end of 2022, Below Deck: Adventure brings more drama than ever before as the show takes viewers beyond the deck and off the yacht as thrill-seeking charter guests embark on a range of extreme and unforgettable experiences around the Norwegian Fjords. Some of the activities include paragliding, exploring unique caves and taking extreme helicopter rides, Below Deck: Adventure provides endless entertainment as well as giving viewers a glimpse of the astonishingly beautiful landscapes in and around  Norway . 

In  Below Deck: Adventure season 1, Capt. Kerry Titheradge leads the crew with Jessica Condy as Chef and Faye Clarke as Chief Stew.

As seen in season 1 of Below Deck Adventure , the 49m (164ft) motor yacht MERCURY is a high-quality and highly reliable Dutch-built luxury charter yacht. Delivered by Amels in 2001, the yacht is to the highest standard and pedigree and boasts a wealth of convivial spaces, perfect for relaxing, unwinding and socializing onboard. 

Home to an impressive array of amenities, standout highlights include an expansive Jacuzzi, a large swim platform for easy access to the water and a gym. An advanced stabilization system on board reduces the side-to-side roll of the yacht and promises guests exceptional comfort levels at anchor or when underway.

Interested in a Below Deck yacht rental?

For more details on chartering any of the above yachts, speak to your preferred charter broker . They can provide you with personalized information and advice concerning your vacation, creating an itinerary that perfectly caters to your individual needs.

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BELOW DECK YACHTS FOR CHARTER

60m Benetti 2008 / 2019

56m Delta Marine 2001 / 2021

56m Oceanco 1993 / 2016

55m Benetti 2003 / 2022

54m Turquoise Yachts 2006 / 2016

54m Perini Navi 2005 / 2012

51m Narasaki Shipyard 1976 / 2007

50m Benetti 1999 / 2021

50m Amels 2001 / 2006

50m Heesen 2017

47m Heesen 2006 / 2013

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8 of the Most Luxurious Yacht Charters in Thailand

T hailand is one of the best yacht charter destinations in the world. If you’re looking to experience a yachting vacation in Southeast Asia, consider booking these luxury yacht charters in Thailand with some of the best boats available for rent.

With over 1,000 remote islands and crystal clear waters filled with vibrant marine life, Thailand is one of the top charter destinations in the world. While the traditional yachting crowd might still be going on Caribbean yacht charters for their fix of winter sun, Thailand is slowly becoming a popular alternative cruising destination for luxury private yacht charters and scuba diving charters.

Whether you’re looking for a casual bareboat charter or want the most luxurious superyacht experience money can buy, there are plenty of vessels available to rent privately from Thailand’s main yachting hubs such as Pattaya or Phuket. Take a look at some of the dreamiest luxury yacht charters available for cruising in Thai waters now.

Set sail with the best luxury yacht charters in Thailand

1. mes amis.

Delivered in 2007 by New Zealand’s Fitzroy Yachts, Mes Amis is a sailing sloop with a modern design by Ed Dubois. Guests can enjoy the warm waters of Thailand thanks to a toybox carrying the likes of kayaks, wakeboards and SUPs, before soaking up the sunshine in her ample outdoor spaces including a fold-down swim platform. A covered al fresco dining area is perfect for staying out of direct sun while still enjoying stunning views.

Capacity: 10 guests & 6 crew

Cost: USD 125,000 per week

How to rent: Cecil Wright brokerage, cecilwright.com

2. Navis One

Navis One offers charter itineraries in beautiful locations around Thailand, from the Similan Islands and Phuket to Koh Phi Phi, Phang Nga, Koh Lanta, Krabi and Tarutao National Park, all the way down to the Malaysian island of Langkawi. Guests will be able to explore all of these breathtaking destinations to the full, thanks to Navis One’s helipad and impressive toybox carrying Jet Skis and SeaBobs as well as fishing gear and scuba diving kit . Built by Soraya Yachts in 2018, this modern superyacht is designed with elegant indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces, including a top deck Jacuzzi tub.

Size: 46.5m

Capacity: 12 guests & 10 crew

Cost: USD 200,000 p/w

Charter agent: Northrop & Johnson brokerage, northropandjohnson.com

Bilgin Yachts’ Mia Kai is instantly recognisable at sea thanks to her glamorous, champagne-hued hull. She is equally eye-catching indoors, with her air-conditioned interiors finished in elegant, traditional wood panelling. But the best views are enjoyed from the sun-protected top deck, complete with an al fresco dining space and a hot tub. A toybox carrying gear for fishing, diving, waterskiing and wakeboarding as well as Jet Skis and a banana boat will ensure all guests are entertained while on board.

