Sponsored by Bespoke Yacht Charter
‘How long is a piece of string?’ is the quick answer to this question. The variation in charter yacht pricing and facilities is simply breathtaking, with crewed motor yacht charters on the French Riviera beginning at around €20,000 per week for smaller yachts, and soaring stratospherically upwards to over €1 million per week for the finest megayachts - complete with helipads, elevators, beach clubs, and infinity pools.
It’s fair, then, to say there are some gaps in pricing and facilities. And in those gaps lies your opportunity to join the superyacht set. You may have to sacrifice the infinity pool, but you don’t have to sacrifice the dream.
With more superyachts joining the charter fleet every year, yacht charters are more affordable than ever before. And once you factor in sharing the cost of your charter with a group of family and friends, yacht charter at the small to medium motor-yacht range becomes financially comparable to other luxury holiday options on the French Riviera such as high-end hotels, villas, and cruise ships. And when it comes to experiences…well, luxury yachts win that contest hands-down.
Yet there’s still a great deal to know before booking your first charter yacht. Yacht charter costing is not as simple as paying the weekly charter fee and cruising off into the sunset. Just like other holiday options, there are extras to pay such as food and beverage costs, as well as yachting-specific costs such as fuel and berthing fees.
There are also some great free inclusions, and ways to save yourself money— if you’re clever about it. Your charter broker will be able to take you through all this in greater detail, but it's nice to have an idea beforehand about average pricing and what you get for your money.
So it's time to ask yourself what's an entry level yacht, what you will get at difference price points, what's included, what are the hidden costs and how you can reduce your outlay. Thankfully Bespoke Yacht Charter has answers to all of these questions.
A superyacht, by most definitions, is any crewed leisure yacht over 24m, or 78 feet. But don’t get too hung up on length, as there are some luxurious and attractively-priced yachts in the 18-24m range too, and this is where many first-time charterers choose to start their yachting journey.
Size and price ranges: What can you expect?
The descriptions and prices below are guidelines only, and modelled on motoryachts rather than sailing vessels, which tend to be cheaper.
18-24m: In this size range you’ll usually get 3 luxury cabins sleeping 6 people, although some have 4 cabins sleeping 8. Many of the yachts in this sector are sporty yachts with modern interiors which can streak down the Riviera coastline in a blur of speed and fun, but there are also a few older displacement yachts in this fleet too, with bigger interior volumes, two decks, and a more classic luxury yachting feel.
What you prefer is entirely up to you. Where the sport yachts have the speed, displacement yachts have stability. Yachts in this size range will normally have 2 to 3 crew, including a captain, chef and/or stewardess. This range of yachts normally charters out in the €18,000-32,000 per week range, although this figure can be higher for newer yachts with certain facilities or a particularly strong brand name.
24-30m: In this size range you'll generally have 4 cabins accommodating 8 guests, although some yachts will also have a fifth cabin. Again, there is a mix of sport yachts and displacement yachts in this sector, although the displacement, two-deck yachts become more common in this range.
Expect larger deck and interior spaces, as well as the appearance of special features on the newer yachts, such as drop-down balconies and swim platforms. These yachts normally run with 2-4 crew. Yachts in this size range can vary quite dramatically in price based on their size, age and facilities, but an average estimate runs between €30,000 and €60,000 per week.
31-40m: This size range has an incredible amount of variation. As the yachts move towards 40m, you''ll find the first tri-deck yachts, with onboard Jacuzzis, an upper and lower salon and swim platforms. There are also quite a lot of older superyachts in this range, so you may get some fantastic bargains on classic motoryachts which have been refitted.
In the 30-40m range you'll often have 5 cabins for 10 guests, and 'cabins' become 'staterooms', with more space and amenities. Generally yachts in this range have all of their guest accommodation on the lower deck, sometimes with split-stairwells to give privacy to the master cabin or for shared family charters. Some yachts will have the master stateroom on the main deck- an extremely attractive feature.
You can generally expect 4-7 crew, and a much larger selection of water-toys and onboard equipment, due to larger storage space. As you can imagine, pricing varies hugely in this sector, beginning at around €35,000 per week and ranging up to €150,000.
41-50m: We've talked about price variation before, but in this sector there's the biggest range of all. For many years, the richest people on earth had yachts in this size range- and many still do, despite being able to afford much larger yachts.
