Our latest charter news
Secure the best boat for you where you want to sail: read our latest newsletter - Learn More

Bareboat Luxury at an Affordable Price: Crunching the Numbers


Posted In: Charter Sailing Holiday Tips , Charter Sailing and Sailboat Industry News

In 2019 the Bali 5.4 catamaran entered charter fleets with the bareboat option added. Until now such a large boat was only available with paid skipper and crew. This is a significant development in yacht chartering: it continues a recent trend towards larger boats progressively coming into charter on a self-skipper basis. That’s facilitated in part by technological innovations that make sailing these boats as easy as smaller craft.

Previously the Lagoon 52 was the largest bareboat cat in charter, 15.8m in length with cabin accommodation for up to 12 people. The Bali 5.4’s introduction adds another to the category of large luxury bareboats for charter; this one a metre longer with a little extra beam as well. That extra space is always welcome, especially when all six cabins are fully occupied.

In fact the Bali goes a step further than the 5 double + 1 twin of the Lagoon, offering six generous double cabins each with its own bathroom. That still leaves room for two singles in the bow as well, quite adequate for family use although mainly there for the crewed charters.  

So what does it cost to charter a Bali 5.4 bareboat if you have a group to fill it? Feedback we’ve received suggests that many people consider this boat and others of its class out of their price bracket. Breaking cost down on a per person basis however, the numbers often surprise! 

 Charter bareboat in luxury on a Bali 5.4 catamaran

Charter bareboat in luxury on a Bali 5.4 catamaran

Bali 5.4's 6 double cabin layout

Bali 5.4's 6 double cabin layout

As of September 2019, you can charter a Bali 5.4 in Naples, Italy and various parts of the Caribbean. The Mediterranean season of six months provides operators less opportunity for revenue than in the longer-season Caribbean, so first up note that charter prices are usually lower in the latter destination.

 For the Mediterranean in 2020, prices for a bareboat Bali 4.5 range from 8850€ in shoulder season to 15,475€ in peak, giving an average price of 12,162€. With 14 people aboard, you’re all set for a fantastic luxury holiday (albeit self-catering) at just 868€ per head for a week or 124€ per day. Even at 12 people, the cost is very competitive with that for a land-based vacation. Think about the hotel costs, the dining and the local transport.

Out of Naples you would need to budget for extras if planning to use marinas and/or dine ashore. But at anchor and making the most of the boat you’ve chartered, those extras can be kept completely discretionary, resulting in big savings during the course of your week.

Popular large bareboat catamaran: the Lagoon 52

Popular large bareboat catamaran: the Lagoon 52

6-cabin layout on the Lagoon 52

6-cabin layout on the Lagoon 52

In the Caribbean the average weekly price for the same bareboat Bali 5.4 comes down to 10,171€ for a week for 14 people. That’s over the whole season, and at the time you may wish to sail the price may be more, or less. But the point remains that high-end charter catamaran luxury is accessible. Holiday sailing aboard your 54ft yacht with friends and family, living a life previously reserved for the wealthy, it is affordable.

Alternatively, take the luxury aspect up a notch and put on a crew to host your group of 12. A skipper and hostess will add 2660€ to the charter. That’s still just 1235€ per person for a week in the Mediterranean and 1069€ for the week in the Caribbean. Just add your provisions, and you have your own private cruise, without the buffet queues, the tacky commercialism, and the time-consuming hassles getting on and off the ship for excursions.

Both bareboat and crewed, smaller groups makes little difference to per-person cost. The boat size is adjusted for your accommodation needs, and the total cost comes down, with less people to spread it amongst. Or conversely, charter as a small group of four and take a smaller boat at a lower price. Triple the group size and pay no extra per person.

The idea of charter sailing aboard one of the new-generation luxury catamarans is taking off. It’s such a great way to holiday at sea and see the places you’ve previously dreamed of visiting. It’s an affordable option; all you need to do is sell the concept to friends and family, and make this an activity that’s part of your world.

Note: Prices quoted in this article are intended as an indication only and exclude extras. All prices are subject to change.

Related Blog Posts

  • Charter catamarans for modest sailing holiday budgets

    Charter catamarans for modest sailing holiday budgets

    Here we highlight some smaller catamarans finding favour with our charterers in the Mediterranean and elsewhere. Robert is our expert evaluator when it comes to helping you select the right boat for your sailing charter, and the following is his personal take on recent introductions to the charter boat market.

  • The popular Bali Catamaran in all its variations

    The popular Bali Catamaran in all its variations

    The Bali catamaran, designed and built specifically with chartering in mind, has become so popular that it’s been hard to keep up with all the new models, hard to spot which one has just the right size and amenities to perfectly fit your group's sailing holiday charter needs. We can help you there.

  • Bareboating in the Mediterranean: do you have an International Sailing Certificate?

    Bareboating in the Mediterranean: do you have an International Sailing Certificate?

    A Mediterranean sailing charter is the ultimate yachting adventure for weekend sailors. An experience that’s very accessible, but keep in mind that in Europe there’s also a formal requirement for chartering bareboat.

  • Made for Chartering: the  Bali Catamaran from Catana

    Made for Chartering: the Bali Catamaran from Catana

    Leading yacht design company Catana is best known for the performance of its cruising multi-hulls. The Bali catamaran is designed with crew comfort also in mind, ideal for bareboat charter.

The Sail Connections Guarantee

One contact - every option - advice you can trust.


  • Matching any competitive offer
  • Sourcing boats with discounts available
  • Personalising our proposal just for you
  • Qualifying the operator as well as the boat
  • Advising without bias based on 25+ years of experience
  • We do more than just book yachts!

We will match any discount website offer on charter boat price, and still provide our customary high level of service.

Get in Touch

The Essential Guide to Sailing Holiday Charters

The Sail Connections Essential Guide to Bareboat and Crewed Sailing Holiday Charters is packed full of useful tips for getting the most out of your next boat charter. And it is FREE to download.

Download Guide

Enquire about a charter...

For a personal proposal structured to meet your needs, with advice on all aspects of your sailing charter.