What can you realistically expect in fuel costs on a yacht charter with crew? Below you will find clear guidelines: what determines consumption, how settlement via APA works and concrete example amounts per type of yacht and sailing day. So you can plan your budget without surprises. See also Budgeting for a yacht charter with crew (example budget) for a complete cost breakdown.
What determines fuel costs on a yacht charter with crew
Fuel costs depend on several factors that either reinforce or dampen each other. The main ones are:
- Yacht type and length: displacement motor yachts and sailing yachts consume less than planing motor yachts of equal length. Catamarans are often more economical at the same cruising speed.
- Sailing profile: faster cruising and many miles per day drive up consumption. Quieter routes with short legs are more economical.
- Weather and sea: headwinds, currents and waves require more power and therefore more litres per hour.
- On-board systems: generator, air-conditioning, desalination plant, stabilisers and tenders count. Even without sailing, fuel consumption can be significant.
- Loading and hull condition: heavy loading and a fouling hull increase drag and consumption.
- Port manoeuvres and anchoring: lots of short starts, thrusters and persistent generator use increase daily totals.
How does fuel billing through APA work?
In luxury yacht charters with crew, variable costs are usually settled via APA, the Advanced Provisioning Allowance. This is usually 30 to 35 per cent of the charter price and covers fuel, port charges, provisions and local taxes, among others. The captain keeps an expense log and offsets costs at current fuel prices in the sailing area. Unused APA is refunded upon completion; overages are settled on board. Find more background in Cost of a superyacht charter (APA, VAT, gratuities).
Calculate for fuel with current marine or bunker prices in your region. In the Mediterranean and Caribbean, marine diesel prices are often roughly between €1.20 and €2.50 per litre, depending on country, season and volume. The crew will advise you in advance on an appropriate APA level based on route and intended cruising speed. Want to know if fuel is included as standard or charged separately? Read Is fuel included on a superyacht charter?
Practical fuel-saving tips
- Choose an itinerary with short day distances and plan windward whenever possible.
- Cruise at efficient cruising speed rather than top speed.
- Reduce unnecessary generator hours by smart energy consumption on board.
- Keep hull clean and trim loading.
- Discuss daily consumption log and optimisations with the captain.
Are you new to the process? Read How APA works on a yacht charter for a clear explanation of fuel and other variable costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a full tank for a yacht cost?
It depends on tank size and local litre price. A 20m motor yacht with 3,000-litre tank will cost around €5,400 at €1.80 per litre to fully bunker. Larger yachts often have 10,000 litres or more, with correspondingly higher amounts.
How much does it cost to refuel a yacht?
Most larger yachts run on diesel. Sport boats and tenders often use petrol, which can be similar or slightly more expensive per litre than marine diesel in the same port. Do the math with current pump prices in your sailing area and the tender's consumption.
What is the cost of fuel for a boat?
For a charter with crew, fuel costs range from several hundred euros per sailing day for economical sailing yachts to thousands of euros per day for fast motor yachts and superyachts. Your final cost follows from hours of sailing, system usage and litre price. See also What's included in a superyacht charter for an overview of fixed and variable items.
Want an accurate estimate for your trip and yacht choice? Get in touch with Global Yacht Charter. We will calculate an itinerary-specific consumption estimate and advise on an appropriate APA budget.
