Crewed or Bareboat?
Last updated: 12 August 2026
This is the first fork in yacht chartering: do you want a crew running the boat for you, or will you take the helm yourself? The two models differ sharply in cost, responsibility and experience — and the wrong pick changes the character of the holiday.
On the Turkish coast the market is predominantly crewed (gulets and motor yachts); bareboat is common on sailing yachts. Our fleet carries both — this guide settles which door you should walk through.
The two models compared
| Crewed | Bareboat | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence/experience | None needed — professionals run the boat | A valid skipper's licence + provable experience required |
| Daily workload | Zero: passage-making, anchoring and meals are the crew's job | Passage plan, anchoring, fuel, provisioning — all on you |
| Cost structure | Higher base price; meal plan usually included | Lower base + security deposit + fuel/marina/cleaning on you |
| Privacy | Crew live aboard (separate quarters) — professional distance is kept | You have the boat entirely to yourselves |
| Best for | Anyone whose holiday plan is doing nothing | Licensed sailors for whom seamanship is the holiday |
The middle path: skippered charter
No licence but not aiming for a gulet budget either? There's a third way: hiring a bareboat sailing yacht with just a skipper. The skipper handles passage-making and safety; food and provisioning stay with you. For small groups it's the most economical form of the crewed experience — skippered sailing yachts in our fleet start from around €1,300 a week.
In the skippered model, the skipper's meals and berth arrangement (if the boat lacks separate quarters) must be settled in advance — we spell this out at the offer stage.
Three questions to decide
What do you want to do on holiday?
If the answer is 'books, swimming, long breakfasts' — crewed. If it's 'plotting courses, sail trim, the log book' — bareboat. The midpoint is a skippered yacht.
Are the licence and experience realistic?
For bareboat the licence alone isn't enough; the operator must trust you to anchor in a breezy afternoon. If your experience is borderline, take a skipper the first year.
What does each guest expect?
If half the group expects service and half wants adventure, lean crewed: the adventurous get their fix with the tender and helping sail; the reverse can't be fixed.
Frequently asked questions
What documents does bareboat require?
A valid skipper's licence (e.g. ICC or equivalent) and, with most operators, a sailing CV; some boats require a competent second person aboard. Share your documents at the enquiry stage and we'll confirm eligibility together.
How does the security deposit work?
It's blocked before handover and fully released on damage-free return. The amount varies by boat and is stated in the contract; some boats offer deposit insurance.
How is privacy maintained on a crewed boat?
Professional crews separate guest and working areas; outside service hours the deck is yours. A good gulet crew has mastered the art of handling everything without being seen.
Related guides
Let's plan your route together
Share your dates and guest count — our team returns a tailored offer the same day.