How Yachtaris works

Offered exclusively by crewed boats, advanced provisioning allowance (APA) is the extra fee that you pay in advance to cover the cost of provisions for your charter. You pay it on top of the booking fee.

Think of APA as petty cash for the captain, the cook, and the hostess. They use the money to cover your food and drink, fuel costs, delivery, harbor fees, and cost of other services they handle for your group.

Transit log, also known as comfort package/charter package (and rarely, preparation fee), is a service fee you, in most cases, pay at check-in*. It’s mandatory and directly collected by the charter company that rents the boat. Almost all charters take both cash and credit cards for this charge, and you pay before departure.

* (In rare cases, Yachtaris collects this fee in your initial booking payment. This happens at charter company request and isn’t common. Don’t worry – every boat page has transit log payment details & we’ll let you know if we’re required to charge you immediately.)

It can range from €100 to approximately €1000 (sometimes more) for non-crewed boat rentals. On average, expect to pay between €200 and €300 for a mid-range boat in most Mediterranean countries.

The golden rule: if it’s included in the charter package, you’re getting it without paying extra. So, no hidden charges, no ugly surprises. On Yachtaris, each boat’s page will tell you exactly what’s in included in the transit log… and exactly how much you’re going to pay for it.

In 90% of the rentals, the transit log covers:

• boat rental logistics & paperwork (registration, diving checks, etc.)
• fresh bed linens & towels (one set clean for linens, 2 towels per person)
• final cleaning
• stove gas

Some of our partners include extras here to make your stay more comfortable:

• kitchen & bathroom starter pack (toilet paper, washing up liquid, etc.)
• outboard motor & fuel (5 liters)
• stand-up-paddle (SUP)
• barbecue
• Wi-Fi access
• dinghy

On crewed-only boats, the charter package charge will also include crew cost. In that case, the cost can increase significantly… but you’ll be waited on hand and foot during your entire stay!

Why is it called the transit log?

So you want to earn extra credit and impress your shipmates?

While this charge could easily and more understandably be called ‘preparation fee’, the old Turkish customs & sea trade term stuck and is still in use worldwide. Transit log (which is still used in Türkiye in its original form) is an official document given to the harbor master or custom authority officer. It covers immigration, customs, and other paper checks, and is required when navigating territorial waters.

One-and-done deal

Remember – the transit log charge is not a per-person, per-night affair.

It’s a one-and-done fixed charge that’s mandatory no matter how many shipmates you bring aboard or how many days you rent.

When choosing your boat, carefully check the boat description page to see what’s included in the transit log to avoid paying extra for something that you’ve already paid for.

And, if you have questions, contact our support team and we’ll give you a hand figuring things out.

The boat charter company needs a security deposit before releasing the boat in your care. This deposit is a temporary lump sum amount that the charter company needs as a guarantee that you will take good care of their boat. The full deposit amount is returned to you after the boat is safely back (undamaged and no major items/equipment missing).

You will need anywhere between €500 and €5,000 for the security deposit. The amount depends on boat size, amenities, and extra equipment. Brand new boats come with a higher deposit amount.

The average deposit amount (on 80% + boats listed on Yachtaris) is between €1000 and €3000.

When booking through Yachtaris, you will see the full deposit amount on each boat’s page, so you know exactly what amount you need to (temporarily) budget and when you’ll need to have it available (at booking or at check-in).

This deposit covers any potential bumps or bruises that might happen to/on the boat during your trip, as well as missing equipment or items. Most charter companies collect the security deposit for the boat during check-in, and you can cover it with cash or a credit/debit card hold. With CC, the deposit amount is ‘reserved’ on your card, which means you can’t use it until it’s released back by the charter company.

You will get your deposit cash back when you return the boat in the same condition they gave it to you. Same goes for your credit card hold – the funds are released after safe return of the boat (though it might take your CC company/bank a few days to process the return).

Security deposit insurance is a policy that insures your deposit amount, either partially or totally. If the charter company needs to keep your deposit to cover accidental damage or missing equipment, your insurance company pays you out. We don’t offer deposit insurance, and neither do most charter companies. If you want to insure your charter deposit, contact your preferred insurance company.

