Chartering with a Crew: the Options and all the Advantages

The skipper Socarates took us to pristine beaches and bays that were not overrun with other boats. Loved being able to sail during the day and then visit the local towns at night. The skipper always gave us recommendations and asked what we would like to do each day. Crew were totally there to make our trip comfortable and to experience the beautiful Greek islands. 

From a satisfied crewed-charter client.

While the term "bareboat charter" traditionally implies sailing without a crew, it's now common to find bareboat options that include crew members to handle the yacht's operation and maintenance. This allows you to relax and fully enjoy your holiday. But how does a "crewed bareboat" differ from a "permanently crewed" charter?

Explaining charter sailing's crewed options

We offer a diverse selection of sailboats, from nimble 9-meter monohulls to spacious 24-metre catamarans verging on the superyacht class. While crew options are available for most boats, they are especially popular on larger, well-appointed catamarans from 50 to 80 feet in lenth. The larger monohulls also call for extra hands. These are all impressive yachts that often demand assistance on deck and with onboard tasks, the charter boats that due to size come with a permanent crew. 

That said, almost every boat in our fleet can be chartered with a crew. For the smaller class of boats there's a freelance skipper readily available in most ports, eager to come aboard and take responsibility for the boat while you savour your sailing holiday.

When considering a crewed charter, especially on larger yachts, it's crucial to choose the option that best suits your group. To help you decide, let's clarify the different terms used in crewed charters:

Crewed Bareboat: This involves hiring a freelance crew, usually but not always just a skipper, to join your charter. They handle the sailing and sometimes the cooking, freeing you to relax and enjoy the journey. You charter the boat and have formal responsibility. They do most of the work on your behalf.

Permanently Crewed: These yachts have a dedicated, full-time crew who live onboard and have full responsibility. They provide a higher level of service, taking care of everything from sailing and cooking to cleaning and overall yacht management. Increasingly, this definition includes a class of boat that must be hired "skipper only". If you dream of a sailing vacation with loved ones or friends, but lack the experience or confidence for a full bareboat charter, rest assured, crewed charters offer the perfect solution.

Let's dive deeper into the differences between "crewed bareboat" and "permanently crewed" options.

An experienced crew is what's required on the big cat Sunreef 70

The main saloon on a Lagoon 52 with table set for guests

The freelance crew model

Imagine this: you choose the perfect bareboat yacht for your dream vacation, then add a skilled skipper to handle the sailing, navigation, and technical aspects. That's the essence of a crewed bareboat charter. You select the boat and a freelance skipper from a pool of professionals familiar with your chosen destination. You effectively hire the personnel concerned as paid additional members of your crew. 

For added convenience, consider hiring a steward to assist with catering, cooking, and cleaning. Keep in mind that their cleaning duties typically focus on common areas like the galley, saloon, and cockpit, rather than individual cabins.

These freelance crew members offer invaluable local knowledge, from navigating the sailing grounds to recommending hidden gems and authentic experiences. They seamlessly integrate into your group, providing support and respecting your privacy.

While freelance crew enhance your charter experience, it's important to weigh the costs involved. Consider the crew's fees, the boat's capacity to comfortably accommodate them, and the dynamics of having extra people onboard.

Charter boats availabile with skipper only 

A step up from 'bareboat with crew' is the boat available for charter with skipper only; effectively a permanent crew of one. It's a trend forced by regulatory and insurance requirements, and is only offered on boats that are completely suitable in terms of accommodation. These skippers may be permanently attached to the boat for the season, or they may be freelancers engaged by the operator, not by the charterer. From here onwards any reference we make to to 'permanent crew' includes 'skipper only'. 

Permanently crewed catamaran or monohull: luxury living aboard

The boats available with full permanent crews are a step up again. These yachts come with a dedicated, full-time crew who provide a higher level of service and a more immersive experience: boats supplied with luxury in mind, generally at the top end of the size range before merging into the superyacht class.  

The permanently employed crew members each has his and her pre-determined role, and they do all the work. That includes stocking the boat with provisions, managing all aspects of the boat, cleaning from stem to stern and treating you as hotel guests. Greater levels of service, and yes, higher prices.

