Bareboat Charter: What It Is and What You Need to Rent One

Updated October 31, 2026

BigSkipper may earn a commission when you book through some links. We do not test or inspect boats; these guides explain how renting works and what to compare.

In a bareboat charter you rent a boat, often a sailboat or catamaran, without a captain or crew, and you're responsible for running it. It's the most independent way to charter, but you have to show you can handle the boat.

Bareboat vs. crewed charter

	Bareboat	Crewed or captained
Who runs the boat	You (the charter skipper)	A professional captain and maybe crew
Experience needed	Yes, usually shown by a sailing resume or certifications	None
Cost drivers	Boat, season, security deposit, fees	Boat plus crew pay and tips

What charter companies usually ask for

A sailing or boating resume showing your experience on similar boats
Certifications from bodies such as ASA or US Sailing, or an international certificate where required
A competent second crew member, in many cases
A security deposit or damage waiver

Requirements are set by each charter company and local authorities. If you don't qualify, many companies offer a captain for the first day or the whole trip.

Questions to ask before booking

What's included: fuel, dinghy, safety gear, provisioning?
What insurance is included, and what's the deductible? See boat rental insurance.
What's the cancellation and weather policy?

Use the boat rental cost calculator to budget, and read the U.S. Coast Guard's boating safety resources.

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