Key Tip: Don’t let those promotional videos fool you anymore. This guide is based on my seven years of firsthand experience chartering boats in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean—I’ve fallen into pitfalls, wasted money, and nearly capsized in a storm.I’ll walk you through, step by step, how to choose a boat, how to review the contract, how to avoid pitfalls, and how to stay within your budget—plus, I’ve included a “list of hidden fees” that European boat owners don’t want you to know about.After reading this, you’ll have a clear understanding of every aspect of catamaran chartering and won’t have to be taken advantage of anymore.
First, let me explain why I’m writing this
My name is Tom. I’m a British citizen who has spent seven years in the south of France and the Caribbean. I’ve personally purchased two catamarans: a Lagoon 42 that I rent out, and a Fountaine Pajot 47 that I use myself. Over the years, I’ve provided charter consultations to friends, clients, and strangers online at least 60 times. While I wouldn’t call myself a “professional,” I’ve certainly encountered all kinds of tricky situations.
A Few Things You Must Understand Before Chartering a Boat
Don’t just go by how pretty the photos look.
Catamarans and monohulls are two completely different beasts.
Have you ever driven both an SUV and a supercar? That’s roughly the difference.
Catamarans are wider, more stable, and have a substantial cargo capacity; however, when it comes to cutting through waves, they aren’t as crisp and agile as monohulls.A guy boarding a catamaran for the first time thought he could turn as nimbly as driving a Honda Civic, but little did he know he’d end up nearly crashing into the dock.
Data Point:
According to a 2019 report by Boat International, the average roll amplitude of a catamaran in rough seas is approximately 67% less than that of a monohull of the same length—sounds pretty safe, right? However, the trade-off is that once the wind exceeds 25 knots, catamarans start “slamming” into the waves—not just rocking, but slamming—and everything in the kitchen, from pots to pans, flies through the air.
I’ll walk you through every pitfall of choosing a boat, one by one
Boat Models: Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, Bali, and those “new brands”
To be honest, I’ve chartered boats from all of these brands.
The Lagoon 42 is the most mainstream choice; it’s very spacious, but its sailing performance is mediocre. It’s like a Volkswagen Passat—it’ll get you wherever you need to go, but don’t expect it to deliver any thrills.
The Fountaine Pajot 47 has a more striking hull design and can reach speeds 1 to 1.2 knots faster, but its interior layout isn’t very beginner-friendly—the stairs are narrow, and storage space is limited.A friend of mine once chartered one and accidentally bumped his knee twice during the three-day trip.
The Bali 4.2’s open cockpit is perfect for parties, but what are its drawbacks? It offers little shelter, and you can imagine what that’s like on rainy days.
New brands like Sea Cat and HH boast solid technical standards, but spare parts for repairs are hard to come by. In a place like the Caribbean, when one of the servos broke, we had to wait a full week for a replacement part.
Practical Advice:
Don’t just look at the boat’s age. Take a 2019 Lagoon 42, for example: if the owner has neglected maintenance, it can be far more of a headache than a poorly maintained 2022 model. Insist on checking the engine hours; stay away from any with over 3,000 hours.
Contract Pitfalls: The Fine Print You Might Overlook
Keep a steady hand when signing the contract.
List of Hidden Fees (A Common Tactic Used by European Boat Owners)
| Item | Typical Price (Euros) | The Catch |
|---|---|---|
| Sailing Fee | 500–1,500 | Advertised as “included,” but is actually a mandatory cleaning fee |
| Docking Fee | 40–120 per night | Not specified in the contract; you only find out once you arrive at the dock |
| High Wind/Night Sailing Surcharge | 80–200 per hour | If wind speeds exceed 20 knots, the boat owner automatically charges extra |
| Damage deductible | 2,000–5,000 | This is not the insurance premium! You pay this amount first, and the insurance company will then reimburse you |
| Air conditioning electricity charges | 30–60 per day | The boat owner will be keeping an eye on your meter |
A friend of mine was arranging a charter in Croatia. The contract specified an “all-inclusive rate,” but upon arrival, the boat owner claimed, “Air conditioning costs are billed separately at 50 euros per day.” Can you guess what happened next? It’s the height of summer—how could you not use the air conditioning? With temperatures on board reaching 30 degrees, could you really stand it?
So:
Insist on it in writing: List all possible fees; do not accept verbal promises.
Practical Navigation: Where Beginners Most Often Go Wrong
Docking
Your first time docking, you’re bound to panic.
Catamarans are spacious, but they don’t turn very sharply. Once wind speeds exceed 15 knots, docking feels like maneuvering a bus into a parking spot.Here’s a tip: Don’t back up—instead, approach the dock head-on. The reason is that a catamaran’s propellers are located below the waterline. When you reverse, the water flow hits the hull, causing extreme bow sway—which makes it difficult to steer accurately.
