Abstract: This isn’t your typical textbook-style guide to chartering a boat; rather, it’s a firsthand account of my five-year journey along the coasts of Europe and the United States—from my first, clueless charter to my current ability to help beginners avoid pitfalls.Drawing on my own experiences, I’ll tell you which details we tend to overlook when choosing a boat, which “little things” during the trip can ruin your entire vacation, and how to rent a more suitable boat for less money.If you’re planning a catamaran trip, this article can save you time, money, and a lot of embarrassment.
Author’s Note: My name is Mike, and I’m an amateur boating enthusiast with five years of experience sailing in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.I’m not a captain, nor am I affiliated with a charter company—just an ordinary sailor who heads out to sea at least three times a year and has encountered countless situations. Every piece of advice in this guide comes straight from my own wallet and hard-earned experience.
Choosing a Boat: Don’t Just Look at the Photos—Those “Small” Issues Are the Biggest Headaches
When I chartered a boat for the first time, I stared intently at the photos on the official website for a full three days. The sunshine, the turquoise sea, and the ice-cold beers on the deck—it all looked so perfect, so great—simply amazing.But what was the reality? On my very first day aboard, I noticed that the kitchen faucet wouldn’t tighten properly—it was so loose that water sprayed everywhere, leaving a complete mess.
You never know what’s hidden behind the photos.
It’s a well-known fact that catamarans—boats with two connected hulls—are more stable than monohulls. However, stability doesn’t mean there aren’t hidden dangers.I’ve seen countless first-time boaters who focus only on the number of cabins and the size of the deck, while overlooking several details that could lead to serious consequences:
Take the condition of the anchor winch, for example. Once, while in Greece, the anchor winch actually jammed. The four of us took turns pulling up the anchor by hand until we were completely exhausted.Before chartering a boat, be sure to ask when the windlass was last serviced.
Freshwater tank capacity: Under the Caribbean sun, showering is a necessity, yet many catamarans have tanks that last only two days. The very first thing I learned—and the first thing I do upon boarding—is to check the size of the freshwater tank and plan where to restock.
Sunshades: Don’t take statements like “there’s shade on deck” at face value.Some boats have shade structures at the helm, but the foredeck is completely exposed. In the Mediterranean in July, just half an hour of direct sunlight is enough to make you question your situation—as if you were living a completely different life.
My personal habit is to spend an hour after taking possession of the boat testing every switch, valve, and faucet one by one.Don’t think of this as a hassle—it’s a hundred times better than discovering problems while you’re already underway.
Route Planning: Don’t Trust Apps—Trust the Locals
Who doesn’t have a few sailing apps on their phone these days? But let me tell you, apps can be deceiving.
Once in the Balearic Islands, an app showed a calm anchorage, but upon arrival, I was shocked to find the area packed with local fishing boats—there was simply no room. To make matters worse, the wind shifted in the afternoon, and waves crashed directly into the cabin.
So what’s the lesson here? It’s this: you should always go a day early to chat with the local marina staff—and with the people at the shipyard, too.
They know:
which anchorages have had submerged reefs moved recently
which restaurant’s dock doesn’t have enough water depth
where there are local festivals on the weekend, with noise lasting until 3 a.m.
Among the habits I’ve since developed is this: on my first day aboard a boat, I’ll head to the marina office for a cup of coffee and spend ten minutes chatting with the old man on duty. The information they have at their fingertips is far more valuable than any app could ever provide.
"Little Things" at Sea: The Troubles Nobody Tells You About
Seasickness? No, it’s “dock sickness”
Ships with symmetrical hulls on both sides are stable, yet when they come to a stop, their swaying becomes even more peculiar and strange.The first time I spent the night at anchor, I was woken at midnight by the boat’s unusual swaying—not an up-and-down motion, but a side-to-side twisting. That sensation was even more unpleasant than seasickness.
Solution: Pay attention to the boat’s design when choosing a vessel. Older catamarans are prone to “wiggling” at anchor, but newer models feature anti-wiggle designs that make things much better. If this kind of rocking makes you queasy, try spending more time at the bow, or simply move to a different anchorage.