The 40-50m size range is extremely attractive, as you'll find main deck master suites which stretch the full beam of the yacht, often complete with offices and huge bathrooms. At the upper end of the range, you'll frequently find a VIP stateroom on the upper deck, as well as four staterooms on the lower deck, bringing guest capacity to 12.
Sundeck Jacuzzis are fairly standard at this level, and the tri-deck yachts will offer three or more exterior dining and entertaining spaces. There are also classic yachts in this size range that can present good charter opportunities. 40-50m yachts will generally run with 7-12 crew, providing an exceptional level of service, and charter out from anywhere from €75,000 to the high 200,000s.
50m+ In this range you take all the wonderful features of the 50m yacht, and start adding to them. A private owner's deck is relatively common, as are tender garages with a wealth of watertoys and boats. Gyms are a popular addition, and elevators start becoming a feature too.
Over 65m is where you generally start to see helipads, beach clubs and cinemas, as well as the occasional onboard spa. Yachts over 70m take things even further, with all of the above, plus infinity pools, split-level master suites, and dance floors. We can dream, can't we?
100m+ enters the realm of the small ship, with swimming pools, huge suites, and sporting courts. Crew numbers start at around 12 for over 50m, rising to around 20 in the 65-70m range, and can go as high as 50 crew for the 100m+ yachts. As for the cost? If you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it. On average, 60m+ will be around €400,00 per week, rising up to around a million.
Things to consider
One important thing worth noting is that large yachts normally also only accommodate 12 guests, as this is the general passenger license for luxury yachts. The exceptions to this rule are those rare yachts which have a commercial passenger license, such as the very large megayachts or, more affordably, expedition yachts which were converted into luxury superyachts from commercial vessels. There are some good bargains to be had on these large expedition yachts if you have a larger group, so ask your broker for recommendations.
You may also find that there are some huge differences in charter prices that can’t be easily explained by the age of the yacht or even the onboard facilities. This is where your charter broker’s expert industry knowledge comes in, as these pricing discrepancies may come down to different brands of yachts or the names of certain designers. Your broker will be able to explain why a yacht commands a certain price.
What's included in the charter fee?
Quite understandably, many first-time charterers think that their charter fee covers all costs, but unfortunately that’s not the case. Your charter fee includes the use of the yacht and its facilities and watersports for the week, the professional crew, including captain, and chef/stew for the smallest yachts, ranging up to large crews with specialist skills such as watersport instructors and masseuses.
Your charter fee covers crew salaries and their food, but not tips, which will be covered in the next section. These days, almost all charter yachts have Wi-Fi and advanced entertainment systems with movies, music, and games onboard. As far as value goes, you have a luxury hotel to yourself, with a private staff entirely dedicated to your group and no-one else, free watersport usage and instruction, and your ‘hotel’ takes you wherever you need to go. No need for spending time in summer traffic or moving hotels from one end of the Riviera to another!
What's not included in your charter fee?
Just as you’d pay for food and other extras on a hotel or villa holiday, a charter yacht vacation comes with extra costs. None of these expenses are hidden as they’re very clearly stated in the charter contract, and your charter broker will explain them to you in detail before booking.
At Bespoke Yacht Charter, we’re not in the business of luring you in with a low price and then signing you up for a vacation that will pressure your finances. We want you to remember your first yacht charter forever - for all the right reasons.
Charter agreements can vary, but the following items are normally not included in your charter fee: fuel costs, including fuel for the generator, yacht tender and watertoys such as jetskis, berthing fees, as well as any shore power or water you use in the marina. French Riviera charters have 20% VAT applied to the charter fee. This can be reduced by entering international waters, a cruise to Portofino, Corsica or Sardinia for example.
Food and drink. All meals, snacks, alcohol and soft drinks are charged. Water on yachts is not drinkable, so bottled water is also extra. Other consumables. Some yachts charge for consumables such as sunscreen and toiletries.
While tipping is not compulsory, it is industry standard, with a recommended rate of 5-15% of the charter fee, which is given to the captain and shared between the crew evenly. (You may never see the yacht’s engineer, but you may not get far without them…)
Most contracts will include a provision to say that if damage is caused to the yacht where the client is at fault, the charterer will be liable. A common issue on yachts is damage of teak decking and furniture due to unsuitable suntan oils, and cleaning or replacement fees of linen due to heavy waterproof makeup that the crew cannot launder successfully onboard.
Communication costs such as the use of satellite phone and sometimes internet. Any other incidental costs, such as getting masseuses to the yacht on your request, newspapers and magazines, or buying fresh lobster from the fishermen who come to the back of the yacht.
