Charter pricing in the superyacht world sits behind a curtain of enquire-only rates, broker commissions and industry acronyms that make it genuinely difficult to know what you are getting into before you sign a contract. For super trimarans specifically - long, fast, sail-driven vessels that occupy a distinct category between high-performance sailing yacht and floating resort - the cost structure has its own characteristics worth understanding in detail. This guide pulls that curtain aside and explains exactly what you will pay, what each element covers, and why a crewed super trimaran charter routinely delivers more value per pound spent than a comparable monohull or catamaran superyacht at a similar headline price.
The goal here is not to quote you a figure - charter rates change seasonally, vary by vessel, and are always best confirmed with a specialist broker. The goal is to give you the knowledge to read any charter quote intelligently, ask the right questions, and build a budget that reflects reality from the first conversation.
How Superyacht Charter Pricing Works
The vast majority of crewed superyacht charters worldwide are structured around the MYBA Charter Agreement, published by the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association. This contract defines the relationship between the vessel owner, the charterer and the broker, and its framework applies not only in the Mediterranean but across Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Pacific charters, where MYBA or its close equivalent governs most commercial transactions at this level.
Charter rates are expressed as a weekly (seven-night) fee for the exclusive use of the vessel. This base charter fee is emphatically not the total cost of your trip - it is the starting point, and in some high-tax territories the final spend can be 60 to 70 percent above the base rate once all elements are added. Understanding the components is therefore not a technicality; it is the difference between a realistic budget and an unpleasant conversation at the end of your holiday.
Rates on charter listing sites are sometimes shown as low-season figures. Others are shown as peak-season rates. The difference between the two on the same vessel can be 15 to 25 percent. Always confirm with your broker which season rate applies to your preferred dates.
Peak Season and Shoulder Season
Mediterranean charter seasons are well defined. Peak season runs roughly from late June through August, when demand is highest, weather is most settled in most regions, and the social scene in ports from Monaco to Mykonos is at its most animated. Rates are highest in this window. Shoulder season - May, early June, September and October - offers lower rates, fewer crowds, warmer sea temperatures in September and October than many expect, and in some regions the best sailing winds of the year. Many experienced charter guests actively prefer shoulder season, and the cost savings are real.
In the Caribbean, peak season runs from approximately December through April, coinciding with the dry season and the American holiday calendar. Summer season from May onwards sees some vessels reposition to the Mediterranean, reducing available Caribbean inventory, but those that remain often carry reduced rates. Discuss seasonality with your broker early - the right timing choice can save meaningful money without compromising the experience.
The APA: Your Operational Budget Explained
The Advance Provisioning Allowance - referred to universally as APA - is one of the most important concepts in superyacht charter finance, and one of the most frequently misunderstood by first-time charterers. Getting it right matters to your budget and to your peace of mind on board.
The APA is a pre-paid fund, typically settled before or at embarkation, which the captain holds and administers throughout the charter. It is not an additional profit centre for the owner or broker. Every cent is spent on your behalf, every receipt is retained, and at the end of the charter the captain presents a full reconciliation. If the APA exceeds actual expenditure, the balance is returned to you. If expenditure exceeds the APA estimate, you top it up - usually a straightforward transaction that the captain will flag before it becomes a surprise.
Industry convention places APA at between 25 and 40 percent of the base weekly charter rate, with 30 percent being the most common starting estimate for a Mediterranean charter with a balanced mix of sailing, marina stops and modest provisioning. On itineraries with high marina fees (St. Tropez, Monaco, Portofino), significant motoring, or guests with expectations for premium wine cellars and daily resupply from specialist markets, a higher APA provision is prudent. Your broker and the vessel's captain can give you a well-grounded estimate once they know your itinerary and preferences.
What the APA Covers
- Fuel - diesel for the main engines and generators
- All provisioning - food, beverages alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and consumables
- Marina and harbour fees - stern-to berthing, mooring buoys, anchorage permits where applicable
- Port dues and transit fees - official charges levied by port authorities on arrival
- Customs and immigration fees - relevant for passages between jurisdictions
- Crew provisioning expenses - shore-based costs the crew incurs sourcing supplies on your behalf
- Satellite communications charges - usage beyond any standard data allowance included in the base rate
Charter taxes are sometimes collected through the APA mechanism and sometimes invoiced separately, depending on the territory. Your broker will clarify the collection method applicable to your specific itinerary before departure.
