Yacht Types for Charter
Deciding which type of yacht is best for your charter is one of the most important elements of planning a yacht charter. Each yacht type has its own characteristics and allows you to experience the ocean in a different way. Whether you are looking for fast, luxurious cruising or relaxed sailing with spacious, family-friendly accommodations, there is a yacht type to suit every need and preference.
As you plan your charter, this guide provides an overview of the various yacht types available for charter and explains how each is best suited to different travel styles and itineraries.
Types of Yachts Available for Charter
Several yacht types are available for charter, each offering a distinct experience on the water. Knowing how these yacht types differ makes it easier to choose the option that best matches your travel style and itinerary.
Motor Yachts
Motor yachts are the most commonly chosen option for luxury charters. They are powered by engines rather than sails and are designed for speed, comfort, and versatility. Because motor yachts can travel efficiently between ports and locations, they are particularly well-suited to itineraries that include multiple stops, islands, or anchorages within a limited timeframe.
Motor yachts typically feature spacious, air-conditioned interiors, private en-suite cabins, and multiple social areas both indoors and outdoors. Many also offer premium amenities such as sun decks, shaded dining areas, hot tubs, beach clubs, and stabilizers, which enhance comfort both underway and at anchor.
Travelers who prioritize comfort, personalized service, and the ability to see more in less time often find motor yachts to be the most suitable option.
Sailing Yachts
Sailing yachts are designed to offer a more traditional, wind-powered charter experience. While most modern sailing yachts are equipped with engines, sailing remains the primary mode of propulsion, providing a quieter and more immersive connection to the natural environment.
Compared to motor yachts, sailing yachts generally travel at a slower pace, which appeals to guests who enjoy relaxed cruising and the experience of harnessing the wind. Interior spaces may be more compact; however, sailing yachts still offer comfortable cabins, social areas, and professional crew service on fully crewed charters.
Experienced charter guests, or those who place as much importance on the journey as the destination itself, often choose sailing yachts.
Catamarans
Catamarans are multi-hulled yachts characterized by their wide beam, excellent stability, and expansive deck space. Unlike monohull yachts, catamarans feature two hulls, resulting in increased living space and a stable platform that minimizes motion both at sea and while anchored.
Because of their wide beam and shallow draft, charter catamarans are particularly popular with families and groups. They often offer multiple cabins of similar size, large open-air lounging areas, and easy access to the water.
Catamarans can be either sailing- or power-driven and are well suited to relaxed cruising, island hopping, and social onboard living.
Gulets
Gulets are traditional wooden yachts primarily found in the Eastern Mediterranean. They combine classic craftsmanship with modern comforts and are typically operated as fully crewed charters.
Gulets typically feature spacious decks for dining and lounging, along with comfortable cabins below deck. They are generally used for relaxed coastal cruising rather than long-distance travel and are ideal for guests who appreciate history, regional character, and a slower pace of exploration.
Comparison of Yacht Types
Each yacht type offers a distinct charter experience, and the right option depends mainly on how you wish to travel.
Motor yachts offer the highest speed, range, and onboard luxury, making them ideal for itineraries with multiple destinations or where comfort is a priority. Sailing yachts emphasize the sailing experience itself and are best suited to guests who enjoy a slower pace and wind-powered travel. Catamarans offer exceptional interior and exterior space and are particularly well-suited for families or larger groups, while gulets provide a classic, region-specific charter experience.
Understanding these differences helps narrow your choices before selecting a specific yacht for charter.
What to Consider When Choosing the Right Yacht Type
Several key factors should be taken into account when deciding which yacht type is best suited to your charter, including:
- Number of Guests: For larger groups and corporate charters, catamarans and larger motor yachts are often the most practical options. Couples or small families may find smaller motor or sailing yachts to be more suitable.
- Desired Speed and Pace: If you plan to visit multiple charter destinations efficiently, motor yachts offer the highest speed and the greatest flexibility. For a more relaxed journey, sailing yachts and gulets provide a slower cruising rhythm.
- Location and Destination: Some regions are better suited to specific yacht types. Destinations with numerous islands and short distances between them work well for all yacht types, while areas with greater distances between key locations are often better suited to motor yachts.
- Comfort Expectations: Motor yachts typically offer the highest level of onboard comfort, with spacious interiors, stabilizers, and a wide range of amenities. Catamarans provide excellent stability and generous deck space, while sailing yachts focus more on simplicity and the sailing experience.
- Experience Level: First-time charter guests often prefer motor yachts for their stability, ease of cruising, and full-service amenities. More experienced charter guests may choose to explore sailing yachts or other yacht types based on their preferences.
Fully Crewed Charters
Most luxury charters are fully crewed, regardless of the yacht type selected. A professional crew oversees navigation, safety, and onboard service, enabling guests to relax and enjoy their time onboard.
Crew composition varies by yacht size but typically includes a captain, chef, steward or stewardess, and deckhands. This level of service is consistent across all yacht types.
More Information About Yacht Types
There are many ways to experience a charter at sea, and the type of yacht you choose will shape your overall experience. Explore our dedicated guides for motor yachts, sailing yachts, catamarans, and other yacht types to gain deeper insight into each option and determine which best suits your plans.
If you are unsure which yacht type is most appropriate for your itinerary, group size, or travel style, a yacht charter broker can help you compare options and guide you to the best fit.
