Methodology
Last updated November 4, 2026
Every number on this site is either sourced or labelled as an estimate. This page explains the difference.
1. Primary sources first
For contract and cost topics we start with the operator's published terms, standard industry agreements (MYBA terms for crewed charters), and public regional guidance on VAT and licensing. We link the exact document, not a summary of it.
2. Cost models show their inputs
Charter-cost estimates use visible inputs: base rate, APA percentage, VAT tier, tip percentage, and fixed add-ons such as a damage waiver. Our calculator exposes all of them so you can replace each with your own quoted numbers. We do not present a single "average cost" as if it were a quote.
3. Operator selection
We compare fleet age, published terms, and price structure, not marketing. An operator earns a recommendation when it meets a defined constraint (for example, transparent damage-waiver caps, or a modern bareboat fleet in the destination). We disclose affiliate relationships on every page.
4. What we have not chartered
We do not run every fleet we write about. When a claim comes from published terms, industry surveys (such as tipping averages), or charterer reports, we say so. When our experience is second-hand, we do not imply that it is first-hand.
5. Sources we work from
| Source type | What it decides | How it is cited |
|---|---|---|
| MYBA / fleet charter agreement | APA, cancellation, deposit and waiver terms | Clause described in the text, contract named |
| Operator rate sheets | Weekly base bands by season and yacht | Band reproduced with the month checked |
| National VAT guidance | Rate, reduced tiers, place of supply | Country and rate, linked to the authority |
| Port and marina tariffs | Berthing, transit log, park fees | Fee range with the port named |
| Published industry surveys | Tipping averages and crew cost norms | Named as a survey, never as a quote |
When two sources disagree, the page says which one it followed and why. A rate that cannot be traced to a document is labelled an estimate, and an estimate is never presented as the price of a specific week on a specific hull.
6. Corrections
If a source changes or a reader finds an error, we update the article and the "last updated" date. Email contact@superyachtcharterguide.comwith the page and the correction.
What we do not verify
We do not step aboard every yacht, verify every quoted price in real time, or audit operator insurance documents. When a number comes from published terms or a charterer report, the article says so. When a claim is ours, it is labelled as an estimate.