To put it plainly, if you enjoy freedom, chartering a yacht is one of the best experiences that you can have. Yachting is a luxury where excellence should always come as standard. If you're wanting to be catered to on the water, whilst enjoying the views in some of the world's most desirable locations, a yacht charter is the way to go! Yacht charters are essentially private yacht rentals reserved entirely for you and your guests, who may also use them as their floating hotel resort or a method of transportation on the water . Yachts typically come with a variety of water toys, cabins, galleys, and more. A yacht charter offers an excellent way to travel with friends or family and create long lasting memories with loved ones.
What is a Yacht Charter?
A yacht charter is a privately owned yacht that can be rented for a specific period. Durations typically last for as little as an afternoon cruise to upward of a couple of weeks. This kind of rental isn't the same as a cruise ship since you do not need to board the boat with other people or be confined to specific rooms. Instead, you have the freedom and flexibility to travel at your own pace with a designated crew to cater to your every need. The number of people who can go on a yacht charter will depend on the size of the vessel, how many cabins, and whether the ship is commercially endorsed. Typically charter group sizes range from 2 to 12 guests, keeping the experience closed off and intimate.
Oliver Wyman, a lifelong London resident, said, "A yacht charter is a considered choice. It is important to really understand what goes into a successful yacht charter and what to expect before embarking on your trip. If you are on a charter for 7 days, you are essentially floating on your own 5 star hotel which has the ability to be transported from one beautiful destination to another. Another important factor to consider is crew personalities. If you and your group are the type of people that like late nights, parties and consistent excursions, a younger crew may be advised."
When you charter a yacht from a trusted yacht brokerage company, there are many things that you need to consider. First and foremost, your desired cruising route, date, and number of guests will need to be decided. The intricate details of the charter such as the daily activities, meals, and land excursions can be arranged with your charter broker.
The Process of Chartering
When you are ready to rent a yacht charter to your destination of choice, contact your yacht broker. Once you have your dates and desired duration, your trusted yacht broker can conduct a search for you and confirm availability.
From a list of potential options, it is important to give your broker plenty of feedback on what it is you like and dislike about a certain yacht. From here, a great broker will be able to advise you on which would be the best selection for you and your guests.
Once a decision on a yacht has been made, your broker will draft up a charter agreement for you to sign. To make an agreement binding, the charterer, broker, escrow agent, owner and captain all need to sign off on the contract. Once the agreement is in place, the broker will then begin to work with the captain and crew on charter specifics. A good broker will ensure that the crew are well versed in the type of charter that you are looking for. Once aboard, the fun really begins. You'll also have access to the yacht's interior and exterior spaces as well as all its amenities.
How to Choose the Right Yacht to Charter
There are several different types of yachts, but they all offer a similar experience and the same basic amenities. Most yacht charters have a maximum capacity of between two and twelve guests, but some vessels which have been commercially endorsed, and can hold as many as 40-100 people. For these types of charters it is important to use a trusted broker who has had experience in putting together these types of charters.
Here are factors to consider when choosing a yacht charter.
Size And Price
The average size of a day charter vessel would be anywhere between 40-120 feet. Prices vary on location, but in Miami, Florida, you can expect to pay anywhere between $3000-$25,000 for a day trip. Illegal charter market is very common, making it especially important to vet your broker.
Yacht charter rates depend on several factors, such as the size of the boat, the time period you want your boat for, and what kind of activities you want to do on your charter and whether the charter is during a high season or holiday period. For global term charters, your broker will be collecting what is known as an APA (advance provisions allowance). This typically ranges from 30-40% of the charter fee and is used for all expenses during your charter.
When choosing a yacht, it's important to consider all of these factors so that you'll be happy with your choice. Then, you'll be able to enjoy your yacht charter at its fullest! You can find different types of yachts available for charter in different parts of the world.
Chartering a Yacht: Using the Right Broker
Consult the Pros—Talk to a Broker
When chartering a yacht, finding a reliable yacht broker is important. From the initial search, the consultation, through to negotiating the contact. A good yacht broker should be with you every step of the way. At Barton Yachts a broker on the team will guide you through finding your perfect vessel, choosing the right vessel, and ensuring the agreement.
There are many different combinations of product offerings, types, and price points that you can get with a broker's help and personal knowledge of your preferences. Brokers can also help you find the best rates with your chosen vessel.
Choose a Broker Who Knows Yacht Types—They Will Save Time and Money
The first thing that you should consider when choosing a broker is their knowledge of yacht types and knowledge of the specific geographic location you are wanting to charter from. You want to be sure that the yacht broker knows about yachts from a logistical standpoint.
When choosing a broker, ask them what their boat type background is and how many yachts they have rented or sold. You want to find someone knowledgeable, so they can tell you what to look for in a charter boat and negotiate on your behalf during the negotiation process. By talking with a broker with experience working with vessels like yours, you can be sure that everything will work out perfectly.
A broker with a wide range of experience should be able to help you find a yacht and negotiate the price of your charter in less time. Only use brokers who can assist you with this process because searching for your yacht and negotiating with rent/yacht owners is important to your trip booking success.
Keep It Legal
US Coast Guard limits bareboat charters to 12 passengers maximum. Please be advised that if your yacht broker is allowing more than 12 passengers on a vessel that hasn’t received a commercial endorsement, the charter is illegal.
When Should I Book My Yacht Charter?
In order to make the most of your time on your yacht charter, you'll want to make your reservations early. The closer you get to the date that you want to rent a yacht, the less chance there is to book the dates you want. For term charter of 7 days or more, we would always advise you to book no less than 9-12 months in advance. For day charter a booking 30 days prior is normally something we would recommend.
Final Thoughts
A yacht charter is a unique experience, and can be an expensive one. Make sure you thoroughly research your potential charter company and know what type of boat it is you want. Be clear on expectations and maintain an open dialogue with your yacht broker. If you need assistance with booking your next yacht charter, please contact a Barton Yacht broker. We pride ourselves on complete transparency and we