Boat lovers know the dilemma and the often difficult question: charter or buy? It’s not an easy decision, because this is often where emotions meet rationality. Two worlds that you and your personal environment have to deal with. The decision essentially depends on your own preferences, the planned use, the preferred area and, last but not least, of course, the budget available for this hobby. SeaHelp compares the respective advantages and disadvantages here and in the following articles and provides help and tips based on practical examples.
Advantages of buying a boat
The boat equipped according to your own wishes and ideas can be used by you, your family or good friends at any time. The generally long-term investment in buying a boat can be more cost-effective than chartering for years if the boat is used appropriately.
Disadvantages of buying a boat
In addition to the (often high) investment sum when buying the floating dream, there are costs for storage, maintenance and insurance, which are incurred regularly and must of course be included in the calculation. Apart from a few exceptions, the loss in value over the years is also a factor that should be included in a serious overall assessment of the pros and cons of owning a boat. This fact leads directly to the topic of charter boats.
Advantages of a charter boat
You have no acquisition costs and the charter provider takes care of maintenance and repairs on site. The great freedom in the choice of area and boat is a special trump card in the overall consideration. Arrival, boat handover, instruction, bunkering…off you go.
Disadvantages of charter boats
In order to get your dream boat, you have to book early – including the corresponding flights if necessary – and are therefore limited in time and usually also financially. If you make a large number of bookings, the charter fees can be more expensive than buying a boat.
Important questions before buying a boat: area, accessibility and infrastructure
However you approach the subject for yourself: At the end of all considerations, your decision will depend on how much time you and your crew can spend on the boat and whether the appropriate financial requirements for purchase and running costs are available.
SeaHelp founder Wolfgang Dauser recommends that before deciding “for or against buying a boat”, the not insignificant question of the planned (dream) area should first be the focus of attention:
- Where do I and my family want to spend the best days and weeks of the year?
- Is the area easily accessible by car or are cheap (direct) flights available, at least during the season?
- What infrastructure do I expect from the port of departure?
Information on the main European water sports areas – including guidelines for an annual berth – a first aid
Greece:
- Only accessible by plane.
- Infrastructure very good in a few large marinas and very modest in the rest.
- Yacht size should be over 40 feet.
- Annual mooring costs for 40 feet € 5,500.
Turkey:
- Can only be reached by plane.
- Limited legal certainty as not an EU country.
- Infrastructure very good in a few large marinas and very modest in the rest.
- Yacht size should be over 40 feet.
- Annual mooring costs for 40 feet € 8,000.
Italy:
- Accessible with your own car.
- Infrastructure excellent in many marinas and very modest in a few.
- Boat and yacht size should be over 30 feet.
- Annual mooring costs for 40 feet € 6,500.
Slovenia:
- Accessible by car.
- Infrastructure very good in almost all marinas.
- Boat and yacht size should be over 25 feet.
- Annual mooring costs for 40 feet € 7,500.
Croatia:
- Accessible by car.
- Infrastructure very good in many marinas and very modest in some marinas.
- Boat and yacht size should be over 25 feet.
- Annual mooring costs for 40 feet € 8,500.
Spain / Balearic Islands:
- Can only be reached by plane.
- Very good infrastructure in all marinas.
- Yacht size should be over 50 feet.
- Annual mooring costs for 40 feet € 24,000.
Spain / mainland:
- Can only be reached by plane.
- Infrastructure in all marinas very good.
- Yacht size should be over 40 feet.
- Annual berth costs for 40 feet € 10,000.
France / Côte d’Azur:
- Can only be reached by plane.
- Very good infrastructure in all marinas.
- Yacht size should be over 60 feet.
- Annual mooring costs for 40 feet € 17,000.
North Sea and Baltic Sea:
- Accessible by car.
- Infrastructure in many marinas good to very good.
- Boat and yacht size should be over 30 feet.
- Annual mooring costs for 40 feet € 3,500.
Conclusion
In conclusion, SeaHelp advises: If you and your family are new to nautical tourism, you should first charter different boats/yachts – in different areas – for a few years. With the experience you have then gained, you can make all decisions on a sound basis, because if you buy straight away, you may not only lose a lot of money.
