A crewed charter of a super trimaran works like any large yacht charter: a broker, a written contract, a weekly fee and a set of extra costs on top. This guide explains who does what, what to ask before paying a deposit, and what is different about a three-hulled boat.
The people involved
- The charter broker works for you, finds vessels that match your brief and negotiates the contract. Brokers are usually paid a commission by the yacht's owner or management company, which is built into the quoted rate.
- The central agent or owner's representative holds the yacht's availability and rates, and passes them to other brokers.
- The management company runs the yacht for the owner: crew employment, maintenance, insurance and flag compliance.
- The captain is responsible for the safety of the yacht and everyone aboard, and has the final say on weather, anchorages and itinerary.
How a charter is arranged
You start with a brief: dates, number of guests, preferred cruising ground, budget and any special requirements such as children, diving or events. The broker sends a shortlist with the weekly rate and the conditions. When you choose a yacht, the usual step is to hold the dates briefly, then sign a charter agreement and pay a deposit. Many brokers use a standard form, such as the one published by the Worldwide Yachting Association (MYBA). The balance is paid before you step aboard, along with an advance for expenses.
What the weekly fee covers, and what it does not
The base fee normally covers the yacht, the crew and basic insurance. Fuel, food and drink, marina and port fees, and some taxes are extra. A prepaid expense allowance, the APA, is usually collected to pay for those costs during the trip, with the captain accounting for it afterwards. Crew gratuity is customarily paid in addition. Our charter cost guide explains each line, and the figures there are conventions to verify, not fixed rules.
What is different on a trimaran
- Layout: the wide platform gives a lot of deck space and separate living areas. Cabins may sit in the central hull or in the amas, so ask for the real plan of the yacht you are offered.
- Stability: trimarans heel far less than monohulls and are comfortable at anchor. Our monohull comparison goes into the trade-offs.
- Speed and range: performance varies a lot between designs. Ask for the actual figures for the yacht in question and see how they compare in our guide to trimaran speed.
- Berthing: the beam can limit which marinas accept the yacht, which affects your itinerary and your costs.
Questions to ask a broker before you pay a deposit
- Which flag and survey standard does the yacht operate under? Larger charter yachts are normally built and surveyed to a recognized commercial standard.
- What insurance covers guests, and what is excluded?
- Which cancellation and refund terms apply, and what happens if the yacht cannot sail?
- Who pays for permits and cruising fees in the destination?
- Who are the captain and crew, what are their qualifications, and how recently has the yacht chartered in the area you plan to visit?
- What is the exact guest capacity overnight, and what does the yacht carry for children, diving or water sports?
Choosing where and when
Season matters as much as the yacht. See the guides to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Indian Ocean, South Pacific and Southeast Asia. For group types, read about families, honeymoons and weddings and corporate events.
This site does not arrange charters. For a booking, use a licensed charter broker, and read the full contract before you sign.