Dealing With Yacht Brokers

In Sausalito, California, retail yacht brokers like Sandy Carney (Newport), Angela Connery (Salem) and Mary Crowley (Ocean Voyages) are looking over dozens of crewed yacht charters for just the right captains, crews, chefs and boats for their clients. These helpful concierges of the sailing charter industry are more than accommodating, suggesting calm waters for the seasick, customizing menus, redecorating boat interiors and interviewing crew members to find a good personality fit.

A yacht broker makes his or her living off commissions from a number of local charter companies, without costing you extra money. Essentially, the broker acts as your personal travel agent by interviewing crews, looking at boats and researching itineraries. There are more than 200 luxury yacht charter brokerage firms. Before selecting one, be sure they are affiliated with the American Yacht Charter Association, the Charter Yacht Brokers Association or international groups like the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association, and get references.

The yacht brokers can help you choose the right crewed yacht for your budget. For instance, sailing yachts are less expensive than power boats because they consume less fuel. Size does matter when it comes to boat prices as well. You may choose the number of crew members that come aboard to subsidize the cost. If you don't want a full crew, then some of your guests may be able to help out on deck occasionally, while the captain steers the ship. In other instances, you can hop aboard a small yacht with a few other couples you have never met for a less private, yet also less expensive, sailing vacation. Some rates include food, crew members and chef expenses, while others may only include the boat. A 10% to 25% hospitality tip is often not always factored into prices. High end charters may require advance payments, while others charge half upfront and the other half at the end of the trip.

Instead of going through individual yacht brokers, you may prefer to go directly through a particular yacht charter company instead. A sailing yacht charter company allows you a more do-it-yourself approach, where you interview the crews, walk on all the boats and choose from itineraries. Be sure that the company you choose has a history of 10+ years, a fleet of new yachts, a wide selection of styles, ethical advertising, a wealth of amenities and a friendly staff.

More about yacht brokers

Sailing Yacht

Island Packet Yachts offer impressive-looking exteriors that have evolved over the years, giving consumers what they like with subtle tweaks to each model. The solid construction and ivory gel coat contributes to the stability and durability of this sailing yacht.

Charter Yacht

A charter yacht is a type of boat you may rent for a high seas sailing vacation, with or without a crew. You may visit the Caribbean, the Alaskan waters, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic or the Pacific.