Cost To Rent a Sailboat

Cost To Rent a Sailboat | Life of Sailing

Last Updated by

Jacob Collier

August 30, 2022

If you’ve ever wondered what the cost to rent a sailboat is, then you’re at the right place. Contrary to popular belief, renting a sailboat isn’t expensive.

While a sailboat is expensive to own, that doesn’t mean you can’t rent one for the weekend or the entire week. However, there are some factors that you will need to consider when it comes to renting a sailboat.

Renting a sailboat depends on the size of the vessel and how long you’ll be renting the boat. For instance, an 80-feet long sailboat can be rented for up to $30,000 a week, while bigger sailboats up to 120-feet long could cost south of $60,000. Catamarans are even more expensive to rent.

Since the cost of renting a sailboat varies depending on several factors, we have gone through many articles, blogs, and videos of experienced sailors and sailboat owners to break down the cost of renting a sailboat.

As sailing enthusiasts who frequently rent sailboats, we are in the ideal position to help guide you when renting a sailboat. The information you find here should help you make a more informed decision.

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Cost to Rent a Sailboat

Planning a yacht charter is exhilarating, but it can also be difficult, especially when estimating costs. A basic price for a yacht is the weekly charge for renting the boat. What extra fees, such as food/drink, municipal taxes, or gasoline are charterers obliged to pay in addition to basic costs.

The good news is that understanding the fundamentals of yacht charter pricing is simple. This can help you estimate the expense of your next once-in-a-lifetime vacation more precisely. A yacht charter’s price is determined by a variety of criteria, including the kind of boat, the charter destination, the base cost, and taxes.

The sort of boat you charter might also influence the price. Sportfishing and adventure boats are among the options, as are multi-hulled, motor-sail hybrids and classic yachts built up until the 1970s. Motorboats are the most common form of chartered yachts, followed by sailing yachts, which are slightly more expensive. What other costs might you anticipate? This overview, part of our Charter Advice Guide, provides an in-depth look into charter boat expenses.

Plus Expenses Charters vs. All-Inclusive

Running expenditures for bigger motorboats are not included in the rates and must be paid individually. The standard fee for these premium charters is for the boat only. Food, bar, gasoline, dockage, port fees, and other costs are invoiced individually. The operating expenditures are usually covered by an Advance Provisioning Allowance, or APA, which is normally 35 percent of the basic price paid before the charter.

All-inclusive pricing is available on some charters, mostly catamaran and monohull charters and catamarans. This implies that rates are calculated depending on the number of people and include all meals and beverages, water sports, and fuel charges. However, dockage and taxes are typically charged individually.

Renting a Sailboat for a Party or Event

What is the cost of renting a boat for a party? According to some sources, a boat party will cost up to $3,000 for four hours. Renting a boat for a party in another area of the country might be substantially less expensive. Boat rentals are the most expensive in Florida.

A maximum of 13 people may be accommodated on most 50-foot boat hires. If you want to host a larger gathering, you’ll need to rent a yacht at least 100 feet long. There are boat charters dedicated to hosting significant events. In case you were wondering, catering and entertainment are also available. The Cruisers 370 Express is one of the most affordable day yacht hires. It is a 40-foot powerboat with a maximum capacity of eight guests. For $720, you may rent this yacht for four hours.

When you hire a crew to go with your charter yacht, the price increases. Usually, you get to choose between two options: all-inclusive and extra expenditures. All passengers’ accommodations, food and drink, water sports activities, and fuel costs are included in an all-inclusive charter boat — dockage fees and taxes are payable individually. A plus expenses experience covers the yacht’s base price. Food, beverages, gasoline, dockages, taxes, and other expenses are charged individually and are often considered around 35% of the base price.

Renting a Sailboat for a Day

Perhaps you want to commemorate a significant event in your life, such as completing a long-awaited goal, receiving a significant promotion at work, or simply wishing to spoil your family or friends. Renting a boat for the day is one of your better alternatives if you have the funds. How much does a day of yacht rental cost? It might cost you anything from $1,500 to $13,000 each day, depending on the size of the boat, the facilities it provides, and whether it is crewed or not.

A 50-foot powerboat that can be chartered for 4 to 8 hours is an example of this type of vessel. With two cabins and a two-person crew, it can accommodate 13 passengers. It is available for $1,500 for four hours. You’ll have to pay $2,100 if you want to utilize it for eight hours. Its headquarters are in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Sophye, a 110-foot elegant yacht, is a good option for a longer boat. It can accommodate up to 13 people. This vessel features five cabins and four crew members, including the captain. For $11,000, you may rent this yacht for four hours. However, if you want to stay for a further eight hours, you would have to spend $13,000. For $75,000, you may have this yacht for a week. It is now docked in Miami, Florida.