What Is Actually Included in the Base Charter Rate
To understand the value of the base charter fee, it helps to list concretely what it buys. Charter guests who approach this for the first time sometimes assume the base rate is simply a hire fee for the boat. It is considerably more than that.
- Exclusive use of the entire vessel for the duration of the charter period - no shared passages, no other guests
- Full professional crew - captain, first officer, chef and deck or hospitality crew as specified in the crew list; on a vessel such as Dragonship 88 the complement is scaled for a genuine superyacht service standard
- All crew salaries and employment costs - you do not pay crew wages separately; these are the owner's contractual responsibility
- Comprehensive yacht insurance covering the vessel throughout the charter period
- Standard water toys and tenders - paddleboards, kayaks, snorkelling equipment, inflatable toys and the vessel's RIB or dinghy tender
- All safety and navigation equipment - life rafts, EPIRBs, flares, AIS transponders, and all flag-state mandated safety gear
- Onboard hotel systems - air conditioning, fresh water, generator power for all guest spaces
- Crew berthing and meals - the crew feeds and houses themselves; these costs are not passed to the charterer
Premium items not universally included within the base rate include jet skis, seabobs, fishing equipment, dive compressors and tanks, specialist towed toys, and shore excursions or experiences pre-arranged through the captain. These are typically paid through the APA or invoiced separately depending on the vessel. The charter agreement and the vessel's inventory list define exactly what is and is not included, and reading both documents carefully before signing is strongly recommended.
The Additional Costs That Complete Your Budget
A complete charter budget contains four elements beyond the base rate: the APA-funded running costs, charter taxes, crew gratuity, and travel costs at either end of the charter. Omitting any one of these will give you an inaccurate picture.
Provisioning: Food, Drink and Consumables
Superyacht provisioning at this level is genuinely premium. The chef is briefed on your preferences, dietary requirements and any restrictions well before departure. Local markets, specialist suppliers and the best fish merchants in each port are sourced as the itinerary progresses. The galley produces restaurant-quality meals throughout the week, at whatever tempo suits your party - whether that is long lazy lunches at anchor, formal dinners at sea, or improvised late-night spreads after a night ashore.
Provisioning costs at this level of charter typically run in the range of €150 to €300 per person per day, though this figure varies significantly with your preferences. A party with moderate appetites for wine and spirits will spend toward the lower end of that range. Guests who expect aged Burgundy at dinner, daily replenishment of premium spirits and the finest local cheeses and charcuterie at every anchorage will spend toward the upper end or beyond. Most experienced captains can give you a reliable per-head-per-day estimate once they have seen your preference sheet. Ask for it - it is one of the most useful data points in building your APA.
Fuel: Where Super Trimarans Change the Calculation
Fuel is where the economics of a super trimaran charter diverge most meaningfully from a motor superyacht - and where the comparison often surprises guests who have not thought it through. A super trimaran under sail consumes essentially no propulsion fuel. When the wind is up and the sails are set, the engines are off. The Dragonship series is designed precisely for this: efficient, fast passage-making under sail, with the engines reserved for harbour manoeuvring, periods of calm, and guest convenience.
A motor superyacht of comparable size running at cruising speed burns diesel continuously. Over a week of passages, the fuel cost differential between a sailing super trimaran and a motor vessel covering similar distances is substantial. For a seven-night charter with meaningful passages, this translates directly to a lower APA fuel bill - real cash that stays in your pocket. In practical terms, a sail-focused itinerary on a Dragonship can see fuel costs that are a fraction of those on an equivalent motor superyacht passage. The exact figure depends on wind conditions, distances and how much time the party prefers to spend at anchor versus underway, but the directional difference is reliably in the super trimaran's favour.
Diesel prices in Mediterranean ports fluctuate with global markets and vary between countries. Your captain will factor current local prices into provisioning estimates at the start of the charter.
