What is a motor yacht charter?
A motor yacht charter puts a powered luxury vessel at your disposal — from a sporty 40-foot cruiser to a 100-foot-plus motor yacht with multiple decks and a full crew. Unlike a sailing yacht, propulsion comes entirely from engines, so you cruise faster, in more comfort, and reach far more destinations in a week. Motor yachts suit travelers who prioritize the destination and onboard luxury over the craft of sailing.
Types of motor yacht
Motor yachts span a wide range. Open and sport cruisers (30–50ft) are day-and-weekend boats, fast and fun. Flybridge motor yachts (45–80ft) are the charter sweet spot — spacious, with an upper helm and sun deck. Trawlers and long-range cruisers trade speed for range and economy. Above 80ft you enter superyacht territory, with professional crews and limitless amenities.
What a motor yacht charter costs
Motor yachts cost more to charter and run than comparable sailing yachts, chiefly due to fuel. A bareboat or skippered motor yacht in the 40–50ft range typically runs $5,000–$15,000 per week plus fuel, while crewed motor yachts climb from there. Fuel is the variable to watch — cruising fast burns significantly more than a relaxed pace. Our charter cost guide breaks down all the numbers.
Bareboat vs crewed
Smaller motor yachts can be chartered bareboat (you drive) if you hold the right qualifications, or skippered for a professional at the helm. Larger motor yachts come crewed, with a captain and often a chef and steward. If you want to relax entirely, crewed is the way — see our crewed charter guide. For the comparison, read bareboat vs crewed.
Best destinations
Motor yachts shine where there's a lot to see across open water: the French Riviera and Italian coast, the Balearics, Croatia's island-dense Dalmatian coast, the Bahamas, and Florida. Their speed lets you base from a glamorous port and range widely each day. Explore our destination guides to plan a route.