Cost to Charter a Sailboat for a Week

A week of yacht chartering might cost as little as $10,000 or as much as $500,000. A sailing boat under 80 feet will cost between $10,000 and $20,000 to charter, whereas a sailing yacht exceeding 150 feet will cost over US$200,000. A motorboat under 80 feet will set you back around US$20,000, while one above 150 feet would set you back over US$500,000.

You can also choose from yacht charters with everything included. As the name implies, all-inclusive charters are available under this pricing structure. Monohull and catamaran charters in the Virgin Islands typically provide this service. The set charge covers water, power, water toys, a staff, food, and more under this pricing structure.

The basic price for a plus costs charter only covers the base fee. The standard fee for a plus costs charters only covers the boat, crew, water toys, and nothing else. Other costs are invoiced individually. Diving activities, electricity expenditures, dockage, gasoline, and taxes are just a few examples.

These additional costs are usually covered by the Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA). It is usually 25-35 percent of the base price and is paid before the charter. If you want to charter a boat, you need to know how much it costs, what factors influence the pricing, and what sorts of yachts are available. Let’s move on to the basic costs of chartering a boat.

Renting a Bareboat

A bareboat yacht charter is one in which you do not hire a professional skipper and crew. That implies you will be the one to supply skippering and crew services. You can operate the boat toward your destinations if you know how to drive a boat and have a few friends or family members with you. What does it cost to rent a boat in this manner?

The cost of bareboat charter sailing varies depending on the boat’s size. Smaller boats measuring 30 to 60 feet long might cost anything from $1,000 to $10,000 per week. Larger boats that can carry 8 to 12 people cost extra.

There are many bareboat yachts that you may rent for a day. The cost of a day on a 70-foot boat is $1,600. So, if you’re wondering how much it costs to charter a boat for a day, here is it. And it will set you back roughly $11,200 if you book it for a week. A sailboat this size can easily accommodate up to 9 to 10 people. It contains four cabins, including a master suite and a VIP suite with complete heads and showers. This boat is ideal for large gatherings because of its vast open floor design.

Factors that Affect Renting a Sailboat

Planning a yacht charter is exhilarating, but it can also be difficult, especially when estimating costs. A basic price for a yacht is the weekly charge for renting the boat. What extra fees, such as food/drink, municipal taxes, or gasoline are charterers obliged to pay in addition to basic costs?

The good news is that understanding the fundamentals of yacht charter pricing is simple. This can help you estimate the expense of your next once-in-a-lifetime vacation more precisely.

A yacht charter’s price is determined by various criteria, including the kind of boat, the charter destination, the base cost, taxes, insurance, and much more. The following is a quick breakdown of the factors that can affect the rental cost of a sailboat.

Boat Type

Because hiring a boat is not inexpensive, you must guarantee that everything is carefully organized. Whether you choose an all-inclusive plan or not, make sure you get the most out of your money. It starts by selecting the appropriate type of sailboat.

Motor Yachts

Those who have never rented a boat before usually picture themselves on a motor yacht. It’s enough to mention that it’s the most popular and plentiful yacht to lease. This charter yacht provides the most options of any type of charter yacht.

A motorboat is the best option if you’re renting a yacht for a business event, a birthday celebration, or any other large gathering. It’s bigger than a sailing boat, with high-tech sound systems and other modern features.

They are usually stocked with water devices, including paddleboards, inflatables, and jet skis. They can achieve tremendous speeds, adding to the thrill of your sailing adventure. It goes without saying that a motorboat is luxurious.

They can achieve tremendous speeds, adding to the thrill of your sailing adventure. A motorboat, of course, is ideal for both children and adults. The expense of gasoline may be a disadvantage, as motorboats use more fuel than other types of charter ships. The gasoline fee will almost certainly increase your costs. However, if you have a large group and everyone contributes to the costs, this should not be an issue. After all, it will undoubtedly be worthwhile.

Sailing Yachts

A sailing yacht may offer you an exquisite setting and a relaxing cruise. This sort of charter yacht uses traditional wind power to drive you over the ocean. The sound of the breezes will undoubtedly help you relax on your journey.

The journey is sluggish because the sailing yacht does not go at the same speed as the motor yacht. This may not be the best yacht for impatient visitors. Instead, it is excellent for individuals who want to make the most of the yacht’s facilities, similar to those found on motor yachts. Couples usually charter this since it is excellent for a romantic trip.

