How to charter a yacht: a complete guide
As most of you know, as well as conducting RYA, MCA and our own internal training courses, we also offer yacht charter to qualified sailors.
While many of our customers are experienced charterers, we know it can feel daunting to charter a yacht for the first time after completing an RYA Day Skipper practical course. That’s why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide, covering the do’s and don’ts, practical tips, and everything you need for a smooth, enjoyable experience.
Pick a boat
The first step is deciding how long you want to charter and what size boat suits your crew and sailing ability. We recommend newly qualified sailors start small. Our 36–38′ yachts are the perfect introduction, three double cabins with all the facilities you’d expect, without being overwhelming.
Choose your crew carefully
One thing that can make or break your charter? The people you invite along. Yacht charters are wonderfully sociable but also uniquely close-knit, living, sailing, and relaxing in close quarters where teamwork makes all the difference. Before sending out invites, think about who will genuinely add to the fun.
Choose crewmates who are up for adventure and get along well together. Shared interests, a positive attitude, and a bit of patience go a long way at sea. It’s worth having a chat beforehand about everyone’s sailing experience and expectations. A good crew can make your trip smooth sailing; a mismatched group will be one to remember for all the wrong reasons.
If you need more experience at sea before your first charter as skipper, our Mile Building weekends are a great way to log sea miles with an instructor on board.
Choosing your destination
For your first charter, picking the right cruising ground makes all the difference. We suggest sticking to well-travelled waters, the Solent, the Mediterranean’s sun-kissed coastlines, or the turquoise anchorages of the Caribbean. These destinations are popular for good reason: a wide choice of yachts, established cruising routes, reliable marinas, and straightforward travel logistics.
For those dreaming of skippering the wilds of Antarctica, hold that thought for a future voyage once you’ve got a few trips under your belt. For now, stick to trusted waters where stress stays low and you can focus on enjoying the sailing.
What does it cost to charter a yacht?
The cost varies depending on yacht size, location, and whether you want a full crewed experience or a bareboat charter. A typical whole-yacht charter with a professional crew can start from £30,000–£40,000 per week and upwards, not including food, fuel, or mooring fees. Budget an additional 30% for these extras, collected upfront as an Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA).
For smaller groups, some companies offer single-cabin bookings on crewed catamarans from around £5,000–£6,000 per person, all-inclusive. In the UK, expect to pay from £1,000–£4,000 for a week’s charter, with Monday-to-Friday trips offering the best value. Our typical weekly rate for the fleet is £2,000–£3,000, and regular charterers enjoy a discount with us.
Don’t forget that local taxes such as VAT may be payable depending on where you set sail, always check what’s included before you book.
Booking your charter
Once you’ve chosen a yacht and duration, give us a call on 023 9250 4443 or email us, and we’ll provide a quote. Our most popular duration is the standard weekend charter: 5pm Friday to 4pm Sunday, typical for UK charter companies.
This is also the time to decide between a bareboat charter (you skipper and crew the yacht yourself) or a skippered charter with one of our experienced skippers who know the local waters and the best places to visit ashore.
Qualifications required
You need at least an RYA Day Skipper practical qualification gained in UK waters. This isn’t us being fussy, it’s our insurance requirement. If you’re an experienced sailor without formal RYA qualifications, don’t worry. We’ll ask some basic questions and a practical demonstration of your abilities: departing the pontoon, manoeuvring under power, basic handling, and returning safely.
If you haven’t yet reached Day Skipper level, our RYA Competent Crew course is the perfect starting point.
The handover paperwork
We run through a complete handover of the boat, explaining its features, fixtures, fittings, and how everything works. This takes around 30–45 minutes and includes an engine check demonstration. We also go through the boat stem-to-stern to assess any signs of damage, noting everything on condition sheets to protect everyone involved.
We strongly recommend using your phone to video or photograph the boat on collection, particularly the hull, stanchions, guard wires, hatches, and deck fittings, which take the most wear and tear.
Insurance and security deposits
The boat is insured by us for loss, so that’s one less thing to worry about. We do however need a security deposit of £3,000 (or £1,500 under our reduction scheme at £45/day). If you damage the boat, repair costs are deducted from this deposit.
While you’re in charge of the yacht, it’s your responsibility. If another boat collides with you and is at fault, they pay. Whatever happens, take down their details and call us. We may come out to inspect the boat and confirm you’re happy to continue.
We advise taking out yachtsman’s insurance to protect your security deposit, covering cancellations and other contingencies. Companies like Topsail Insurance provide affordable cover, and we may ask if you’ve arranged it during the handover.