Of course even here, if you want to take the helm for a stretch, or cook your catch of the day to your own favourite recipe, that's never a problem, by arrangement with your willing crew. 

Relax aboard with your own skipper and hostess

Guest cabin on a larger crewed catamaran

Considerations in taking a charter sailing holiday with crew

1. Location
Crewed bareboats are based in a specific location from where your charter starts and in most cases ends. This allows you to explore a particular region in depth, following a chosen itinerary with the guidance of your local skipper. You make the calls, as you would on your own boat. 

Permanently crewed charters are also based in all the popular destinations, but there's often the option to change the embarkation point to a different locality. For instance a boat based in Athens may be relocated by arrangement to a Greek island for your charter. Some may relocate across the Atlantic between seasons. More rarely, an option  may be in some exotic place after the owner has used it for part of the season, opening up a unique chartering opportunity. 

So if you fancy a charter in Fiji, Vietnam or elsewhere that's not on the mainstream destination list, there may be a permanently-crewed charter available. It can be very appealing, the freedom to cherry-pick from the world's most exotic locations, where a charter boat's presence is based on an owner's whim rather than commercial imperatives.

The permanent crews of these boats generally report to the owner and carry out the full operator role. When you engage them they are free to work your program, meet you when you arrive and take you where you want to go (within reason).

2. Local knowledge
The people we appoint to your crewed bareboat are seasonal contractors. They may be locals, or they may for their own lifestyle reasons work somewhere new each season. We only appoint crews who have our confidence. They are well briefed by the local operators, and have taken the time to gather knowledge of the region concerned. They are passionate about sailing, and provide support not only by running the boat but by making suggestions about things to do and places to go.

As charterer of a bareboat, even a crewed one, you are in charge of your holiday. Your crew are competent and friendly, and they will have ideas having been there before. They will offer suggestions to make the most out of your trip, get alongside them and enjoy the experience together.  

Due to the nature of freelance personnel allocations, it is not practical to provide details of the crew prior to your booking. Selection is made close to the start of your charter, and we endeavour to supply details at the earliest opportunity once the people contracted are known to us. 

On a permanently-crewed charter boat your crew may include one or more locals, or those on board will have spent sufficient time locally to have every aspect well worked out. They have contact with water sports and excursion operators, know the best fresh produce providers, and understand the local customs. In more exotic locations a professional local guide may join your crew - a big plus in getting the utmost out of your travel experience.

We often know permanent crew personnel at the time of your booking, in which case we can share their resumés with you.   

3. Crew in residence
When you charter a crewed bareboat, the crew lives aboard with you. Generally on larger boats, crew quarters have separate access via the foredeck hatch, and they live quite unobtrusively. It is likely they spent the previous week on another boat, and will be on another one again next week.

Those paid to operate a crewed bareboat are resourceful people who understand boat systems and can deal with all the sundry operational tasks. Their responsibilities lie with giving you a good holiday and taking care of the boat accordingly. They don't concern themselves with other than running maintenance - that's the role of the base team.

By comparison, a permanent crew is fully responsible for their boat at all times. They have access to external service providers such as engineers, but are just as likely to deal with any issues themselves as required. If something's not as it should be they either remedy the situation immediately or phone ahead for repairs at the next port of call. They have a special relationship with their charge, a commitment to keeping her gleaming in the sun and running like a Swiss watch.

4. Crew Training
The best training is time on the water, where lessons are learned when things happen and challenges must be faced. On any crewed charter, you don't need the benefit of such experience - there's a crew there to keep everyone safe and the boat sound. Nevertheless, it is not realistic for us as brokers to always find crew members who have personally been through every conceivable scenario. And if we did find them, chances are they would be old and crusty and not so pleasant to be around. Instead, we look for crews who are fit, professional sailors and good company.