Marina and Harbour Fees
Marina costs vary more dramatically than almost any other charter expense. Anchoring overnight in a secluded Sardinian cala costs nothing beyond the anchor. A stern-to berth in the Port of St. Tropez during peak July commands several thousand euros per night for a vessel of Dragonship dimensions. Monaco and Portofino are similarly premium. By contrast, the outer islands of Greece, the wilder coastline of Croatia, or the anchorages of the Ionian can be navigated almost entirely at anchor with minimal marina spend.
A thoughtful itinerary that balances one or two prestige port calls with four or five nights at anchor in beautiful, uncrowded bays can reduce marina expenditure dramatically without compromising the experience - in fact, many guests find that nights at anchor in a secluded bay become the most memorable moments of their charter. The wide, stable platform of a super trimaran makes anchored living genuinely comfortable: the deck areas stay usable, the yacht barely moves in a protected anchorage, and the sense of space at anchor in a deserted bay is something a city marina berth cannot replicate. Discuss your priorities with the captain early and ask for an itinerary that reflects both your destination aspirations and your APA target.
Communications
Most modern superyachts at this level include a standard WiFi data allowance in the base rate, sufficient for general browsing and messaging. Satellite telephone calls and high-volume data usage beyond the included allowance are charged at cost through the APA. If staying connected for business or family reasons is important for your party, raise this explicitly with the vessel's representative before signing the charter agreement. Some vessels offer upgraded connectivity packages that can be agreed in advance.
Charter Taxes by Region
Charter tax is simultaneously the most variable and the least understood cost in a superyacht budget. Rates, mechanisms and applicability all differ by jurisdiction, and the rules change with some regularity. The information below reflects general principles as understood at the time of writing - always verify current rates and structures with your charter broker before finalising any budget, as figures can change.
French Waters
France applies TVA at the standard rate of 20 percent to crewed charter operations in French territorial waters. The tax applies to the base charter fee when the charter is deemed to commence in France. This makes the French Riviera one of the most tax-intensive charter environments in the Mediterranean from a cost perspective. There are commercial structures that can affect liability in certain circumstances, but these require specialist advice from a qualified broker or maritime tax practitioner. The safe assumption for budget purposes is that chartering in French waters carries a meaningful TVA exposure that must appear in your cost model from the outset.
Greek Waters
Greece applies VAT to charter at a reduced rate applicable to sailing vessels, and Greek territorial waters have historically been among the more tax-efficient Mediterranean options for sailing charters. The applicable rate and the specific rules governing multi-flag vessels have been subject to legislative revision in recent years; verify current requirements with a Greece-specialist broker or maritime tax adviser before finalising your itinerary. The Greek islands remain one of the most compelling charter destinations in the world regardless of the tax regime, and the cost of experienced advice is negligible against the overall charter budget.
Croatian Waters
Croatia, as an EU member state, applies VAT to charter operations commencing in Croatian territory. The Adriatic coastline and its archipelago of islands represent a high-demand charter region with extraordinary sailing and coastal scenery, and the VAT cost is a known and manageable element of chartering there. Your broker will confirm the current rate and whether any concessions or structures apply to vessels operating across the split Croatian-international itineraries that are common in this region.
Caribbean Territories
The British Virgin Islands have long been regarded as one of the most charter-friendly jurisdictions, with a benign tax regime for qualifying vessels. Other Eastern Caribbean territories vary significantly: Antigua, St. Barts (a French collectivity with a distinct regime from metropolitan France), St. Martin and the US Virgin Islands each operate their own charter tax framework. A broker with specialist Caribbean knowledge will provide territory-specific guidance and structure your itinerary to reflect the tax landscape.
Indian Ocean and Pacific
Seychelles, Maldives and French Polynesia each have distinct charter licensing and tax frameworks. French Polynesia operates a separate fiscal regime from metropolitan France, which is relevant context for anyone assuming the French TVA rules apply uniformly across French territories - they do not. Seychelles imposes licensing requirements and associated fees for commercial charter operations. Local broker expertise is essential in all three regions, both for regulatory compliance and for practical itinerary planning in waters where distances, seasons and permit systems require specialist knowledge.
