How much to charter a yacht for a week? The honest math

How much to charter a yacht for a week comes down to size, season, and how you cruise. Take a 50ft crewed catamaran in the Caribbean in May. Base rate around $15,000. Many Caribbean boats quote all-inclusive, so meals and drinks are already in.

Now the same week on a 40m motor yacht in the Med in August. Base rate maybe €120,000. Add 30% APA (€36,000) for fuel and provisions, VAT near 20% in France or 22% in Italy, plus 10-15% crew gratuity. The week lands close to €200,000.

Same seven days, wildly different trips. The honest math: multiply the Med base rate by about 1.4, and a Caribbean all-inclusive rate by about 1.1-1.2.

Where the extra goes, line by line:

• APA: fuel, food, drinks, dockage, paid up front and reconciled
• Tax: VAT in the Med, local permits or charter tax in the Caribbean
• Gratuity: 10-15% Med, 15-20% Caribbean, always discretionary

Sources: Songs in the Sails

Pick the boat first, then multiply honestly. That is the whole trick.