Catamaran Yachts

Two hulls are the most recognizable features that make up a Catamaran boat. It has more room than a monohull or a motorboat of comparable size. This yacht’s renters like the additional area for sunbathing. Guests may be able to enjoy trampolines and other equipment on a huge sundeck.

Because of their stability, catamarans are great for entering shallower seas, making them the ideal boat to lease if your vacation plans include getting near coves and islands. Catamarans are slower than motor yachts, just like sailing yachts. However, this merely means you won’t have to spend as much money on gas and will have more money to spend on other interesting things.

Destination

Another issue is the charter destination, which has a significant influence on the cost of your charter. The Mediterranean, the British Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas, for example, have lower charter fees than other destinations. This is due to a large number of charter boats in the region.

As a result, demand is great, and setting prices far above the competition is brutal. Charter prices may be higher in places with no major charter fleets. A sailing boat under 80 feet will set you back around US$20,000, while one above 150 feet would set you back over US$200,000. A modest motorboat costs around $20,000, whereas a yacht over 150 feet costs over $500,000.

Needless to say, the remoteness of the area you wish to sail is also going to be a factor to consider. The more remote a region is the more costly a boat hire. This is because, in locations with fewer boats, costs rise. If you were to travel to the Galapagos Islands, which isn’t a traditional yacht destination, you’d pay more than if you went to the Caribbean.

Season

There are two seasons: peak and off-peak. Others refer to it as the high and low seasons. The off-peak season is often referred to as the lean season. Rates vary with season, regardless of what it’s named. Charter rates are typically higher during high or peak seasons as the weather is great for yachting. Therefore, this is the season when most people go on a short holiday.

Summer in the Mediterranean and winter in the Caribbean are examples of beautiful seasons. Charter prices are reduced during the off-peak, lean, or low season. Yacht owners are logically enticed to offer low charter prices given the limited demand. As stated, the cost of a boat varies according to the season. The cost of a Mediterranean yacht charter climbs in the summer and falls in the winter, but a Caribbean boat charter is higher in the winter and cheaper in the summer.

Water Toys

This small-sounding phrase refers to a large collection of equipment that includes anything from kayaks to high-powered yacht tenders. Some boats have zorbs, sea pools (a big netted frame that keeps marine life out of a specified swimming area), and slides that may be launched straight into the water from the top of the sailboat.

Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA)

The APA is equal to 25-35 percent of the original price of the boat. This charge is usually paid before the boat is rented. During the charter, the skipper uses it as a spending account. By the conclusion of your stay, you’ll get a detailed account of costs, and any unused APA money will be returned to you in cash.

Don’t be startled if your costs during your charter surpass the cash in your APA account; it happens all the time - especially when you’re having a good time, right? You will be forced to recharge your APA account in this scenario.

Vat

Taxes and VAT are paid separately in most situations, if not all, whether you choose an All-Inclusive Charter plan or a Plus Expenses Charter package. Taxes are calculated differently depending on your charter destination.

Insurance

Charterers can purchase cancellation and curtailment insurance, which is the same as traveler’s insurance. If the visitor cancels at the last minute or decides to decrease the charter time, this will assist the charterer in covering expenditures.

Documentation

Whether high or cheap, sailboat rental fees are not the only consideration when planning a trip or some time on the water. You will also be required to supply documents. When hiring a boat, the documents required include a rental agreement, every passenger aboard the boat’s name and passport number, a copy of your identification, a license to sail if you won’t be hiring a skipper, passports, and visas (if you are traveling) and a fishing license if you’ll be fishing.

Average Weekly Cost to Rent a Sailboat

The crew number is determined by the size of the boat, which can range from a few persons (who typically wear numerous hats while onboard) to a full complement of chefs, deckhands, officers,  and stewards, in addition to the captain. The crew’s reputation has an impact on the pricing among high-end clients.

The size of the passengers does not change significantly. Smaller boats may only accommodate six people, while the SOLAS Convention (Safety of Life at Sea) established by the International Maritime Organization limits superyachts to 12 passengers. Interestingly, the treaty’s original version was adopted in 1914 in reaction to the Titanic’s disaster.

Cost To Rent a Sailboat
Jacob Collier

Jacob Collier

Born into a family of sailing enthusiasts, words like “ballast” and “jibing” were often a part of dinner conversations. These days Jacob sails a Hallberg-Rassy 44, having covered almost 6000 NM. While he’s made several voyages, his favorite one is the trip from California to Hawaii as it was his first fully independent voyage.

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