Crew Gratuity: Etiquette and Amounts
Crew gratuity is not contractually required under standard MYBA charter agreements, but it is so firmly established as industry convention that treating it as optional would be both financially naive and professionally discourteous. Superyacht crew at this level are skilled professionals - the captain holds a commercial master's licence, the chef has typically trained to a standard that would qualify them for senior positions in reputable restaurants ashore, and the deck and hospitality crew work long hours in demanding conditions throughout the season.
The accepted benchmark is 10 to 20 percent of the base weekly charter rate, handed to the captain in cash or via bank transfer at the end of the charter, for distribution among the crew according to their own arrangement. Fifteen percent is the most commonly applied figure for a well-executed charter where the crew has performed to a high standard. Exceptional service - going significantly beyond expectations, navigating difficult circumstances smoothly, or simply making the week genuinely memorable - merits recognition at the upper end or beyond. A charter where service was adequate but unremarkable might reasonably attract 10 percent.
Gratuity is a direct and meaningful component of crew income, structured in the knowledge that it supplements base salaries for seasonal positions. Budget it as a fixed cost from the start rather than a discretionary afterthought.
Why Super Trimarans Deliver Exceptional Charter Value
The base weekly rate for a super trimaran will appear comparable to - or in some cases higher than - a conventional sailing superyacht or motor yacht of similar registered length. The value case is only visible when you examine what that rate actually delivers, and compare like for like rather than simply comparing headline numbers.
Beam Is Volume: More Space for the Same Length
A super trimaran achieves its beam through the three-hull architecture. The main hull and two outrigger amas create a platform dramatically wider than a monohull of equivalent waterline length. Dragonship 88 occupies a deck footprint that would be structurally and aesthetically impossible in a monohull of the same nominal length. The result is saloon space, cockpit entertaining areas and flybridge or deck dimensions that approach those of a considerably longer - and considerably more expensive - conventional superyacht. Charter guests paying a given base rate on a super trimaran are accessing more usable, livable, socially enjoyable space than any same-length monohull can offer. This is not a marginal advantage; it is a structural difference that is immediately apparent to anyone who steps aboard.
Stability Changes the Entire Guest Experience
Multihull stability fundamentally alters the nature of a sailing charter for guests who are not committed offshore sailors. On a super trimaran, meals are eaten at a table that stays level. Drinks stay in glasses. The aft deck functions as an outdoor living room even when the yacht is sailing at pace. The saloon does not heel into a cave on one side. For charter parties that include guests who are anxious about motion sickness, unfamiliar with sailing, or simply not interested in the athletic aspects of offshore passages, the stable platform of a super trimaran eliminates the principal barrier to enjoyment. The commercial value of a charter week in which all guests actually feel well enough to eat, drink, move freely around the boat and enjoy the experience is genuinely hard to overstate - and it is an advantage that no monohull can fully replicate.
Sailing Performance Means Better Itineraries Within the Same Charter Period
A genuinely fast sailing vessel covers more sea in the same time. Super trimarans capable of sustained double-digit knots under sail can reach anchorages and destinations that a slower conventional charter yacht would require extra days to achieve. A party chartering Dragonship 88 in the Greek islands can realistically reach the Ionian from the Saronic in time a conventional vessel would still be working its way through the Corinth Canal's waiting queue. In the Caribbean, the speed advantage compresses inter-island passages and creates time for additional stops that a slower yacht simply cannot fit into a seven-night itinerary. That range and flexibility represent direct value for the charter fee paid - more of the destination, more variety, more experience, within the same contracted week.
Lower Fuel Burn Feeds Directly Back Into Your APA
The point made in the fuel section above is worth restating here as a value argument: the sailing efficiency of a well-designed super trimaran is not merely an environmental virtue. It is a financial one. The fuel that is not burned in a well-sailed charter week is money that remains in the APA. Across a week with consistently good sailing conditions and an itinerary designed around the yacht's capabilities, the difference in fuel expenditure between a super trimaran and a motor superyacht covering the same passages is substantial. That difference comes back to you at reconciliation.