Data:
In 2018, the UK Maritime Association launched an investigation, 47% of chartered boat accidents occurred during the docking phase. In these incidents, catamarans accounted for a proportion 32% higher than that of monohulls. This isn’t because the boats themselves are faulty, but rather because the operators simply hadn’t practiced the maneuver at all. That’s the reality.
Anchoring
Beginners love to drop anchor and run.
Catamarans are characterized by their shallow draft, but they have relatively high wind resistance. If you drop the anchor and the wind picks up, the boat will drift. The anchor chain must be at least five times the water depth—this is the minimum standard.When I was in Greece, I saw a male friend who, in 10-meter-deep water, had only let out 15 meters of anchor chain. As a result, when the wind picked up in the middle of the night, the boat drifted straight onto the reef.
Practical Tips:
Before launching the anchor, check by hand to make sure the flukes are sharp.
Make sure the anchor line isn’t knotted—I’ve lived through the nightmare of a tight knot.
After dropping anchor, reverse for 2 minutes to make sure the anchor is firmly set.
The Caribbean vs. the Mediterranean: Where Should You Go?
I get asked this question 50 times a year.
The Caribbean (e.g., BVI, St. Maarten)
Pros: Light winds, calm waters, and plenty of islands. A paradise for beginners.
The downside is that charter prices are 30 to 50 percent higher than in the Mediterranean, and the region is off-limits during hurricane season—June through November.
In 2022, according to statistics from the BVI Tourism Board, the average price for a charter was around $8,500 per week, yet the vacancy rate was only 15%.
The Mediterranean (e.g., Croatia, Greece)
Advantages: Relatively affordable prices, diverse scenery, and a rich cultural atmosphere.
The drawbacks include strong winds—particularly northerly winds and the Meltemi—which can easily blow novice sailors off course. Marinas are often crowded, making it difficult to moor vessels.
Data shows that in 2023, charter prices in Croatia actually rose by 12% year-over-year, yet the accident rate increased by 18%, with most of these accidents occurring during docking and anchoring.
Personal Opinion:
For your first charter, go to the Caribbean. At least you’ll get a good night’s sleep. Save the Mediterranean for next year.
Frequently Asked Questions (listed randomly, varying in length)
Q: I’ve never sailed a boat before. Can I charter a catamaran right away?
A: It’s possible, but you absolutely shouldn’t. At the very least, find a captain to accompany you for two or three days first.I once witnessed a couple on a 5-day cruise who ran their boat aground on a beach on the very first day. It cost them 1,200 euros in towing fees.
Q: Is it easy to get seasick on a catamaran?
A: It’s much better than a monohull, but that doesn’t mean it’s problem-free. If you spend six hours in 3-meter waves, you’ll still end up vomiting. Be sure to bring motion sickness medication, and don’t fall for false claims that the “seas are calm.”
Q: What should I bring on board?
First off, bring: insect repellent, sunscreen, a waterproof bag, a power bank—note that 220V outlets are scarce on board—and snacks.Don’t count on the boat owner to provide these items—they’re even stingy with toilet paper. A friend of mine once chartered a boat where there was only one roll of toilet paper on board, and it ran out the very next day.
Q: Should I buy insurance?
A: Yes, definitely! But whatever you do, don’t buy the cheapest option.Once, a friend of mine bought “basic coverage.” Later, a fishing net got tangled in the propeller, and the repair cost 1,600 euros—but the insurance company claimed it “wasn’t covered.” He was so furious that he canceled his flight on the spot.
Q: What’s a typical price for chartering a boat for a week?
Here’s the answer: During the European off-season (April through May), prices generally range from 6,000 to 9,000 euros; during peak season (July through August), they rise to between 12,000 and 20,000 euros.During the Caribbean’s peak season (December through February), a charter with the same specifications would cost 30% more. If the price is below 6,000 euros, check the boat’s age—it’s almost certainly an old vessel from a decade ago.
One final piece of honest advice:
Chartering a boat isn’t a vacation—it’s a sailing adventure.Are you prepared to deal with rough seas, mechanical breakdowns, and the skipper’s temperament? If you just want to lie back and enjoy the sun, stay at a hotel—it’ll save you both money and hassle.However, if you crave freedom, love adventure, and plan to watch the sunset while sipping beer at sea with a group of like-minded people—chartering a catamaran is definitely worth it. Just don’t let marketing-savvy accounts fool you.
This article was written by Tom Harrison, who has seven years of experience in catamaran charter and operation. He has managed over 40 charter vessels and helped more than 150 families complete their first charter voyage. The data and case studies in this article are drawn from his personal records and public reports from sailing associations in multiple countries from 2019 to 2023.This article contains no sponsored content.