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Charter brokers are good at showing you beautiful yachts. They are less forthcoming about what the total cost actually looks like, what the contract commits you to, and what happens when things go wrong.
This guide covers the process from first enquiry to departure — the real numbers, the contract terms that matter, and the questions worth asking before you hand over a deposit.
The headline charter fee is rarely the total cost. For crewed charters in particular, the full budget typically includes four separate components — and first-time charterers often underestimate the final number by 35–50% by focusing only on the base fee.
Understanding each component before you receive a quote prevents the most common source of charter disappointment: committing to a vessel based on the base fee, then discovering the total cost is substantially higher.
This is the vessel hire cost — what you pay to use the yacht for the agreed period. On a crewed charter, it typically includes crew salaries but nothing else. On a bareboat, it is the vessel only. The base fee is what is quoted in listings and what brokers lead with. Everything below is additional.
Standard on crewed MYBA-contract charters. A sum — typically 25–35% of the base fee — paid upfront and held by the captain to cover all running costs during the trip: fuel, food and drink, port and marina fees, harbour dues, customs clearance, and any other operational expenses. A full itemised account is presented at trip end; any unspent balance is returned.
Not included in the base fee or APA. The industry standard is 10–15% of the base charter fee, paid in cash directly to the captain at the end of the charter for distribution among the crew. It is not legally mandated but is firmly expected and forms a significant portion of crew income. Budget for it as a fixed item — not an optional bonus.
Depending on the charter jurisdiction, VAT can add significantly to the total. Greek charter VAT is 12% on the base fee. Croatian VAT is 13%. Some Caribbean jurisdictions charge cruising permits and marine park fees. Your broker should itemise these in the quote — if they don't, ask explicitly. They are not optional and cannot be avoided by booking offshore.
Using a mid-range crewed sailing catamaran in Greece as an example — €10,000 base charter fee for one week — here is what the full budget actually looks like:
A €10,000 charter becomes a €15,400 trip. That is not unusual — it is standard. The APA balance will also vary based on how much fuel you use, how many marinas you stay in, and how much you spend on provisioning. Some groups come in under the APA; others exceed it slightly and pay the difference at the end.
Most reputable crewed charters use a MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) contract — the industry standard. It is a thorough document and worth reading in full. The clauses that matter most are below.
The MYBA contract sets out a sliding scale of cancellation penalties based on how far in advance you cancel. Cancellation within 30 days of departure typically results in forfeiture of the full charter fee. Cancellation 60–90 days out may forfeit the deposit. Charter cancellation insurance exists specifically for this risk and is worth considering for high-value bookings.
Understand what happens if the vessel becomes unavailable — due to mechanical failure, owner withdrawal, or circumstances beyond either party's control. The contract should specify whether the owner must provide a comparable substitute vessel, offer a full refund, or simply return the deposit. Do not assume a refund is automatic.
Most charters require a refundable security deposit — typically €1,000–€5,000 for sailing yachts, significantly more for motor yachts — held against damage during the charter period. It is returned after inspection at the end of the trip. Confirm the amount, how it is held (credit card hold vs. bank transfer), and the timeline for its return.
The contract specifies the permitted cruising area. Sailing outside it without permission can void the vessel's insurance and expose you to significant liability. If you want to cross from Greece into Turkish waters, for example, that must be explicitly agreed and documented before departure — it is not automatically permitted under a standard Greek charter agreement.
Whether you book through a broker like Boat Bookings or directly through a marketplace like SamBoat or Sailo, the process follows a consistent sequence. Understanding it before you start prevents the most common mistakes.
You have two main routes to booking: a traditional charter broker or a self-serve online marketplace. Neither is universally better — they suit different types of charter and different budgets.
For first-time charterers booking a crewed yacht, using a broker adds a layer of expertise and contract protection that is genuinely valuable. For experienced sailors booking a bareboat in a familiar region, a marketplace is more efficient and typically cheaper.
These are the questions brokers and platforms will not always volunteer answers to — but which materially affect the total cost and the experience.
Timing affects both availability and price. The Mediterranean charter season runs from May through October, with July and August commanding peak demand and premium pricing. The Caribbean season runs November through April.
The best vessels at the best locations in peak weeks are booked far in advance. August in the Mediterranean and Christmas week in the Caribbean regularly book out 9–12 months ahead. If your dates are fixed and the destination matters, early is not cautious — it is necessary.
Shoulder season offers the best combination of availability, weather, and value. Most Mediterranean destinations are excellent in June and September — warm, less crowded, and with good sailing winds. Booking 3–4 months out gives solid vessel selection without peak-season pressure.
Last-minute charters do exist — cancellation slots and unsold inventory do come to market. SamBoat and Click & Boat both surface last-minute availability. But vessel selection is limited, the best options are gone, and flexibility on dates and destination is essential. Not a strategy to rely on for peak weeks.
Charter demand spikes sharply around major sailing events — Antigua Sailing Week, Cowes Week, the Palma de Mallorca regatta circuit. If you want to be in the water during these events, treat them like peak season and book accordingly. Local marina availability also tightens significantly around these dates.
The most useful next step is not a commitment — it is a search with realistic budget parameters. Using the full-cost framework above, identify what your total budget actually allows and search at that level. You may find better vessels than expected; you may need to adjust dates or destinations. Either way, starting with accurate numbers is more productive than starting with the headline fee.
With the process and costs understood, these guides cover where to go and what to expect once you're aboard.
Ready to search with the full picture in mind?
Browse yachts via Boat Bookings →The base charter fee covers use of the vessel for the agreed period. On a bareboat charter, that is typically all that is included — fuel, provisioning, and port fees are additional. On a crewed charter, crew salaries are usually included in the base fee, but fuel, food and drink, port fees, and other running costs are covered by a separate Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), typically 25–35% of the charter fee.
APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance. It is a sum paid at the start of a crewed charter — typically 25–35% of the base fee — held by the captain and used to cover all running costs during the trip: fuel, provisioning, port fees, harbour dues, and other operational expenses. A full account is presented at the end of the charter and any unspent balance is returned.
The MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) contract is the industry-standard charter agreement used for most crewed yacht charters globally. It defines the rights and responsibilities of the charterer and owner, sets out the payment structure, and establishes what happens in the event of cancellation, mechanical failure, or force majeure. Signing a MYBA contract provides significant legal protection compared to booking through platforms without standardised agreements.
For peak season Mediterranean charter (July and August), booking 6–12 months in advance is strongly recommended for the best vessel selection. Shoulder season (May–June, September–October) allows more flexibility, with good availability up to 3–4 months out. Christmas and New Year charters in the Caribbean typically book out 12+ months ahead.
Under a MYBA contract, if the vessel becomes unnavigable due to mechanical failure, the charterer is entitled to a pro-rata refund for any days lost. The owner is responsible for repairs. In practice, reputable charter companies carry full marine insurance and will work to resolve issues quickly. Always confirm the vessel's insurance coverage and cancellation terms before signing.
Yes. Crew gratuity is standard on crewed charters and is separate from the base fee and APA. The industry norm is 10–15% of the base charter fee, paid in cash directly to the captain at the end of the charter for distribution among the crew. It is not legally required but is firmly expected and forms a meaningful portion of crew income. Budget for it as a fixed line item.
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