How to Work With a Charter Broker and Get an Accurate Quote
A specialist charter broker is a practical necessity at this level, not an optional convenience. Brokers earn a commission paid by the yacht owner; their expertise costs you nothing directly. A good broker working on your behalf will save far more than their commission value through sound advice on timing, vessel selection, itinerary design and cost management.
When you first contact a broker, provide as much specificity as possible. The number of guests and approximate ages matters because it affects crew complement requirements and cabin configuration. Dietary requirements and preferences determine provisioning costs before the charter begins. Your preferred region and approximate dates frame availability and pricing. And an honest assessment of your sailing appetite is essential: do you want the yacht under sail as much as possible, making the most of the vessel's performance capabilities? Or do you prefer a more resort-like experience, with the yacht as a floating base and sailing as an occasional pleasure rather than the primary agenda? Both are entirely valid uses of a super trimaran, and neither is wrong. The honest answer shapes the right itinerary and the right APA estimate.
A competent broker will present a full cost model before you sign anything: base rate, APA estimate, applicable charter taxes, gratuity guidance, and a note on travel costs. If a broker presents only a base rate and calls it a budget, ask for the complete picture. Any experienced professional in this market can produce it.
Lead times are real. For peak Mediterranean season on a high-demand vessel like those in the Dragonship series, availability can be limited 12 to 18 months in advance. If you have fixed dates or a specific vessel in mind, start the conversation early. Shoulder season and occasionally last-minute berths do become available, but cannot be relied upon for specific vessels or preferred itineraries. The downside of enquiring early is negligible. The downside of enquiring too late can be a year's wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is APA in a superyacht charter contract?
APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance, a pre-paid operational fund held by the captain that covers all variable running costs during your charter: fuel, food and beverages, marina fees, port dues and similar expenses. It is typically set at 25 to 40 percent of the base weekly charter rate. Every expense is receipted and itemised; any unspent balance is refunded to you at the end of the charter, and any overspend is settled at that point.
Is crew gratuity included in the charter rate?
No. Gratuity is paid separately, handed directly to the captain at the end of the charter for distribution among the crew. The accepted industry guideline is 10 to 20 percent of the base weekly charter rate, with 15 percent being the most common benchmark for a well-run charter. It is not contractually mandatory but is a firmly established convention throughout the superyacht industry, and an important component of crew income.
How far in advance should I book a super trimaran charter?
Peak-season berths on specific vessels can sell 12 to 18 months ahead, particularly for July and August in the Mediterranean or December through February in the Caribbean. Shoulder-season dates carry shorter lead times but cannot be relied upon for specific vessels or routes. Engage a specialist broker early, place your preferred dates on hold, and finalise the contract once the full cost model is agreed.
Does chartering in French waters cost significantly more because of VAT?
Yes. French TVA applies to crewed charter operations in French territorial waters at the standard 20 percent rate, and it represents a significant addition to the overall charter budget. Comparable itineraries in other Mediterranean territories typically carry a lower tax burden. Always confirm current rates and applicable territory rules with your broker before finalising your cost model, as the tax element can materially alter the total budget.
What costs are not covered by the APA?
The APA covers the yacht's variable running costs but does not include your flights, pre- or post-charter hotel accommodation, personal spending ashore, or crew gratuity. Some specialist water sports equipment not listed in the vessel's standard inventory may also be charged separately. Review the charter agreement and equipment inventory carefully before signing, and ask your broker to clarify any ambiguous items.
How does chartering a super trimaran compare in total cost to a motor superyacht of similar length?
Base weekly rates are broadly comparable at the top of the market. The meaningful difference appears in running costs: a super trimaran under sail consumes a fraction of the fuel a motor superyacht burns over the same passage, so the APA fuel component can be substantially lower. When you add the greater deck space, superior stability underway, faster passages and the sailing experience itself, most guests who compare the two categories conclude that the super trimaran delivers better overall value for a similar total spend.
Ready to Plan Your Charter?
If you are ready to move from cost planning to an actual conversation about vessels, dates and itineraries, the PI Superyachts charter team can provide a complete, transparent cost estimate for a specific vessel, season and route - no guesswork, no hidden additions. Visit our contact page to start the conversation.