Charter FAQs

In some places, such as Spain and Greece, yachts need charter licences to cruise and if that’s where you decide you want to go, we’ll only shortlist yachts that have or can obtain those licences. Also, while some yachts can charter in the US, others do not meet America’s fiscal requirements and so can’t charter there. Again, we’ll only suggest yachts that can cruise where you want to go.   

Planning the perfect charter requires specialist knowledge, trusted contacts on board and on the ground, as well as first-hand knowledge of yachts, crews and locations, as well as legal contracts and local regulations to build an experience that suits you perfectly. Another reason to choose a broker is that sometimes there can be unforeseen issues with yachts or destinations and having an experienced broker to protect your interests and build a plan B is hugely reassuring. 

Creating the unforgettable is what we do at Burgess. It’s what our knowledge, experience and passion are all about. We take all the hassle out of the planning so you can just turn up and have the best holiday ever. 

Charter rates are quoted per week for the hire of the yacht. Charters over seven days are calculated pro-rata against the weekly rate divided by seven and multiplied by the number of charter days. Charters of fewer than seven days usually attract a premium, calculated as the weekly rate divided by six, multiplied by the number of days.  

High season rates usually apply to the most popular charter periods, i.e. July and August, Christmas and New Year, and are also normally applicable to all major events such as the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival. Low season rates apply to all other periods. Low and high season periods may differ for certain locations.  

When you sign the MYBA charter agreement, you pay a deposit of 50 percent of the total charter fee by bank transfer. The remaining 50 percent, plus an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), any taxes, delivery or redelivery fees and any other agreed charges, is payable by bank transfer five weeks before the charter starts. 

Along with your final charter payment, you send in your Advance Provisioning Allowance which covers all operating expenses whilst you are on board including, but not limited to food and drinks for the charter party, trips ashore, fuel for the yacht and tender(s) and any port fees. As a guide, it’s usually between 30-40 percent of the yacht’s weekly rate. 

If you want to join the yacht somewhere other than where it is, there may be a fee to cover the fuel costs of the delivery, there may be VAT charges depending on where you want to cruise, and some charters will need a security deposit.

To keep an eye on your expenditure, you can ask for an up-to-date summary of your account whenever you like during your charter, and at the end of the charter the captain will give you a full set of accounts. If, during the charter, expenditure goes over the APA figure, you’ll need to top up.  

Some yachts will have a minimum number of days for a charter, which your broker can confirm.  

MYBA, The Worldwide Yachting Association, is an international professional organisation. MYBA was founded in 1984 to promote the highest standards of ethical conduct and to set a standard for charter agreements. A MYBA contract clearly sets out terms and conditions to protect both the owner and charterer. Only established yachting companies can use MYBA contracts, so it’s your assurance that you’ll get what you pay for.  

We always recommend Cancellation and Curtailment Insurance to protect your investment if, for whatever reason, your charter doesn’t happen or is cut short. We also recommend every one in your party should be covered by Personal Accident and Medical Insurance, and personal effects should be insured against theft, loss or damage. 

You may also want other forms of insurance, such as Charterer’s Liability, and our brokers can outline what the options are and why you might need them.