When embarking on the quest to charter a yacht, the first step is to determine which type of yacht best suits your needs, preferences, and cruising style. Choosing the best yacht type for you starts with being well informed about the options available. At Valef Yachts, we simplify this process by helping you distinguish between the main categories of yachts: Motor Yachts, Motor Sailers, Sailing Yachts, and Catamarans.
Motor Yachts
Motor yachts dominate the luxury charter industry, and it is easy to see why. These vessels are considered the pinnacle of comfort, style, and speed. They range in size from around 50 feet to nearly 400 feet, offering spacious interiors that include large salons, cabins, lavish bathrooms often featuring Jacuzzi tubs, gyms, and even beauty salons. Outdoors, guests can enjoy expansive deck spaces with sunbeds, outdoor dining areas, Jacuzzis, swim platforms, and shaded lounges.
A key advantage of motor yachts is their higher cruising speeds, allowing you to travel efficiently between multiple destinations on a busy itinerary. Their relatively shallow drafts also facilitate access to secluded coves and easier docking at various ports. For families or groups seeking a combination of luxury and exploration, motor yachts provide the best opportunity to maximize your itinerary.
Motor yachts also offer ample space for storing and using a wide variety of sea toys such as jet skis, wave runners, paddleboards, water skis, and water slides. Larger vessels come with sizable crews who are housed separately from guests, dedicated to providing impeccable service and tending to every need. If you are interested in exploring the world with the utmost luxury and speed, a charter motor yacht is an excellent choice.
Motor Sailers
Motor sailers, often recognized by their wooden hulls or classic lines reminiscent of trading vessels such as Greek caiques and Turkish gulets, offer the ambiance of sailing mixed with the convenience of an engine. These yachts combine large enough engines for steady motoring with sails that add character and an authentic sailing feel when conditions allow.
Motor sailers typically feature wider beams and larger deck spaces compared to pure sailing yachts, providing increased comfort and room to roam. Fuel consumption is lower due to their generally slower cruising speeds, making them an economical option for relaxed and leisurely cruises. These vessels are ideal for those who want the charm and romance of sailing without the demands of an active sailing style. Many motor sailers can comfortably accommodate up to 16 passengers at affordable charter prices.
Explore our current selection of charter motor sailers to find a vessel that matches your style of cruising.
Sailing Yachts
Sailing yachts are traditionally mono-hulled vessels primarily propelled by wind, with engines used mainly for maneuvering in ports or when wind conditions are unfavorable. In past decades, sailing yachts were characterized by simpler amenities and less space compared to motor yachts. However, advancements in design and luxury outfitting have significantly reduced this gap, and many large sailing yachts today rival motor yachts in comfort and facilities.
Those who charter sailing yachts often have a deep passion for the sailing experience itself. The thrill of feeling the wind fill the sails, hearing the gentle creaking of rigging, and experiencing the serenity of quiet, engine-less travel offers a connection to the sea that is unique and profound. While sailing yachts generally cruise at slower speeds—around 10 knots—the journey is a vital part of the adventure.
Chartering a sailing yacht can be done on a bareboat basis by competent sailors or with professional skipper and crew who provide attentive service, including gourmet cooking and housekeeping. For those who wish to combine adventure and luxury, charter sailing yachts offer the best of both worlds.
Catamarans — Multi-hulled Yachts
Catamarans are sailing yachts with two parallel hulls connected by a spacious deck and cabin structure. These yachts are highly favored by groups seeking stability at sea, vast deck space, and a relaxed cruising experience. Catamarans provide exceptional room onboard, often offering cabins of equal size with double beds and en-suite bathrooms, making them perfect for couples, families, and friends traveling together.
This type of yacht is ideal for those who prefer stable cruising and plenty of social space. Their shallow draft allows access to hidden anchorages and crystal-clear bays that might be off-limits to larger monohull yachts. Catamarans also typically have lower fuel consumption and offer more recreational opportunities due to their broad decks.
Power catamarans, equipped with engines, combine the comfort and space of catamarans with faster cruising speeds, suitable for guests wanting to maximize destinations without sacrificing stability.
Browse our available charter catamarans to find the spacious and comfortable option for your next vacation.
Pros and Cons of Different Yacht Types
Choosing the ideal yacht type is easier when you understand the advantages and potential trade-offs of each option. Below is a concise comparison of motor yachts, motor sailers, sailing yachts, and catamarans to help highlight which type best suits your cruising style and preferences.
| Yacht Type | Pros | Cons |
| Motor Yachts | High cruising speed allows visiting more destinations quickly, spacious interiors and decks, advanced amenities including gyms and Jacuzzis, shallow drafts for easier access to coves, large crew for excellent service | Higher fuel consumption, generally higher operating costs, engine noise, less eco-friendly |
| Motor Sailers | Combines motor and sail propulsion for versatility, larger deck and interior space than pure sailing yachts, slower speeds save fuel, comfortable relaxed cruising experience, more affordable charter rates | Slower than motor yachts, less sailing performance for enthusiasts, fewer luxury amenities |
| Sailing Yachts | Quiet, wind-powered cruising for a classic sailing experience, lower fuel consumption, closer connection to nature, increasingly luxurious options available | Slower speeds, smaller cabins, less interior space than motor yachts, less stable in rough seas |
| Catamarans | Superior stability and spacious deck areas, shallow draft allows access to secluded spots, fuel-efficient, ideal for families and groups prone to seasickness, cabins generally equal in size | Larger docking fees due to size, less maneuverable in tight spaces, different sailing feel than monohulls |
Finding Your Perfect Yacht Match: Priorities and Personalized Service
Choosing the right yacht depends largely on your personal priorities and what you want to get out of your charter experience. Whether you seek speed to visit multiple destinations efficiently, unparalleled luxury with lavish amenities, the serenity and romance of traditional sailing, spaciousness for a large group, or stability on the water for a smooth ride, each yacht type offers distinct advantages to match those desires. Understanding these differences empowers you to select a vessel that provides the ideal blend of comfort, adventure, and relaxation tailored to your family or group’s unique dynamic.
The right choice ensures your vacation is seamless and unforgettable, whether onboard you prefer thrilling water sports, tranquil sunbathing, or immersive cultural excursions at your ports of call. If you would like expert advice to navigate these options and find the best yacht that fits your needs and preferences, our experienced brokers are ready to assist you every step of the way. Reach out anytime to contact us and begin exploring the wide range of outstanding yachts available in our fleet. To browse the full selection and discover your next dream yacht, view our fleet today.