On your crewed bareboat, the skipper has an Ocean Yachtmaster qualification or equivalent, and your steward is an expert 'cook and bottle washer' who has some seamanship skills as well. The skipper understands his or her role - to look after the boat and your safety - and is on call 24/7 to make sure that happens. Freelance crew generally report to you the charterer individually. 

On the permanently-crewed charter work routines are formally assigned. More often than not the skipper has a merchant seaman's ticket, the steward is a qualified chef, and a third person is aboard to back them up. The bigger the boat the more crew and more specialised the roles. Crew may be brought on as required to suit the needs of you as client, or of the location. On this ship the skipper is boss, and a line of command exists at all times.

All staff on a permanently-crewed boat have met the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), as required by the boat's insurers. This certification covers everything from firefighting to first aid and environmental protection. Crew members are professionals who have done their time in the classroom. There is something akin to a corporate culture on board, with procedures to maintain that all-important state of grace afloat.

5. Teamwork
On any charter the ship's papers require a first mate. So should you engage a skipper only for your bareboat, you as charterer must take that responsibility, which you must carry out under direction of the skipper. If your crew comprises a skipper and steward, the latter can be designated first mate.

Should you require two crew to join your bareboat charter, we endeavour to engage a couple if possible. Interestingly, even where they are not familiar with each other, it can be quite normal in some destinations to see them share a cabin. If they demand separate sleeping arrangements, the size of boat can become a consideration. When we assemble a crewed bareboat crew it cannot be assumed that they are a well-practiced team. But invariably it all comes together on the day!

On a permanently-crewed charter the crew will have done their drills, had their practice runs and rehearsed their procedures before you meet. If yours is the first charter of the season, you won't even notice that. The crew will have everything prepared for your arrival.

6. Boat provisioning 
For all bareboat charters, we discuss provisioning in advance and can arrange the boat to be stocked for your arrival. When you book a crewed bareboat, we strongly recommend that you provision the charter in discussion with the crew. They will be more familiar with supply options, quantities needed aboard, and of course any local specialties worth sampling.

If you plan to arrive at base early on the day of departure (even better the day before), you may be able to work with the chosen crew and shop together. Or at least have some advance dialogue about preferences.Your crew is generally expected to arrive to start work at the date and time the charter is due to start. But with advance notice, they'll go the extra mile! 

There are usually advance-ordering options for provisioning, so talk to us about the process and the costs involved. Regardless, get to base in time for that last-minute excursion to the local market. Just to be sure you have what you need, at least to get started on your travels. 

On a permanently-crewed charter, those responsible for the boat have been working aboard well before your arrival. They have discussed a meal plan and done all the shopping. Any special requests have been organised. You will have paid an upfront fee, known as an APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance) to cover provisioning. Receipts are kept and money unspent is refunded.

7. Condition of the boat
Whenever possible we work with bareboat operators we know well, ones we can rely on to keep their fleet well-maintained. But do understand that because charter boats get a lot of use, by the time they have been in bareboat charter for three years or so, they can be expected to show signs of wear and tear, regardless of all the good intentions of operators and users.

By comparison, expect a permanently-crewed catamaran or monohull to be in immaculate condition, even after three years or more of regular charter use.

Lagoon 450 layout - four doubles and crew quarters in the bow

In conclusion

When it comes to enjoying a sailing holiday with an outside crew, you have two primary choices: a crewed bareboat or a permanently crewed yacht. The best for you depends on your expectations, budget, and desired level of service.

Crewed bareboats generally offer a more cost-effective solution, providing excellent value and flexibility. You benefit from the expertise of a local skipper and potentially a steward, while still enjoying a personalized and intimate experience.

Permanently crewed yachts deliver a higher level of service, with dedicated crew members who are passionate about providing an exceptional experience. These yachts often boast luxurious amenities and offer a more immersive and pampered sailing holiday.

Ultimately, whether you choose a crewed bareboat or a permanently crewed yacht, you'll be surrounded by individuals who share a love for the marine environment. Our goal is to connect you with the perfect crew who will enhance your journey and create lasting memories.

We're here to guide you through the process and ensure you find the ideal crewed charter experience that aligns with your sailing holiday vision