Size: 29.5m

Capacity: 8 guests & 8 crew

Cost: From 58,700 USD to 71,700 USD + VAT

Charter agent: Mia Kai is independently chartered. Visit www.mymiakai.com .

4. Guillemot

Sleek sailing sloop Guillemot was delivered by Dutch shipyard Vitters in 2004. Her most recent refit was in 2021 and saw her interiors totally redesigned and refreshed for charter guests’ benefit. An on-board highlight is the split-level master cabin, featuring a private study and walk-in wardrobe. Above deck, she is well equipped for warm-weather cruising thanks to a dedicated swim platform and an expansive fleet of water toys – including scuba diving gear.

Capacity: 10 guests & 7 crew

Charter agent: Camper & Nicholsons brokerage, camperandnicholsons.com

Launched in 1999, Xanadu’s classic style interiors were last refitted in 2019 to ensure she has all the modern amenities to please today’s charter guests. This includes a toybox carrying all the latest gadgets from Jet Skis, SUPs and kayaks to gear for diving , snorkelling and fishing. Xanadu’s standout feature is the flybridge, complete with a barbecue grill, sun pads and al fresco dining space for outdoor entertaining, while a unique element is the skylight in the master cabin that allows guests to stargaze as they fall asleep. The cosmopolitan crew, complete with a Thai chef who can serve local dishes , will help fully immerse guests in their charter experience in Thailand.

Capacity: 8 guests & 6 crew

Cost: EUR 70,000 per week + expenses

Charter agent: Simpson Marine, simpsonmarine.com

Azul V is one of the biggest boats available to charter in Thailand and indeed all of Southeast Asia. The 48.3 metre CRN motor yacht first hit the water in 1996, but underwent an extensive refit in 2015 which earned her a World Superyacht Award. Her classic-style, air-conditioned interiors are paired with a standout sun deck boasting a hot tub with a swim up bar. Other on-board highlights include a gym for waterside workouts and a well-stocked toy box for water sports.

Size: 48.3m

Capacity: 12 guests & 11 crew

Cost: 180,000 USD + 25% APA

Charter agent: Asia Yacht Agency, azul-v.com

7. Maritimus

Maritimus is a nifty 23.77 metre Princess motor yacht delivered in 2012. Her compact size makes her ideal for smaller groups wanting to discovering hidden coves and anchorages inaccessible to bigger vessels, and allows her to explore further thanks to an impressive top speed of 32 knots. Maritimus’ on-board spaces were last refitted in 2021 and are equipped for indoor or outdoor entertaining, complete with a top deck cocktail bar . The submersible swimming platform meanwhile enables easy access to warm Thai waters for swimming, fishing or paddle boarding.

Size: 23.77 metres

Capacity: 8 guests & 3 crew

Cost: THB 300 -350,000 + VAT per day

Charter agent: Contact Boat Lagoon Yachting, boatlagoonyachting.com

8. Camara C

First launched by British builder Yarrow & Co in 1961, Camara C is a prime example of a classic “gentleman’s yacht”. The charm of her traditional canoe-hull design and wood-panelled interiors are complemented with up-to-date amenities thanks to her refit completed in 2022. Guests have a fleet of water toys to choose from during their charter, including fishing gear to catch your own dinner and enjoy a fresh al fresco meal on the stunning sundeck. With tropical-grade air conditioning, a steel hull and a cruising range of over 4,000 nautical miles, Camara C is the perfect vessel for discovering the Thai islands in old-school style.

Size: 32 metres

Capacity: 12 guests & 6 crew

Cost: EUR 60-70,000 per week + expenses

Charter agent: Contact Fraser brokerage, fraseryachts.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– How much does it cost to rent a private yacht in Thailand?

Costs vary greatly depending on the type and size of vessel and the location and length of the charter. A private yacht charter in Thailand can cost anywhere from USD 1,400 a day to over USD 100,000 a week.

– How much does it cost to rent a yacht for a day in Thailand?

Charter rates for renting a private yacht for a day in Thailand can range from USD 1,000 a day to over USD 100,000 a day.

(Main image: Mia Kai; Featured image: Mes Amis/ Christopher Scholey)

The post 8 of the Most Luxurious Yacht Charters in Thailand appeared first on Prestige Online - Thailand .