What types of boat can be chartered with skipper or fully crewed?
There is a wide range of yacht types to choose from for skippered and fully crewed charters. Preference depends mainly on your destination, group size, and the level of comfort or adventure you are after.
Skippered Charters
For skippered charters, the following boat types are commonly available:
- Sailing yachts (monohulls): The classic choice for those seeking a traditional sailing experience, combining performance with comfortable onboard living.
- Sailing catamarans: Highly popular for their stability, spacious decks, and shallow draft, making them ideal for coastal cruising and family groups.
- Power catamarans: Offering the roomy layout of a sailing catamaran with the added speed and convenience of motor propulsion.
- Motor yachts: While less common in the skippered-only category, some destinations offer motor yachts with just a captain for those wanting speed and luxury without a full crew.
- Gulets (in selected regions): Traditional wooden sailing vessels, particularly popular in Turkey. Gulets may be offered with a skipper and minimal crew for smaller group arrangements.
On a skippered charters, you’ll typically be responsible for provisioning and basic onboard duties, while your skipper takes care of navigation and safety.
Fully Crewed Charters
Fully crewed charters offer a more luxurious, all-inclusive experience. The available vessel types include:
- Luxury Sailing Yachts: Larger, high-end monohulls designed for comfort, style, and a premium sailing experience with a full crew onboard.
- Crewed Catamarans: A favourite for island-hopping holidays, offering generous indoor and outdoor space, excellent stability, and full crew service.
- Luxury Motor Yachts: Ideal for those seeking top-tier comfort, speed, and professional hospitality. These yachts are fully staffed to deliver five-star service on the water.
- Gulets: Beautifully crafted traditional wooden yachts, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean. Gulets typically come with a full crew, including a captain, chef, and stewards, offering relaxed cruising with plenty of character and charm.
Whether you seek hands-on adventure or complete relaxation, we’ll help you choose the best type of vessel and service level for your ideal charter holiday.
Related FAQs
Can Sail Connections help plan our Mediterranean sailing itinerary?
Yes. We can help you develop a realistic Mediterranean itinerary based on your destination, available time, sailing experience and what your group wants from the holiday.
What do you recommend about boat chartering in the Caribbean?
Chartering a boat in the Caribbean - including The Bahamas - is one of the most rewarding sailing experiences you can have. We recommend the region for its warm climate, steady trade winds, short sailing distances, and abundance of beautiful anchorages.
When should I book a charter boat in the Caribbean and Bahamas?
The best time to charter in the Caribbean and Bahamas is from December through July, with peak season running mid-December to March. That’s when you’ll find the most settled weather and lively island atmospheres that are perfect for escaping southern hemisphere winters or northern chills.
What sailing qualifications are required to bareboat charter in the Caribbean?
Unlike some other regions, most Caribbean destinations do not require a formal sailing licence to charter a bareboat. However, you must demonstrate sufficient experience and competence to safely operate the vessel.
Do I need a sailing qualifications to bareboat charter in the Caribbean?
In most of the Caribbean, you do not need a formal sailing qualification such as an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) or RYA certificate in order to take a bareboat charter. What you do need is to demonstrate sufficient sailing experience and practical knowledge to the charter operator
What’s the best time of year to charter a yacht in the Caribbean?
The Caribbean enjoys reliable trade winds and a warm climate year-round, making it one of the most consistent sailing destinations on the planet.
Which Caribbean destinations are best for yacht charters?
The Caribbean offers a wide range of charter environments, each with its own character:
Can I do a one-way charter in the Caribbean?
Yes, one-way charters are particularly popular in the Caribbean, where they open up possibilities a round trip of the same duration may not.
Which Mediterranean sailing destination should I choose?
The best Mediterranean sailing destination depends on your experience, travel dates, crew, budget and whether you prefer relaxed island hopping, stronger sailing conditions, historic towns, beaches or a mixture of everything.
Are marina and mooring fees included in the charter price?
Usually no. Marina, harbour, mooring buoy and other overnight berthing charges are generally paid locally during a Mediterranean charter.