Delivery fee. If you are not chartering in the yacht’s normal cruising ground, you may have to pay delivery costs for the yacht to arrive in the area for your charter. This would be uncommon in the case of French Riviera charter yachts.
How does the money work?
When you sign a charter contract, you’ll be asked to give a 25-30% deposit to the broker called an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), which will be forwarded to the yacht so that the captain and crew can stock the yacht with food, drink, and fuel before your arrival, as well as pay for berthing fees and other up-front costs.
The captain keeps the APA for the duration of the charter, and will present an extremely detailed account at the end of the charter, and refund any monies not used. You are also able to get daily updates on your spending. Overall, the average cost of extras on your yachting holiday is between 25 and 50% of the charter fee, depending on how much you’re pushing the boat out (or what kind of bargain you found on the base charter rate!).
How to reduce the cost of your yacht charter holiday?
Looking at the list of extras may seem daunting, but there are many ways you can reduce your spending on a charter yacht holiday if you need to.
A sailing yacht can slash your fuel bills (for obvious reasons), while a fast, sporty motoryacht expends a great deal of fuel, but covers a lot of ground fast. If you’re looking to economise on fuel costs but want a motoryacht charter, look for a full-displacement yacht with a cruising speed of around 10 knots, which is a wonderful speed to float along the Riviera: you’ll easily be able to make it from Cannes to Saint Tropez for lunch at this speed.
Also remember that the yacht’s electricity will run on generator fuel at anchor, and on shore power if tied up to the dock. Bigger yachts cost more to run. And don’t forget to factor in the fuel for the tenders and motorised watertoys. Sometimes a slightly bigger yacht will work out more economically because it has an extra cabin, so you can increase your group numbers and push down your spend per head.
If you want a fabulous yacht with all the trimmings but are loathe to pay high season rates, consider chartering on the French Riviera in May, June, September or October, when charter rates drop dramatically and there are some splendid deals to be had. Weather-wise, June and September can be particularly lovely, while May and October weather is more variable but often still superb.
Marina fees on the Riviera can be expensive in the summer, but again, there are ways to minimise or even totally avoid this expenditure. There are stunning anchorages along the Riviera from Cap Ferrat along to Saint Tropez, so unless you are determined to go into port for the night, you can really reduce the cost of your yachting vacation by anchoring off. There are also lesser-known marinas that don’t charge quite as much for berths, so speak to your broker about planning your itinerary around reducing berthing costs. Also, remember that berthing rates are calculated on yacht length, so smaller yachts cost less.
If you leave your requests for food and drink until the last minute or don’t fill it out at all, the chef will almost certainly have to depend on a specialist yacht provisioner to source and deliver the supplies to your yacht when you make requests. If on the other hand you send your provision sheet in with plenty of time to spare, the chef should have time to provision at major supermarkets, wine merchants, fishmongers and markets, thus taking out the middleman and reducing your bill significantly.
Also, filling out your preference sheet gives you some control over how much the chef spends - ie, if you say your favourite foods are lobster and caviar and vintage champagne, expect to see a hefty bill at the end of your trip. Eating onboard the yacht is still far cheaper than eating in restaurants as you would on a conventional holiday (and you have a private chef creating exactly what you want!) But don’t fall into the trap of thinking the food is free- there’s no such thing as a free lunch, on yachts or anywhere else!
So, can luxury yachting be a cheap vacation option?
Well, no. If superyacht charter becomes dirt-cheap, it simply stops being super. The luxury is what you pay for. But as more yachts join the charter fleet, superyacht charters become more affordable than ever before, and compare favourably with other luxury travel options on the French Riviera.
A Cote d'Azur yacht charter doesn’t have to cost as much as you fear, as long as you make the right choices. Get in touch, and we’ll help you do just that. We know not everyone’s made of money, but we believe that chartering a yacht on the French Riviera is one of the great experiences of life, and not as expensive as you might think.
Brokerage company Moran Yacht & Ship has announced that 125-metre superyacht Project Gaja is sold. Moran is a project manager for this stee-hulled superyacht with an expected delivery in 2023 for a repeat client.Not much known yet about the exterior and interior designers , but it is already known that the yacht will accommodate up to 20 guests in 11 cabins, while crew quarters is for 40 people. Other key details include a beam of 18.5 metres and draught of 4.8 metres.125-metre in length, with a beam of 18.5 metres and draught of 4.8 metres, Project Gaja will be built in Northern Europe. Gaja will be equipped with all the perks superyachts have : a superyacht helipad, beauty salon, spa, sauna, swimming pool, indoor and outdoor cinema, dance floor, gym and elevator, storage room for all the imaginable toys and tenders.
