34 terms explained
Yacht Charter Glossary
A comprehensive A to Z guide to yacht charter terminology. Whether you're a first-time charterer or an experienced sailor, this glossary covers every term you need to know.
A
- APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance)
- A fund (typically 25 to 35% of the charter fee) paid before the charter to cover running costs including fuel, food, beverages, port fees, and incidentals. Any unspent APA is refunded after the charter.
Related: Charter Fee, Running Costs
B
- Beach Club
- An enclosed or semi-enclosed area at the stern of a superyacht, typically at water level, offering direct sea access, seating, and often a bar. A signature feature of modern superyachts.
Related: Swim Platform, Tender Garage
- Beam
- The width of a yacht at its widest point. Wider beam = more interior volume and stability. Catamarans have significantly wider beams than monohulls.
- Berth
- A sleeping space on a yacht, or a place in a marina/harbour where a yacht is moored. 'The yacht has 12 berths' means it sleeps 12 guests.
- Bow
- The front of the yacht. The bow area often features a sun lounge (foredeck), one of the most sought-after spots for sunbathing and relaxation.
C
- Cabin
- A private bedroom on a yacht. Superyacht cabins include en-suite bathrooms, individually controlled climate, and luxury furnishings. Types include master, VIP, double, and twin.
Related: Berth, Master Cabin
- Captain
- The licensed professional responsible for the yacht's navigation, safety, and overall management. Charter yacht captains hold internationally recognised maritime licences and extensive local knowledge.
- Charter Fee
- The base cost of hiring a yacht for a specific period, covering the yacht, crew, and insurance. Does not include APA costs (fuel, food, port fees). Usually quoted as a weekly rate.
Related: APA, Running Costs
- Crew
- The professional team operating the yacht: captain, chief officer, engineer, chef, stewardesses, and deckhands. Superyachts typically have a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1 or better.
Related: Captain, Chef, Stewardess
- Cruising Speed
- The yacht's comfortable, fuel-efficient travel speed. Motor yachts: 10 to 18 knots. Sailing yachts: 6 to 10 knots. Maximum speed is typically 20 to 50% higher but uses significantly more fuel.
Related: Knot, Range
D
F
G
- GRT (Gross Register Tonnage)
- A measure of a yacht's total internal volume, not weight. Used for registration, marina fees, and crew requirements. Larger GRT = more interior space. Not to be confused with displacement.
Related: LOA, Displacement
J
- Jacuzzi
- A heated whirlpool/hot tub installed on the sundeck or foredeck. A standard feature on superyachts 35m+. Often the highlight for guests, sundowners in the Jacuzzi is a quintessential superyacht experience.
Related: Sundeck, Beach Club
K
- Knot
- A unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour (1.852 km/h). A yacht cruising at 12 knots travels approximately 22 km/h. Used universally in maritime navigation.
Related: Cruising Speed, Nautical Mile
L
M
- Marina
- A harbour with docking facilities for yachts, offering services like fuel, water, electricity, and shore access. Premium marinas (Port Hercules, Porto Cervo) charge significant daily fees for superyachts.
Related: Berth, Port
- Master Cabin
- The largest and most luxurious cabin on the yacht, reserved for the primary charterer. Usually located on the main deck with panoramic windows, walk-in wardrobe, and full-beam en-suite bathroom.
- Motor Yacht
- A yacht powered primarily by engines rather than sails. Motor yachts offer more indoor/outdoor space, stability, speed, and amenities compared to equivalent-length sailing yachts. The dominant type for luxury charter.
Related: Sailing Yacht, Catamaran
N
- Nautical Mile
- The standard unit of distance at sea, equal to 1,852 metres (1.15 statute miles). Based on one minute of latitude. Used for navigation and charter itinerary planning.
Related: Knot
R
- Running Costs
- Operational expenses during a charter covered by the APA: fuel, food, beverages, port/marina fees, communications, and customs fees. Typically 25 to 35% of the charter fee for a standard week.
Related: APA, Charter Fee
S
- Sailing Yacht
- A yacht powered primarily by sails, with auxiliary engines. Sailing yachts offer a more authentic maritime experience, lower fuel costs, and eco-friendliness. Generally 20 to 40% less expensive to charter than equivalent motor yachts.
Related: Motor Yacht, Catamaran
- SeaBob
- A handheld underwater scooter that pulls swimmers through the water at up to 15 km/h. One of the most popular water toys on superyachts. Available on most yachts 30m+.
Related: Water Toys, Tender
- Stabilisers
- Hydraulic fins or gyroscopic systems that reduce a yacht's rolling motion at anchor and underway. Zero-speed stabilisers work even when stationary, essential for guest comfort, especially for those prone to seasickness.
Related: Cruising Speed
- Stern
- The rear of the yacht. On superyachts, the stern typically houses the swim platform, beach club, and tender garage, the social hub for water activities.
Related: Bow, Swim Platform
- Stewardess
- A female crew member responsible for guest hospitality: cabin service, table setting, cocktails, and ensuring guest comfort. Chief stewardess manages the interior team and oversees all guest-facing service.
Related: Crew, Chef
- Sundeck
- The uppermost open deck of a superyacht, typically featuring sun loungers, a bar, Jacuzzi, and sometimes a DJ booth. The prime social and sunbathing area.
- Swim Platform
- A platform at the stern of the yacht at water level for easy sea access. Modern superyachts feature hydraulic swim platforms that lower into the water, creating a private beach.
Related: Beach Club, Stern
T
- Tender
- A smaller boat carried on a superyacht for shore transfers, exploration, and watersports. Tenders range from 3m RIBs to 10m luxury chase boats. Essential for anchoring away from marinas.
Related: Tender Garage, Water Toys
- Tender Garage
- An enclosed space (usually in the stern) for storing tenders and water toys. Accessed via a hydraulic door or platform. Larger superyachts have garages that can hold multiple tenders and extensive toy collections.
Related: Tender, Water Toys
V
- VIP Cabin
- The second-most prestigious cabin after the master, typically offering a king-size bed, en-suite bathroom, and premium furnishings. Many superyachts have 2+ VIP cabins for important guests.
Related: Master Cabin, Cabin
W
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