Boat Charter Service: What You Need to Know and Tips

9. kolovoza 2024.

Are you dreaming of an unforgettable vacation on the azure waters? Do you want an escape filled with sun, sea, active water sports, and the tranquility of the vast blue? Then a boat charter is perfect for you. Whether you’re planning a fun day with family and friends or an unforgettable blue cruise, chartering a boat promises you a unique experience.

If you have chartered a boat before, you are likely experienced in this area; however, if you haven’t, this process might seem a bit intimidating. In this article, we will detail what you need to know about boat charter services and provide some useful tips.

Boat Charter Service

Boat charter service refers to the rental service provided by charter companies to customers, either with a crew or as bareboat. There are many charter companies available both in our country and worldwide; in addition to the basic services offered during the boat charter process, additional services can also be provided based on your needs and requests.

If you are looking to charter a boat, the first thing to pay attention to is the reputation of the charter company you choose and whether it receives positive reviews from its customers. Even if you have been chartering boats for years, the company you select is the most important factor that will affect your experience positively or negatively, from ensuring a smooth process to avoiding additional costs that might arise later. Therefore, choosing the company to charter from is very important before considering the technical features of the boats or the amenities they offer.

After selecting a reputable and well-regarded company in the industry, you should determine the purpose of your boat charter. Of course, your goal is to have a vacation; however, do you want to explore coves, swim and sunbathe, or engage in water sports during your vacation? Defining your purpose will help you choose the most suitable boat and ensure you don’t miss out on any additional services that might be needed to achieve your goal.

How many people will be traveling with you? If you're traveling with a small group, a motorboat may be sufficient; however, for larger groups, you'll need to charter a larger yacht. Additionally, your budget is also very important.

• Tip: If you have friends or family who enjoy traveling together and are interested in chartering a boat for similar purposes, you can charter a larger yacht as a big group. This way, you'll not only enhance your enjoyment but also reduce your yacht charter costs.

What Time of Year Will You Be Chartering the Boat?

The dates you choose for chartering a boat are crucial in terms of the costs you'll incur. During the high-demand summer months, prices are higher compared to the low-season periods (spring and autumn). Additionally, you can charter a boat for daily, weekly, or longer periods. Typically, daily charter rates are more expensive than weekly or longer-term charter options.

• Tip: If your goal in chartering is not swimming and enjoying the warmth of the sun, chartering a boat for a longer period during the low season can be a much more cost-effective option. In many parts of our country, especially along the Mediterranean coast where boat charters are prevalent, water and air temperatures in spring and autumn still allow for swimming and various water sports. Therefore, by closely monitoring the weather conditions for your duration and season, you can take advantage of more favorable prices.

Where Will You Go?

You need to plan your destination and route very carefully when chartering a boat. Some areas you may wish to visit could have restrictions; if you're heading to destinations like the Greek Islands that require you to leave Turkish territorial waters, you may need to handle visa and passport procedures in advance. Although a visa-on-arrival system is generally in place for the Greek Islands, there is a possibility of being denied entry into Greek territorial waters for various reasons.

Depending on your route, there might be places where you cannot come ashore to replenish your basic needs like food and beverages. If you plan to visit untouched and uninhabited coves, you should stock up on essential supplies beyond the expected amount. The same rule applies to fuel. You should chart your course considering the locations of refueling points along your route.

• Tip: If you specifically want to explore secluded coves, be sure to include coves where you can refuel and meet your basic needs at regular intervals along your route. Sometimes, due to sea conditions, the number of provisions and fuel you planned might fall short. Of course, you want your vacation to go smoothly, but you should plan with the possibility of things going wrong in mind.

Boat Fashion

When we talk about boat fashion, we are referring to clothing suitable for life on the boat. Weather conditions at sea can change rapidly, and even if you go out on the boat in the summer, you might encounter rain. At night, the temperature at sea can be significantly cooler, posing a risk of getting a cold. Additionally, sunburn is a common problem during boat trips. Therefore, you need to strategically select the clothing you bring with you.

• Tip: Don't forget to pack items like a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a lightweight rain jacket, and a cardigan or sweatshirt. When preparing your suitcase, you can create a checklist of clothing and equipment that will protect you from all weather conditions.

How Will Safety and Insurance Processes Work?

As mentioned above, the charter company you choose is of utmost importance here. We recommend conducting thorough research on the companies you are considering and learning how they manage their processes.

In addition to choosing the company, you should ensure that the boat is insured for the duration of your charter. Insurance will protect you in case of damage resulting from any unwanted incidents. Also, you should read the charter agreement carefully. Important information such as fees, charter duration, cancellation policies, and deposit requirements will be outlined in your contract. You can also see in the contract the conditions under which additional costs may arise.

Additionally, if you have a chronic condition or any allergies that could jeopardize your safety on the boat, you should inform the charter company during the booking process. This will affect various processes, from taking precautions against potential emergencies to organizing additional services like provision packages.

• Tip: If you're new to boat chartering, we recommend seeking support from an experienced friend or relative who has chartered before, prior to signing your charter agreement. Alternatively, when your contract is prepared, you can ask the charter company employee to review the agreement with you and clarify any points that are not very clear.

In conclusion, chartering a boat is both a fantastic process that opens the doors to a great adventure and involves many details that you need to pay attention to. Therefore, the most important tip we can give you is to manage the process with a company you can fully trust by considering the facilities, emergency plans, safety measures, and reputation of the charter company.

Asmira Marine, one of Türkiye’s leading yacht charter companies with hundreds of satisfied customers and a strong reputation in the industry, offers European-standard services to ensure you have an unforgettable vacation with nearly half a century of experience. With its young and luxurious fleet, specialized team, and experienced staff from captains to crew, it aims to exceed your expectations. From boat maintenance and repairs to chartering processes and exceptional additional services, Asmira Marine is by its clients' side at every step of the yacht chartering process. For more information about our news, services, and offices, visit our Asmira Marine website.