The Bathroom: That Topic No One Wants to Talk About
Compared to monohulls, the toilet systems on catamarans are much more fragile. Once, a friend accidentally flushed a wet wipe down the toilet, causing the entire system to clog. We spent half a day out at sea manually unclogging it—and the smell…
The golden rule is: only “edible” items are allowed in the toilet—toilet paper is a no-go—unless you’re certain the boat uses a biodegradable system. It’s best to keep a dedicated trash can on board and label it clearly.
Electricity: You Think It’s Enough, But It’s Actually Far From It
Catamarans are typically equipped with solar panels, but don’t expect them to power the air conditioning.Once in Florida, we had a blast playing all day, only to find that by nightfall, our battery was down to just 20%. Since we couldn’t turn on the AC, the cabin became as stuffy as a sauna.
Based on my experience, once you’re on board, you should first calculate your total power consumption: the refrigerator, navigation system, lights, and chargers. add these up, and you’ll find that the solar panels can only cover daytime usage; at night, you’ll have to rely on the engine or shore power. If you plan to anchor for an extended period, I recommend bringing a portable generator as well.
Budget: Hidden Costs Are More Than You Think
The costs associated with renting a boat are just the tip of the iceberg. The table below shows my actual expenses compiled over five years, based on a single seven-day trip:
| Item | Budget Range (USD) | My Actual Expenses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat Rental Fee | 3,000–8,000 | 4,500 | Much cheaper during the off-season |
| Fuel Costs | 200–500 | 350 | Varies significantly depending on distance traveled |
| Dockage fees | 300–800 | 600 | Twice as expensive during peak season |
| Food and Beverages | 400–800 | 550 | Cooking at home saves half the cost |
| Unexpected Repairs | 0–500 | 200 | That time the anchor winch broke down—it cost 400 |
| Tips | 100–300 | 150 | Dockworkers, crew members |
| Total | 4,000–10,900 | 6,350 | At least 30% more during peak season |
Please note: These figures are based on the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. If you’re traveling to Southeast Asia or the Pacific, the costs will be much lower, though the quality of the vessels varies.
Frequently Asked Questions (Questions I’ve Actually Been Asked)
Q: It’s my first time renting a catamaran. What size should I choose?
Answer: Don’t go for the biggest size. For four people, a 40-foot catamaran is plenty. For six people, you’ll need a 45-foot one. The larger the boat, the more complicated it is to handle, and the harder it is to dock.The first time I rented a 50-foot catamaran, I nearly collided with a neighboring yacht while maneuvering in reverse at the dock.
Q: Is a captain’s license required?
The answer is that it depends on the location. Most charter companies in the Caribbean do not require one, but many countries in the Mediterranean have regulations requiring at least one crew member to hold an ICC, or International Captain’s Certificate.If you don’t have this license, you can hire a local captain for about $200 to $300 a day, which will save you a lot of hassle.
Q: How much does the price differ between the off-season and peak season?
A: The price difference can be more than double. Renting a boat in the Mediterranean in July costs about $8,000 for a week. However, in October, it might only cost $4,000. The only catch is that the weather isn’t very stable during the off-season; back in October, I encountered three consecutive days of storms while in Greece.All things considered, May and September offer the best balance.
Q: Can children go on a catamaran?
A: Yes, they can, but you need to pay close attention to the safety nets. On many catamarans, the gaps between the railings are quite large, and small children can easily slip through them.I once witnessed a friend’s child nearly fall into the sea—fortunately, the mother reacted extremely quickly. Once you board the boat, the first thing you should do is inspect all railings and safety nets, and if necessary, install additional ones yourself.
Q: What’s the most commonly overlooked piece of gear?
The answer is sunscreen and insect repellent. It sounds simple enough, but many people bring only one bottle. Mosquitoes in the Caribbean are more vicious than pirates, and the sun in the Mediterranean is more intense than an oven.I always bring two bottles of high-SPF sunscreen and one bottle of extra-strong mosquito repellent.
Final Note
Think of your vacation as a catamaran trip—it’s not just a vacation, but a well-planned adventure.Don’t be fooled by those photos, and don’t let fear hold you back. Be well-prepared, bring patience and a sense of humor—the world at sea is far more exciting than any hotel.
May your anchorage always be calm and peaceful.