Charter Ready

Read our advice of what to look for when purchasing a yacht to charter

Charter Ready

Charter Ready

The Y.CO Sales team on what to look for when it comes to choosing the perfect charter-ready yacht.

Charter Ready

Reap the Benefits

The benefits of chartering your yacht go beyond simply financial; not only can you subsidise your cruising costs with the income generated, but you will reap the benefits of a well-practiced, service-orientated crew every time you step on board.

Choosing the right yacht is the most important part of creating a successful charter business, and for those who get it right, spectacular cruising with reduced running costs awaits.

We asked the Y.CO Sales team to tell us what they think is important when it comes to choosing the perfect yacht for charter.

Charter Ready

Love The Layout

“The general arrangement is key to a successful charter yacht,” says Y.CO Yacht Specialist James Pool. “Yachts with good entertaining spaces and ample deck space usually make good charter yachts, as well as being attractive on the sales market when the time comes to sell. One of the crucial elements here is the cabin configuration. A lot of charters are for family groups, so having versatile cabin arrangements, such as a full-beam VIP that can be split into two guest staterooms, can give one yacht the edge over another. Yachts with less guest capacity tend to play second-fiddle to their more capacious counterparts when it comes to charter."


And how about the interior itself? “The design has to appeal to a broader market than simply the Owner. I wouldn’t say it needs to be a ‘safe’ design, but something tastefully designed with a neutral colour palette will very often do well. When yachts are listed for sale, it certainly helps if the interior was designed by a reputable yacht design studio, although it’s by no means essential.”

Charter Ready

Bigger Isn’t Always Better

“In my opinion, a successful charter operation does not come down to size but the all-round package offered by the yacht. It is all supply and demand. Yachts such as Legend (for charter with Y.CO) offer something totally different to the masses and are successful as a result. Generally speaking, though, I would say it is more challenging to run a good commercial operation on larger yachts because the client pool is a lot smaller and the operating costs are a lot higher for the owner,” continues James. Yachts like 33.5m catamaran Mousetrap, for sale with Y.CO, that have ample outdoor spaces and offer flexible cabin setups, are well-equipped for charter usage. Moreover with her shallow draft and comfortable setup, she has a wide appeal amongst a larger set of potential charter guests.

The Y.CO Charter Management Team has some highly successful yachts that are under 35m, proving that size really isn’t everything.

Spectacular Cruising At A Fraction Of The Costs

Charter Ready

Spectacular Cruising At A Fraction Of The Costs

Charter Ready

All About The Toys

“If you’ve ever popped your head into a charter show you’ll have noticed an incredible array of toys on every yacht’s lazarette,” James continues. “This is a shift that has been driven by the expectations of charter clients, so a good selection of toys is crucial. Tenders are often an after-thought when buying a yacht so it’s good to plan what you will need early to avoid disappointment.”

With the support of the Y.CO Charter team, your Y.CO Yacht Specialist can ensure the right decisions are made when buying a yacht that will eventually be for charter.

Charter Ready

Perfect Pedigree

“We recommend going for quality when buying a yacht, even if it means downsizing from your original expectations,” says James.

“A quality product improves the user experience and allows you to charge a premium charter rate. The yachts are also easier to maintain, with fewer teething problems, and will generally depreciate less and sell faster. When it comes to financing a purchase and insurance, it definitely helps if the yacht was built by a recognised, pedigree yacht builder. There is no end to the benefits of buying a quality product!”

Charter Ready

Choose A Popular Platform

“Many ‘series’ yachts are successful for a reason, so it’s always worth keeping an eye on how equivalent yachts have performed on the charter market when buying. If your yacht is not too drastically different from other yachts in the series then you can be confident in your decision.

Y.CO has recently sold a number of the popular Amels 180 Limited Editions series models and represents Galene, Spirit and Driftwood for charter, all of which have exceptional reputations amongst guests."

Charter Ready

Consider Previous Use

“Most yachts today are run to a very high standard, and if they were designed as private yachts initially, the yard will have considered future commercial use,” explains James.

“That said, the buyer’s team should research exactly what it will take for the yacht to become commercially compliant before buying if the yacht has only been used privately. The flag the yacht bears and the VAT status will also determine where the yacht can cruise and ultimately charter, and its ability to obtain charter licenses. This is the less-glamorous side of buying but these considerations are crucial to running a successful charter operation that is also law-abiding.”

Charter Ready

Enlist The Experts

If you are thinking of purchasing a yacht to Charter, it is crucial to seek the advice of someone who really knows the business. Our Y.CO sales specialists will not only help advise you on the right yacht and negotiate the purchase, but work closely with our Yacht Management and Charter Management departments to make sure you have considered everything that makes up a top-performing charter yacht.

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