Enjoy your charter
Once the paperwork and deposit are sorted, it’s time to enjoy yourself. Prepare the boat for sea, stow your kit, brief the crew, and depart. On your return, stop at the fuel berth to fill up with diesel (the fuel fob and instructions are provided at handover, giving you berth-holder rates).
Bring the boat back to your departure berth, approach slowly, secure your lines, and relax. We ask that you clean the boat down inside and out, or we can do this for a standard fee of £150 (let us know at booking). We’ll provide a bucket, soapy water, deck brush, and mop.
When you’re ready to leave, we’ll inspect the boat, check for any scrapes or breakages, and have a chat about your trip. If everything’s in order, we’ll sign off the paperwork and release your security deposit back to your card.
What first-time charterers say
Our first-time charterers often say their biggest surprise is wishing they’d taken the plunge sooner. Guests frequently mention how impressed they are with the personal attention we provide. Those preference sheets you fill out? We really do review them carefully, from your favourite snacks to your preferred sailing pace.
If you have questions about your first charter, don’t hesitate to ask when you arrive. We’ve likely heard it before and are always happy to help.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide and that your questions are answered. We look forward to seeing you at Gosport Marina soon.
The Commodore Chronicles
About sailing with commodore yachting
Commodore Yachting has been delivering RYA-accredited sailing courses from Gosport Marina on the Solent since 1999. Over the past 25+ years, our qualified instructors have trained thousands of students in the challenging tidal waters of the South Coast, building genuine sailing competence that transfers to any destination worldwide.
The Solent offers one of the UK’s most rewarding sailing environments. Its complex tides, diverse ports of call, and changeable weather conditions create a proper classroom. Navigating the shipping lanes near Portsmouth Harbour, picking up a mooring in Newtown Creek, planning a passage across to the Isle of Wight, every trip teaches lessons you simply cannot learn in calmer, non-tidal waters.
We offer courses from RYA Competent Crew through to Yachtmaster Fast Track. Our all-inclusive pricing covers tuition, accommodation on board our Bavaria yachts, all meals, wet-weather gear, lifejacket hire, safety equipment, and free marina berthing. Group sizes are capped at 5 students per course for proper one-to-one attention.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Do I need previous experience to charter? A: Yes, you need at least an RYA Day Skipper practical qualification for bareboat charter. If you’re not there yet, start with our Competent Crew or Day Skipper courses.
Q: What yachts are available for charter? A: Our fleet of Bavaria cruising yachts ranges from 36 to 44 feet, each with multiple cabins, full navigation electronics, and comprehensive safety equipment.
Q: Can I hire a skipper? A: Absolutely. We offer skippered charters with experienced skippers who know the Solent waters and can help you build confidence while you enjoy the holiday.
Q: What’s included in the charter price? A: The yacht, insurance, and basic equipment. Fuel, food, mooring fees, and optional cleaning are extra. We’re transparent about costs and happy to walk you through everything.
Q: What happens after I qualify? A: You can join our Mile Building weekends to build experience, charter from our fleet, or progress to the next RYA level. Many students return year after year.
Why the Solent is the uk’s best training ground
The Solent offers everything a sailor needs to develop genuine competence: strong tides, busy shipping lanes, a variety of ports and anchorages, and weather that can change from flat calm to a solid Force 6 in hours. Sailors who train here develop skills that transfer anywhere in the world.
Our base at Gosport Marina puts you at the heart of it all. Within minutes of casting off, you’re sailing with Portsmouth Harbour, Spithead, and the Isle of Wight approaches within easy reach. See our joining instructions for travel details.
Our fleet and facilities
Our Bavaria cruising yachts (36–44 feet) are fitted with Raymarine chart plotters, autopilot, VHF radio, liferaft, and full safety equipment. Serviced annually with regular upgrades, the fleet is maintained year-round by our dedicated team.
We provide Henri-Lloyd wet-weather gear, Baltic automatic lifejackets, and all safety equipment free of charge. Our yachts are generously provisioned on courses, all meals, snacks, and soft drinks included, so you can focus on sailing.
About the author
This guide was written by Tom, RYA Yachtmaster Instructor and owner of Commodore Yachting. With over 15 years of Solent training experience, Tom has taught hundreds of students from complete beginners through to Yachtmaster level. Based at Premier Gosport Marina, our team is dedicated to providing the highest standard of RYA training on the South Coast.
For official information on RYA training standards, visit the Royal Yachting Association website.
