Yacht Charters

• A customized itinerary.
• No scheduled activities.
• Sailing with only a small group of family and friends.
• Swimming in the salty sea off the bow.
• Preparing your own meals or having them made by a shipboard cook; dining on deck in the open air.
• Being rocked to sleep by water lapping at the hull (and sometimes rocked vigorously when the weather is rough).
• Sipping cocktails on deck or at an island beach bar.
• Sailing a flexible itinerary that allows for spontaneity.

Ship Shapes: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Space, speed, and stability can vary widely depending on the type of boat you choose

SAILING YACHT - CATAMARAN

Deck Space
Ample area to read and soak up the sun.

Personal Space
Cabins tend to be large and, because they don't share a common wall, are the most private of all boat types.

Stability
Doesn't heel but pitches around in rough seas. Very steady at anchor.

Maneuverability
Can be more difficult to sail than a monohull.

Cost
Falls in the middle: More expensive than a monohull but less than a motor yacht.

Unique Advantage
Anchors closer to shore than monohulls; living areas are at cockpit level rather than belowdecks, allowing you to better enjoy the scenery.

Overall Comfort
Spacious living areas and very little rocking mean the ultimate in comfort for first-time boaters. Some of the thrill of sailing is sacrificed for stability.

Best For
Privacy seekers, groups, and families. Few steps make it a fine choice for people with disabilities.

SAILING YACHT - MONOHULL

Deck Space
At least 50 percent less outdoor space than on a catamaran. Small monohulls have few places to comfortably stretch out on deck.

Personal Space
Cabins are smaller than on catamarans, and less private because they are separated by a thin wall; beds can be 10 to 15 percent smaller. The main salon (inside living space) is belowdecks.

Stability
The most stable boat in rough seas but rocks at anchor if not in a sheltered area.

Maneuverability
Sails closer to the wind than catamarans, which means less tacking and less reliance on the engine.

Cost
Foot for foot the cheapest option.

Unique Advantage
Considered by many to be the optimal sailing experience because of the sensation of the wind powering the boat through the water.

Overall Comfort
Close quarters and heeling may challenge some nonsailors.

Best For
Those seeking the excitement of sailing close to the water; groups looking to keep costs down.