What will the charter actually cost?
The base rate is the easy part. This calculator adds APA, VAT, tips, and insurance — the numbers most first-time charterers miss.
Estimate only. Regional VAT treatment of APA differs; MYBA contracts add a 5% broker fee and 5% captain's disbursement allowance on top of APA expenses. Cancellation insurance (~3–5% of charter cost) toggles as an add-on.
How the estimate works
A crewed charter invoice builds as base rate + APA (20–35% on MYBA terms) + VAT on the taxable base + tip (5–15% of base, handed to crew at the end). Bareboat contracts replace the APA with your own provisioning, fuel, and port fees, plus a refundable security deposit you can trade for a damage-waiver fee.
What is not included
- Repositioning fees to reach your desired start port or area.
- Onshore accommodation, meals, and transfers before and after the week.
- Optional watersports toys that are charged as extras by some fleets.
- Personal travel medical insurance and crew-side exclusions on the owner's policy.
Three example weeks
| Charter | Base | Add-ons | All-in (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bareboat 47 ft cat, Croatia, 8 guests | $7,500 | 13% VAT, $500 waiver | ≈$9,000 ($1,125 pp) |
| Crewed 70 ft cat, BVI, 6 guests | $42,000 all-in style | — | ≈$42,000 ($7,000 pp) |
| Crewed superyacht 100 ft, Greece, 10 guests | $80,000 | 30% APA + 5.2% VAT + 10% tip | ≈$112,000 ($11,200 pp) |
The per-head figure falls quickly with group size on crewed yachts and stays relatively flat on bareboats, where line items track usage rather than the passenger manifest.
What the calculator cannot tell you
- Week-specific seasonal pricing — high season can double shoulder-season base rates.
- Delivery fees or positioning charges for your start port.
- Owner-quoted discounts, last-minute deals, and slot gaps the broker negotiates.
- Whether a fleet's damage-waiver terms cap accessories as well as the hull.
How to use the result
Run the calculator three times: at the shoulder-season rate, the peak rate, and the peak rate plus an extra 10% on the APA for a heavier-use week. The spread shows how much the calendar itself changes the budget, which should shape your travel dates before your destination list.
Then replace the defaults with two written quotes from different operators in the same destination. The calculator cannot see fuel charges, crew count, or the contractual tip policy; a written client agreement can. The charter cost hub covers every line item in detail. | Charter cost hub
Common questions
Is APA included in the quote?
Rarely. Crewed quotes show the base rate first; the APA of 20–35% covers fuel, food, drinks, and dockage and is reconciled after the week.
Does VAT apply to the APA as well?
Treatment varies by country. Greece taxes at a reduced tier depending on route; this calculator applies VAT to base + APA so the estimate leans conservative.
Are crew tips mandatory?
No, but customary. 5–15% of the base rate is the standard range, and 2024 Caribbean reports averaged near 14%.