Whether you're an experienced sailor or a first-time adventurer, planning the perfect yacht charter requires careful consideration and thoughtful preparation. In this guide, we will navigate through the essential steps to help you plan an unforgettable yacht charter holiday. From choosing the right destination to selecting the perfect yacht and crafting an itinerary that suits your desires, let's set sail on a journey of meticulous planning and unparalleled seafaring experiences.
Average yacht charter cost: Base prices
The cost of renting a boat varies by location, time of year, size and type of the boat (sailing yacht, catamaran, gulet, motorboat, motor yacht, etc.), provisioning, insurance, fuel consumption, cleaning fee, and whether you hire a professional skipper and a crew. A rental in the low season can start from 70 € per day. In high season yacht rental costs will increase. On Yasido.com weekly yacht charters can cost from 750 € for smaller sailing yachts, to up to 85 000 € per week on the most luxurious motor superyachts. In order to make it easier for you, our team has prepared an overview of the factors that have an influence on the total costs of your yacht charter.
Bareboat yacht charter
For a bareboat yacht charter, the base price is for the yacht only. This means that additional expenses for food and drink, water sports equipment, fuel costs, docking fees, and taxes must be paid separately. Bear in mind that the number of people attending makes a considerable difference in the type of boat you need and the overall cost - the larger the yacht, the higher the price. The construction year of the boat, its last renovation date, and even the charter base location could impact the charter cost. Marine activities equipment such as jet skis, kite surf, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), and sea pools can also add to the charter cost.
All-inclusive yacht charters
All-inclusive yacht charters typically include accommodation, freshly prepared food and beverages, fuel consumption, and equipment for sports and recreation activities such as diving, snorkeling, or fishing. A fully crewed yacht charter is a luxurious experience - the crew is to include a hostess and a professional cook to prepare the meals during the trip - included in the price. This is the option that gives you the unique opportunity to personalize your sailing holiday.
What else can you expect to pay?
Traditionally when you rent a yacht you have to pay a refundable security deposit upon arrival at the base. The security deposit is the amount with which you are liable in case of any damage that is the consequence of mishandling the boat - generally, it can be made in cash or credit card (AMEX, Visa, or Mastercard). The amount of security deposit is the maximum amount with which you can be charged for any damages. Everything that exceeds that amount the charter company will cover from the insurance company. There is also a mandatory cleaning fee, which is applied mainly to bareboat charters.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
Usually, the charterer is to be responsible for paying local taxes or a Value Added Tax (VAT). Those range significantly by destination:
- BVI – Tax: between $6 and $16 per person per day, depending on the flag of the boat
- Croatia – VAT: 13%
- The Bahamas – Tax: 4% plus 10% VAT
- France – VAT: 20%
- Greece – VAT: 12%
- Italy – VAT: 22%
- Montenegro – No VAT
- Spain– VAT: 21%
- Turkey – No VAT
