The weekly rate is roughly two-thirds of what a charter actually costs
APA, crew gratuity, fuel and fees turn an advertised rate into a real invoice that looks nothing like the brochure. This is an independent resource covering the US and global charter market — we are not a broker and take no bookings.
Where are you in the decision?
Six routes through the same subject
Pick the one that matches the decision in front of you.
What a week really costs
APA, gratuity, fuel and fees — the real total behind the advertised rate.
Read the cost breakdown →Crewed vs bareboat
Two very different experiences, cost structures and requirements.
Read the guide →What bareboat requires
The sailing resume or certification most charter companies actually ask for.
Read the guide →Ownership, honestly
What charter income really offsets, and what it usually doesn't.
Read the guide →Questions for a broker
What to ask before you wire a deposit — and what a good answer sounds like.
See the questions →Run the numbers on your own charter or ownership decision
A charter cost estimator, an ownership-vs-charter comparison, and a broker readiness checklist — all client-side.
Charter Cost Estimator
See the real total for a charter — base rate, APA, fees and tax — not just the advertised weekly rate.
Assumptions this uses
- Base rate is entered per day and multiplied by the number of days.
- Crew gratuity & provisioning is a placeholder for your APA and gratuity estimate — enter roughly 30-45% of the total base rate as a starting point.
- Tax percentage should reflect your specific charter's flag state and cruising region, which varies.
Limitations: it is arithmetic on figures you supply, not a quote. Actual APA reconciliation, currency effects and destination-specific fees can move the real total from this estimate.
Runs entirely in your browser.
APA is a deposit against expenses, not a fee
The Advance Provisioning Allowance covers fuel, food, drink, dockage and other running costs during your charter — it's paid upfront, spent by the crew on your behalf, and reconciled at the end of the week with receipts. Ask for a running total partway through and a full accounting afterward; a broker or crew who resists this is worth noting.
Ask about a cost line, a contract term or crewed vs bareboat
Five free replies a day. It explains charter structures and works through your own figures — it does not quote a boat, a week, or availability.
Send us the quote that doesn't add up
A charter quote you can't reconcile, a contract clause you want a second opinion on, or an ownership case you want stress-tested. The more specific the figures, the more useful the answer.
This is not a booking and nothing is reserved. We are not a broker or charter company — where a relevant provider category can help, we'll say which and why, and you decide whether to contact them.
Partner link — we may be paid a fee at no cost to you. How we make money.
Ready to talk to a broker
Once you know your budget, dates and party size, a licensed charter broker can give you real availability and a real quote faster than we can estimate one.
See broker options →Kit that earns its place on board
Four things charter guests actually pack. Not a ranking, and not the point of this site — the guides above are.
How we make money: some links here are partner or affiliate links and we may be paid a fee at no cost to you. It never changes what we write or how options are ordered — see our disclosure and methodology.
Soft-sided sailing bags
Hard cases have nowhere to live on board — most charter companies ask for soft luggage specifically.
Check price →Deck shoes
Non-marking soles are a written condition on most charters, not a suggestion.
Check price →Reef-safe sun protection
Required in several charter destinations, not merely encouraged.
Check price →The Yacht Charter Cost & Broker Question Guide
Everything on this site compressed into a document you can take into your first broker call: the anatomy of a real charter total, crewed vs bareboat trade-offs, contract terms that matter, and the ownership-vs-charter math.
Where the numbers turn into a real charter
This site takes no bookings and represents no broker. These are the categories where a real quote or a real listing replaces our arithmetic. Partner links are labelled; nothing here is a ranking.
How we make money: some links here are partner or affiliate links and we may be paid a fee at no cost to you. It never changes what we write or how options are ordered — see our disclosure and methodology.
Licensed yacht charter brokers
A broker with access to current fleet availability and real pricing across destinations — the only way to get an actual quote for your dates and party size.
Connect with a broker →Yacht Charter & Ownership FAQ
No hedging, no upsell — where the honest answer depends on the boat or the broker, we say what it depends on.
What does APA mean on a yacht charter quote?
APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance — a deposit, typically 25-35% of the base charter rate, that covers fuel, food, drink, dockage and other running costs during your week. The crew spends it on your behalf and reconciles it with receipts at the end; any unspent balance is usually returned, and any shortfall is billed.
Is the advertised weekly rate the real cost of a charter?
No — it's typically around two-thirds of the total. Add APA, crew gratuity (customary at 10-20% of the base rate), any delivery or repositioning fees, and taxes, and the real total is meaningfully higher than the headline number.
What's the difference between crewed and bareboat charter?
Crewed charter includes a captain and crew who run the boat, cook, and manage logistics — you show up and enjoy the trip. Bareboat charter means you (or a qualified member of your party) skipper the boat yourselves, which costs less but requires sailing experience most charter companies will verify before handing over the keys.
What qualifications do I need for a bareboat charter?
Requirements vary by charter company and destination, but most ask for a sailing resume documenting your experience, and many require or strongly prefer a recognized certification such as an ASA or RYA qualification. Some destinations legally require a license to operate a vessel of a given size.
How much should I budget for crew gratuity?
10-20% of the base charter rate is customary, paid in cash or by the arrangement the broker specifies at the end of the charter — it's a real cost of the trip, not an optional afterthought, and worth budgeting for from the start rather than being surprised by it.
Does owning a yacht pay for itself through chartering it out?
Rarely fully, and often not close. Charter income can offset a meaningful share of ownership costs for some owners, but management fees, off-season vacancy, wear from charter guests, and the owner's own reduced usage windows usually mean chartering supplements ownership economics rather than replacing them.