Sources, terminology and the questions worth asking
Where the authoritative definitions and industry standards actually live.
- U.S. Coast Guard — Boating Safety — Federal boating safety information and vessel documentation guidance.
- MARPA — Charter Yacht Brokers Association — Industry association for charter yacht brokers, with standard practices and consumer information.
- American Sailing Association (ASA) — The body behind widely recognized US sailing certifications used to qualify for bareboat charter.
- Royal Yachting Association (RYA) — The UK-based sailing certification body recognized internationally for bareboat qualification.
Operators, rules, costs and providers described here are those of the United States.
The reviews worth doing before you book
Charter planning has a few points worth deliberately checking rather than assuming.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6-12 months ahead | Popular destinations and peak-season dates often need booking this far in advance for the best selection. |
| At quote stage | Confirm the all-in total — base rate, APA, gratuity, fees and tax — not just the headline weekly rate. |
| Before signing | Get cancellation terms, insurance coverage and vessel/date specifics in writing. |
| Before a bareboat booking | Confirm your sailing resume and any certification satisfies both the charter company's and the insurer's requirements. |
| Before the charter | Submit dietary and provisioning preferences early enough for the crew to plan and price properly. |
| Mid-charter | Request a running APA total to track spending against the week's remaining days. |
Always confirm current dates with the official source — they move.
Checklists you can work through
Before you book a charter
- All-in cost confirmed, including APA, gratuity and fees
- Specific vessel and dates named in the contract
- Cancellation and deposit terms understood at every stage
- Insurance coverage for the vessel and yourself confirmed
- Crew experience for your specific destination discussed (crewed charters)
- Contingency plan if the vessel becomes unavailable, in writing
Before a bareboat charter specifically
- Sailing resume documented and ready to share
- Relevant certification (ASA, RYA or similar) confirmed if required
- Insurer's experience requirements checked, not just the charter company's
- Cruising ground's difficulty honestly matched to your actual experience
- Check-out sail or orientation requirement confirmed
- Emergency communication equipment and procedures understood
The mistakes that cost the most
Comparing base rates without normalizing for APA and fees
Ask every broker for the all-in total, not just the weekly rate, before comparing quotes.
Inflating sailing experience for a bareboat booking
Be honest about your actual experience — a mismatched skipper and vessel is a genuine safety issue, not a paperwork technicality.
Assuming charter income covers ownership costs
Run the ownership-vs-charter numbers with realistic net revenue, not the yacht's best possible gross charter rate.
Signing without cancellation terms in writing
Get the specific deposit and cancellation schedule in writing before paying anything.
Underestimating gratuity and provisioning extras
Budget 10-20% beyond the quoted APA for gratuity and any premium requests.
Not confirming insurance coverage as a charterer
Ask specifically what covers the vessel, the crew and you — don't assume general travel insurance covers charter-specific risk.
Glossary
The words that get used as if everyone already knows them.
APA
Advance Provisioning Allowance — a deposit, typically 25-35% of the base rate, covering fuel, food and running costs, reconciled with receipts.
Bareboat charter
Chartering a vessel without crew — you or a qualified member of your party operates it.
Crewed charter
A charter that includes a captain and crew who operate the vessel and manage the trip.
Base rate
The advertised weekly or daily charter price, before APA, gratuity, fees and tax.
Gratuity
A customary tip to crew, typically 10-20% of the base rate on crewed charters.
Delivery / repositioning fee
A charge for moving the vessel to or from your chosen starting point.
Charter management program
A service where a company markets and books charters on an owner's yacht in exchange for commission.
ASA / RYA certification
Recognized sailing qualifications used to demonstrate competence for bareboat charter.
Sailing resume
A documented record of a charterer's sailing experience, requested for bareboat approval.
Force majeure clause
Contract language addressing major disruptions (severe weather, vessel issues) beyond either party's control.
Flag state
The country under whose maritime law a vessel is registered, which can affect applicable taxes and regulations.
Skippered charter
A middle option: a professional captain aboard without full crew, between bareboat and fully crewed.