How do I charter a yacht?

Looking for a luxurious holiday? Spending a few days aboard a yacht is an unforgettable experience. So what criteria should you take into account when chartering a yacht, and how can you find the one that’s right for you?

Call on a yachting broker

A yacht broker is someone who finds the ideal charter for you to enjoy your dream holiday aboard an exceptional vessel. A good broker is an experienced person, used to working in the yachting world for several years.

He or she must therefore be able to find a yacht suited to your needs and available for charter in the area requested, in both high and low season. But he must also select a captain and all the crew members.

When your broker quotes you the price of the boat, it is the default weekly rate. This amount generally includes boat insurance. However, it does not include all the costs you will have to pay. This is only 60-80% of the total amount you will ultimately have to pay.

Size and type of yacht

The first criterion to take into account when chartering a yacht is the boat’s length. Rates can vary widely depending on this.

• For a yacht between 20 and 24 metres: $20,000 to $80,000 per week.
• Between 24 and 30 metres: 80,000 to 120,000 dollars a week.
• Over 30 metres: over 100,000 dollars a week.
• Over 60 metres (‘superyacht’ category): between $300,000 and $1,000,000 a week.

The model of yacht is also important to consider: is it a motor catamaran, a sailing catamaran or a motor yacht?

Like a sailing yacht, a motor catamaran is very suitable for charter because of the space on board. Wider than monohulls of the same length, they offer more space thanks to a wider central platform.

What’s more, these boats can reach speeds of up to 47 kilometres per hour, making them faster than most monohulls. What’s more, the boat pitches very little and sailing comfort is enhanced by the much greater stability provided by the two hulls.

Finally, motor catamarans have a shallower draught, which means they can visit more remote areas and get closer to coves. Ideal for discovering places that are a little more inaccessible!

It’s possible to charter a yacht for an excursion at sea!

The vast majority of the population can’t afford to buy a yacht or even get on board one. Yachts are much larger than traditional motorboats and catamarans, which means they need a wider cruising area.

They are also mainly intended for people who live close to the coast and want to get away from it all for a while. Sometimes these boats are equipped with sails and masts, making them more difficult to handle than motorboats. So you won’t be able to sail safely without the services of an experienced skipper and crew.

If you want to hire a yacht for your next cruise, call Arthaud Yachting. We offer a comprehensive catalogue of yachts for purchase or charter, so that you can enjoy an extraordinary nautical experience.