Don’t forget, your adventure on the waves isn’t just about the boat rental fee.

You’ll also have a few obligatory charges like the tourist tax and transit log. If you’re feeling fancy and want extras like a stand-up paddleboard, a skipper, or an outboard motor, budget extra for them.

But don’t worry, we’re not about to spring any surprises on you. We’ll show your total cost at every stage of your booking process, with a clear cost breakdown of what you pay online and what you pay at check-in. All the extras you choose – individual amounts & the total amount – will be clearly visible before you complete your booking.

The most considerable extras you’ll have to budget for are boat fuel (diesel) and marina fees. Those expenses are never paid online or at check-in, but directly in marinas and at fuel stations.

If you’re hiring any crew (skipper, hostess, cook), you’ll make payment arrangements with the charter company. In rare cases, we might charge your crew costs at booking and at charter’s request, but that’s not common practice and we’ll clearly state it on the boat page.

Tourist tax (also known as sojourn tax) is a small mandatory fee you pay for every overnight stay in charter destination country. Most charter destination countries collect a form of this tax from tourists.

Tourist tax is usually calculated and paid per person, per day.

You pay the full amount of tourist tax to the charter company during check-in. (Some charter companies don’t accept credit card payments when settling this fee. If that’s the case, this information will be on the boat page. If it’s not there or it’s not clear, contact us, and we’ll double-check and get back to you. Our advice is to calculate the total amount in advance (number of guests X number of nights you’re staying), and make sure you have enough cash at check-in. )

While almost all countries collect this fee, the amount is never outrageous. For example, in Croatia, tourist tax is capped at €1.40 per person per day. It could be less or even nothing, depending on where you are in the country and your age (children under 12 don’t pay).

(Besides per person, per day calculation, some destinations also offer alternatives, like paying per boat length. However, per person, per day model is almost universal and usually the most affordable way to pay.)

Travel insurance is your safety net in case of unexpected – and costly – events that can happen during your boat holiday. Travel insurance policies can financially cover you for a lot of unforeseen events, but are mostly used to insure against medical emergencies, lost or delayed luggage, and personal liability.

You’re not required to take out travel insurance when booking your boat with us, but we highly recommend it for your peace of mind. We do not offer travel insurance: if you want to take it out for the duration of your sea adventure, please contact your preferred insurance company.

Cancellation insurance is special travel insurance that covers your boat rental payment(s) in case you have to cancel your booking.

Depending on the type of insurance policy you arrange, you’re entitled to a partial or full refund of your costs (covered by the insurance company).

Yachtaris doesn’t offer cancellation insurance. Some of our charter partners do offer it as an extra. If it’s available for your boat, it will be on the boat page under extras. Alternatively, you can insure your booking with your preferred insurance company.

The fuel (diesel) for the boat is not included in the booking price.

Just like when renting a car, the fuel’s an extra cost you need to cover. You’ll start your voyage with a full tank of diesel fuel. And you’re expected to return the boat the same way.

Worried about refueling? Our suggestion is to talk with the charter company employee at the check-in. They’ll give you first-hand information on how and where to refuel before dropping off the boat.

If your boat has a dinghy and an outboard motor, the fuel (petrol) for that is included in the price (usually, you get a 5L canister that you don’t have to refill).

To find payment methods available at the charter company base (during check-in), scroll to the bottom of the boat page.

In most cases, they accept cash, credit card, and wire transfer payments.

Much like when you rent a car, there’s a check at the beginning and end of your trip. As long as the boat comes back in shipshape (that includes all equipment and items), you’ll get the full amount back.

If the charter company finds damage on the boat (or missing items or equipment), they can keep some or all of your deposit. Expect a thorough check – including an underwater dive sweep – once you return the boat.

To keep things above board, we strongly recommend that you be present during both checks. Point out any existing visible damage on the boat, and make sure that it’s recorded by the charter employee.

Not 100% happy with the check?

Don’t be shy to take extra photos with your phone – those could come in handy in case of a dispute with the charter company.