Buyers’ Guide to Bareboat Charters, Part II - How Big Should You Go?

Bigger is better if you can afford it, no matter what your family size. The bigger boat will give a better ride and take away the cramped feeling that some get when first trying to adjust to life afloat.

 

But the costs go up considerably. For example, a 43’ power cat with three staterooms chartered high season, boat only, out of Nassau might be around $14,500, but move up to a 46’ four-stateroom model and the price is about $18,500. 

Of course, added space and more staterooms mean you can share the cost of the charter with more couples, be they family or close friends. If you’re only paying half the tab, your options go up considerably.

Fuel costs will be higher with the larger boats, as well, and so will ancillary items like yacht insurance and the damage deposit.

When to Go

In most destinations, there’s a significant difference between “high season” and “low season” rates. A summer or early fall week on a 44’ catamaran in the stunningly beautiful waters of Croatia, for example, might be as high as $15,000, but choose the chilly months and the price plunges to $4,000. 

For Greece in high season, the yacht might run $45,000 because everybody in Europe wants to vacation there then, but the toll drops to just $3,300 when the crowds go back to work. If you don’t mind dealing with chilly weather and the threat of cold front wind and rain, the savings are enormous in locations like these.  High season in “The Med” is April through October, low season November-March.

The same is true even with the smallest charter yachts. Rent a 34’ sailboat to sail the waters around Croatia (which we highly recommend) and the price can be three times higher in the summer months than in winter--$1,300 vs. $4,300 base price for a week.

On the other hand, areas with eternally warm weather have more level pricing. A week in the British Virgin Islands in a 44’ cat is going to be close to $15,000 year around. A week in St. Lucia might be $14,000 high season, dropping just $1,000 in low season to $13,000. 

However, the low season in the tropics has one major drawback. It’s hurricane season from June to October. If a big storm hits during your vacation—most likely in September but possible in any of the warmer months--you had better have travel/trip cancellation insurance. (Most companies will not give you a refund for bad weather, though they may give you some extra days on the water.)

In Alaska (yes, there are a very few bareboat operations in Alaska) summer into early fall is the only sane time to go unless you want to emulate “Dangerous Catch” conditions. 

 When to Book

It’s best to book six months in advance anywhere you want to go, but in popular destinations, in high season and for the weeks around Christmas and New Year, you might have to book a year out. Your choice of yachts will also be more limited if you book later.

The Extras

You will be charged for yacht insurance and for fuel separately. If you mostly operate on sail power, the fuel charge will be minimal.

Everyone aboard will also appreciate an internet access package, about $250 for a week.

Water toys—kayaks and standup paddleboards, run about $25 a day—they’ll be greatly appreciated by kids, anglers and water-lovers aboard. 

Sailing yachts over 50’ long are a world apart from your experience in a Soling, so think it over carefully before you try to opt for a bareboat charter in these large boats. Of course, the charter company will want to know about your experience, and will also give you an informal, on-the-water checkout ride. If you fudge, they’ll know it and you’ll wind up with a paid skipper aboard.

MarineMax, The Moorings and SunSail are among the largest bareboat operations, providing newer yachts and the most choices as well as very smooth operations, but at premium prices. Smaller local charter companies often have older boats, but if you don’t mind a few hiccups and the increased chance of a few malfunctions, you can save a lot of money going local. 

Owning a Charter Yacht

 A typical arrangement of the three majors is the charter company sells or leases a new boat to an individual. The vessel is made available for charter in the company fleet for a period of 4-5 years, which generates cash flow and profits for the charter company. The arrangement also generates cash flow, the possibility of tax incentives, and free sailing vacations, typically up to 12 weeks a year, for the owner.

It’s usually not a money maker, but it eases the cost of owning a yacht in a great location. The company handles maintenance, dock fees and any other incidental expenses during the charter period.

At the end of the charter period, the boat is turned over to the owners or sold on their behalf.

 There are literally hundreds of charter companies at locations around the world, ranging from tiny operations with only a couple of boats to huge corporations with up to 400 yachts. Here’s a sampling:

Bareboat Charter Companies

NW Explorations: https://www.nwexplorations.com/

Bareboat Alaska: https://bareboatalaska.com 

Horizon Yacht Charters: https://horizonyachtcharters.com 

MarineMax: https://www.marinemax.com 

The Moorings: https://www.moorings.com 

Sun Sail Yacht Charters: https://www.sunsail.com/

Seize the Day Charters: https://seizethedaycharters.com 

Sunsail: https://www.sunsail.com

12 Knots Charters: https://12knots.com/en/yacht-charter/destinations/mediterranean-sea 

Voyage Charters: https://www.voyagecharters.com