Bareboat vs skippered (vs crewed)
What a skipper costs per day, who needs a licence, and when APA and tips apply: bareboat, skippered and crewed charters compared with sources.
Bareboat means you rent the boat and sail it yourself. Skippered means a professional skipper sails with you. Crewed usually means skipper plus a cook or host.
Last checked: 27 Oct 2026.
Cost difference
| Bareboat | Skippered | Crewed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra people to pay | None | Skipper: €150–300/day (The Globe Sailor, checked 28 Oct 2026) | Skipper + cook/host |
| 7-day crew cost | €0 | €1,050–€2,100 (7 × daily rate) | Often bundled into the charter fee |
| Crew meals | n/a | At your expense (The Globe Sailor, checked 28 Oct 2026) | Covered via APA |
| APA | No | No | ~25–35% of the charter fee (Helm, checked 27 Oct 2026) |
| Gratuity | No | Discretionary | Customarily 10–20% (Worth Avenue Yachts, checked 27 Oct 2026) |
| Licence needed | Yes, or a résumé, depending on country | No | No |
Choose bareboat if
- You hold a licence accepted in your destination (check here) and recent experience on a similar-size boat.
- You want maximum flexibility and the lowest cost.
Choose skippered if
- You don't have an accepted licence, or the area is new to you.
- You'd rather swim than anchor. A skipper usually takes one cabin or berth, so plan for one fewer guest.
Choose crewed if
- You want meals and service included and budget is less of a constraint. Expect the APA and tips on top of the fee.