If you're interested in enjoying a luxurious boat ride with a full crew, you should consider chartering a boat. But what do you need to know before going through the chartering process? And what steps can you take to reduce costs, prevent problems, and ultimately have a more enjoyable experience?
The Basics of Boat Chartering/Yacht Chartering
Let's start with the absolute basics of chartering a boat or a yacht. Chartering is essentially a term for renting, allowing you to temporarily use and enjoy a yacht, typically including its crew. Depending on how, when, and where you charted the boat, you might rent the boat for a single journey, or for a tour of many different islands and coastal regions.
Traditionally, boat charters come with a full crew, allowing you to enjoy the experience of having a captain, a chef, a host or hostess, and deckhands to take care of everything you need. You can also get a skipper charter, which gives you access to a captain and possibly a couple of other staff members. Less commonly, people seek out bareboat charters, where you rent a boat without a crew at all.
Why Charter a Boat?
Why do people choose to charter a boat?
Some people do this as a way to take a vacation or relax with family and friends. Others charter a boat for important business meetings or negotiations. In any case, you'll get:
- Access to the water. If you don't already own a boat, this could be one of the best ways for you to enjoy the open water. Whether you're interested in getting to a specific destination or just cruising on the open sea, this could be your best way to get a taste of maritime life.
- A full staff. Some people love chartering because it gives them access to a full staff. They don't have to worry about driving the boat, nor do they have to worry about preparing food; in a fully chartered arrangement, everything will be taken care of for you.
- A taste of luxury. Owning a fully staffed yacht isn't something that everyone can afford, so it makes sense that some people pursue chartering to get a taste of luxury or show off to other people.
- Flexible options. Boat chartering doesn't just take one form. You'll have many different options for how to customize your experience and the services you use.
Setting Expectations
Before you start looking for chartering options, you should set some expectations in advance.
- Your budget. How much are you willing to spend on this boat charter? No matter what, you can count on spending at least a few thousand pounds/euros/dollars. If you're going to rent a relatively small yacht for a week, you can expect to pay $10,000 or more. If you want a bigger yacht that can fit more people, or access to a bigger staff, you could pay six figures or more. If you already have a budget in mind, you can instantly narrow down your list of available options.
- Charter options. What type of charter are you looking for? In an inclusive charter, all expenses will be included in your upfront cost; it's a simple system in which you pay for everything and don't need to worry about itemised expenses. In an expense-based charter, you may be responsible for additional costs based on what you consume or what services you use during the charter.
- Crew, services, and amenities. What type of crew, services, and amenities do you need? If you're looking for a minimal experience, you might only need a captain and a couple of crew members. If you're looking for something more in depth, you'll need more staff and access to more types of services.
- Location, destinations, and duration. Where are you hoping to charter this boat? Where are you hoping to travel? How long do you plan to be gone?
- Yacht size. How big of a boat do you need? Yacht chartering services can help you calculate what size vessel you'll need for a specific number of people.
- Season. You'll also need to think about the season in which you want to travel. As you can imagine, demand peaks in summer, so you can sometimes find good deals by chartering a boat in the offseason.
The Research Phase
At this point, you’ll be ready to start researching boat chartering options in your area. Start with a basic online search and review various company websites. It’s also important to look at customer reviews and ratings – as well as official resources like the American Yacht Charter Association and the European Boating Association.
Tips for Booking
Here are some final tips for booking your yacht charter:
- Start early. Don't wait until the week before you want to charter a yacht. It pays to start this process as early as possible, so you're more likely to get the reservations you want at a price that you can afford.
- Take advantage of seasonal deals. If possible, take advantage of seasonal deals and other opportunities to save money. If you book during periods of low demand, you can benefit from lower pricing.
- Review the rules (and your contract). Always take the time to read the rules and review your contract. There may be some fine print that dictates how you can use this service and what you're responsible for. Be on the lookout for any extra fees or catches that apply to you.
- Double check everything. When you've completely booked the charter, take a moment to double check all the details. What's included? When do you start? Where do you arrive? This is your chance to clear up any confusion you may have.
Chartering a boat is a great way to get a taste of luxury and enjoy all the benefits of having a fully crewed yacht. But what if you want to enjoy the benefits of a yacht all the time? If that's the case, you should know that yachts are far more affordable than most people realize. At TheYachtMarket, we have a wide variety of new and used yachts for sale – so if you're in the market for aquatic adventures, start browsing our selection today!