January 23, 2019
Dutch shipyard Amels has announced the sale of a new 55-metre Amels 180 from the Amels Limited Editions range. Planned to be delivered in spring 2020, she will become the 25th Amels 180 delivered since shipyard Amels its Limited Editions to yacht building in 2007.“The owner will be exploring many destinations around the world,” comments Rutger Dolk from the Amels sales team. “He was looking for a yacht that was built to travel the world and that is exactly what Amels Limited Editions yachts offer. We’re looking forward to delivering this new Amels yacht to her owner in 2020.”Will Christie of Y.CO represented the buyer in this sale. Y.CO’s build team will also supervise the outfitting of the yacht. The Tim Heywood design will be completed with custom interiors by Laura Sessa.“The sale of the 25th Amels 180 is a milestone because it demonstrates the strength of our Limited Editions proposition,” notes Director Sales Rob Luijendijk. “When we first introduced our concept of fast delivery with custom interiors and a standardised technical platform more than a decade ago, I don’t think anyone expected that the market would develop so quickly. A big factor in our success is our determination to keep pushing ourselves, evolving and tailoring each Limited Editions yacht to meet each client’s unique requirements. Each yacht has its own character and the next one will, too.”The Amels Limited Editions range has grown with six designs from 55-metres to 83-metres. In total Amels has sold 40 Amels Limited Editions yachts since 2007.
January 23, 2019
Sunseeker International has announced their new model Project 8X, with a fresh design direction of Sunseeker's new generation of larger models and shows the company's passion for bringing more exciting products to market. Project 8X boasts latest cutting-edge design and innovative process of build, which drastically differs from the current Sunseeker range. She has striking lines, incredible volume for her size, a sophisticated open-plan interior and a new concept of beach club concept, offering four times the are of a traditional bathing platform design. A key feature to be found throughout the yacht is the ample exterior space; designed with entertainment in mind, she offers plentiful seating, dining and sunbathing options across multiple spaces, all with new recessed ambient lighting central to their appeal.Project 8X is set to surprise and delight at every turn. Every single element has been carefully considered in meticulous detail, exuding a sophistication and detail hitherto only found in custom superyachts.Commenting on the launch of Project 8X, Sean Robertson, Sales Director at Sunseeker International, said: “We are immensely excited about the launch of this project which we believe will dictate this sector for years to come. Her exterior and interior are fundamentally very different from the current range. Sunseeker prides itself on producing the world’s finest luxury performance motor yachts and the design and engineering behind Project 8X epitomises our next generation of larger models. Whilst each new model is still quintessentially and unmistakeably a Sunseeker, this exciting new yacht will, without doubt, reinvent the market when it launches next year.”
January 22, 2019
142-meter Project Redwood has been launched by Lurrsen. The details are coming from brokerage company Moran Yacht & Ship, which sold the yacht. This vessel is the largest yacht ever sold and built by a brokerage company in the history of yachting. Designed by the team at Nuvolari & Lenard, Project Redwood is being built to a Moran Yacht & Ship specification and her construction is being overseen by them.Image courtesy of Moran Yacht & ShipIn September, 2015 Project Redwood's sale was announced, as a 139-meter project. Now, she's 3 metre longer and boasts six deck, as well as other features, such as sports and diving centre, a large swimming pool, two helipads and a whole bunch of tenders. Completion is scheduled in 2020.Nuvolari & Lenard created her interior design, which will be able to accommodate up to 36 guests in 20 staterooms. The yacht will also be able for long-range and efficient global explorations. More details coming soon.
