# Crewed vs bareboat yacht charter

> Bareboat, skippered or crewed yacht charter: who needs a licence, what a skipper costs per day, and how APA and tips work. Sourced and dated.

URL: https://catamaranindex.com/guides/crewed-vs-bareboat-yacht-charter/
Last updated: 2026-10-27
Author: Catamaran Index editorial team

Every yacht charter falls into one of three models. They differ in who sails the boat, who needs a licence and which extra costs apply.

*Last checked: 27 Oct 2026.*

## The three models

- **Bareboat:** you rent the boat and sail it yourself. You need an accepted licence or sailing résumé in most Mediterranean destinations ([requirements by country](https://catamaranindex.com/guides/sailing-licence-requirements/)).
- **Skippered:** a professional skipper sails the boat. The Globe Sailor puts the skipper's fee at about €150–300 per day, with the skipper's meals at your expense ([The Globe Sailor](https://www.theglobesailor.com/blog/what-it-really-costs-to-charter-a-yacht), checked 28 Oct 2026). That is €1,050–€2,100 for 7 days (our arithmetic).
- **Crewed:** skipper plus a cook or host (larger yachts add more crew). The fee is usually quoted with an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) of around 25–35% of the charter fee for sailing yachts and catamarans and 35–40% for motor yachts ([Helm](https://www.helm.yt/article/what-is-an-apa), checked 27 Oct 2026), and a customary gratuity of 10–20% ([Worth Avenue Yachts](https://www.worthavenueyachts.com/explore/charter-terms-and-conditions/), checked 27 Oct 2026).

## Side by side

| | Bareboat | Skippered | Crewed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who sails | You | Professional skipper | Professional crew |
| Licence or résumé | Usually yes | No | No |
| Extra people to pay | None | Skipper, €150–300/day ([The Globe Sailor](https://www.theglobesailor.com/blog/what-it-really-costs-to-charter-a-yacht), checked 28 Oct 2026) | Included in the fee, plus tips |
| APA | No | No | 25–35% (sail, catamaran); 35–40% (motor) ([Helm](https://www.helm.yt/article/what-is-an-apa), checked 27 Oct 2026) |
| Food | You provision: €20–40 per person per day ([The Globe Sailor](https://www.theglobesailor.com/blog/what-it-really-costs-to-charter-a-yacht), checked 28 Oct 2026) | You provision | Via the APA |
| Verified price averages on this site | Catamaran monthly series, mixed bareboat and crewed | Our arithmetic only | None yet |

12 Knots' catamaran averages mix bareboat and crewed listings, so they cannot be split by model. We don't show a crewed price average because we have no verified one.

## How to choose

- **No accepted licence or new to the area:** skippered or crewed.
- **Want to sail yourself and keep cost down:** bareboat, with a licence.
- **Want meals and service included:** crewed; budget the APA and tips on top of the fee.

More detail: [bareboat vs skippered](https://catamaranindex.com/compare/bareboat-vs-skippered/). Totals: [true cost calculator](https://catamaranindex.com/guides/true-cost-catamaran-week/#calculator).

## FAQ

### What is the difference between a crewed and a bareboat yacht charter?

On a bareboat charter you sail the boat yourself and usually need a licence or résumé. On a crewed charter a professional crew sails and looks after the guests, and you pay an APA and customary tips on top of the fee.

### How much does a skipper cost?

The Globe Sailor says about €150–300 per day depending on the destination, plus the skipper's meals.

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