January 22, 2019
A new Chase Boat has entered the market and it’s quickly climbed the ranks to our number one spot, says Chase Tenders.We’re finding it difficult to find another Chase Boat that offers the perfect mix of boating and hospitality like that of the AXOPAR 37 Sun-top. High-build quality, unique in design and versatile, the Sun-Top is ideal for owners, guests and crews alike.If you’ve ever asked yourself the question ‘How does a Chase Boat benefit us more than a traditional garaged tender or RIB?’ we think the Sun-Top might be the answer. We understand that, in the world of 35 foot plus superyacht tenders, there’s a broad range of high-quality boats, all promising stand-out features that can quickly turn heads. So, to make things easier, we’ve broken down why the AXOPAR 37 Sun-Top is the Chase Tender team’s Chase Boat of choice for the coming season. Let’s start with the space on deck, offering a range of different social dimensions. The Sun-Top offers an extended length roof when compared to its T-Top counterpart; offering maximum shade and weather protection, and with a full-length Sunbrella canvas section that can be opened with ease, you can quickly turn it into an open boat. You can choose a manually-controlled canopy or upgrade to the fully electrical or fully enclosed options.Underneath the Sun-Top, there are seven fixed seating positions which can be arranged to be forward facing, or seated around a central dining table. The Sun-Top also benefits from a large foredeck seat, where you can sit back and relax or use as a sunbed. With such a large amount of deck space available, the Sun-Top provides an easy walkaround side deck, allowing guests, especially younger ones, to access all parts of the boat comfortably and safely, a standout feature compared to other typical Chase Boats of this size.You can choose to add the optional aft cabin, though as standard, the vessel offers a well-equipped double forecabin featuring a toilet, sink and air-conditioning (if specified). The aft offers a sunbed above, or you can choose a wet-bar with fridge, electric grill and sink in its place. On top of that, the vessel offers up to two drawer-type refrigerators on deck along with two large storage lockers, which holds enough food & drink for all-day hospitality. This is ideal for owners and guests pursuing an al-fresco dining experience wherever and whenever they can.For guests, there is a large amount of deck space aft and a boarding ladder, coupled with a ski frame, making the Sun-top a fantastic choice for watersports enthusiasts. This not only means you have very satisfied guests, but ensures the parent vessel as a package stands out as an exceptional charter amongst its competitors. Chase Tenders has also successfully equipped many Sun-Top models with a bow towing eye, allowing flexibility to conserve its fuel during passage making, or for all crew to be available on the parent vessel.When comparing it to the competition, the AXOPAR 37 Sun-Top comes equipped with a well specified list of options, a pair of Mercury Verado 350HP outboards (capable of 45 knots), delivery and commissioning for circa €210,000 plus TAX. Compare this to an Ex. works, Ex. TAX price of €580,000 for a Wally Tender. When you take into consideration the need to update tenders on a regular basis due to high hours, wear and the need to keep the parent vessel’s treasure chest new and appealing, the Sun-Top certainly offers excellent value.The 37 Sun-Top is available to order from Chase Tenders ready for the 2019 season!Favourite features:· Forecabin - All 37 models have a spacious and bright forecabin with lounge seating, a queen size bed, a fixed cupboard and a toilet with privacy curtains.· Sunbed on Foredeck - The foredeck features a large sunbed with cup holders and optional cushions· Adjustable table in Cockpit - The 37 TT and ST models are fitted with an adjustable table in the cockpit. The front seats can be turned to face the sofa for entertaining 7 guests by the table.· Day Cruiser Aft Cabin - All models can be equipped with a day cruiser cabin on aft deck sleeping 2 persons with twin flush Lewmar roof hatches and side windows.· Walk-around Deck - All 37 models feature a walk-around deck for easy handling and access.· Sun-Top with Sliding Canvas Section - The 37 Sun-Top gets its name from the huge sliding canvas mid section which lets you either enjoy the sunshine in the cockpit or shield yourself from strong sunlight and heat.What clients say:Tristan Mortlock, Captain of MY AWOL:"We bought "Chasing AWOL" (AXOPAR 37 ST) from Chase Tenders beginning of 2018. It was a very easy, pleasant and smooth experience. We are very happy with the result and very happy with the boat. It's been a great addition to the mother ship and we highly recommend it as a chase boat to any vessel. Big thank you to Chase Tenders, we're looking forward to a great summer".Jonathan Wiehahn, Tender Captain of MY Mischief“I’ve had the pleasure of captaining a 37 AXOPAR for the summer. She’s been a great tender and easy to manage and manoeuvre.On the managing side, as it’s a fairly basic boat, there is not much to go wrong. Everything is in an accessible place so doing my morning checks of bilges and all systems it was easy. I really like the improvements from the previous AXOPAR to the current one we have.In calm weather she gets up on the plane easily and just glides through the water. Get the trim tabs correct and trim the engines and you can easily do 48 knots. In slightly heavier conditions you just need to get your angle into the swell right and she just rides right over with easy, keeping guests dry. And close quarter manoeuvres she’s very easy to handle and with the bow thruster you can get into very tight spaces and make it look easy”.Sponsored by Chase Tenders
January 21, 2019