Finding the right yacht broker for you

A yacht broker’s role is to be an expert in the yacht charter industry. After deciding that you wish to go on a yacht charter, whether it’s a crewed or a bareboat charter, you can set about choosing a yacht broker to assist you with finding the perfect yacht, crew, route and itinerary. A good yacht broker will have:

• access to the most important yacht portals and all the reputable yachts around the world
• will be a member of at least one yachting association
• will know, understand and use the yacht charter contract widely used in the crewed yacht charter industry – MYBA charter contract and CYBA charter contract
• will have great connections with crews to ensure you get the perfect match
• will be visiting at least two international yacht shows a year to inspect yachts and to network within the industry, learning about the latest trends

The phrase, ‘We set a stage, but the story is yours’ summarises perfectly the role of the yacht broker. 

Why use a yacht broker?

The value for you, the traveller, is our collaborative process, our collective knowledge, and our unique connection to our destinations.

A yacht broker has a vast wealth of knowledge and experience that is of huge value to you. Brokers have spent their careers on board the yachts, sampling the food, meeting with crews and visiting the destinations on offer. They are able to give unbiased recommendations of the best yachts and know which places are best avoided. They have access to all licenced fleets across the globe and can narrow them down to suit your criteria. The extensive links made between brokers also means that if there is something unknown to your broker, for example a boat they have not seen, they will know someone who has seen it and knows about it. A yacht broker’s knowledge is invaluable, especially in an industry which is constantly evolving. 

As well as being knowledgeable about the yachts and the locations, a yacht broker is also up to date with the necessary legalities. Brokers will be able to explain contracts to you and are able either to hold your money safely in an ESCROW account (if they are central agents of the yacht, too) or will pass the funds to a central agent who will safely hold the funds as per contract.

Finally, reputable yacht brokers have standing in the industry. So, in the unlikely event of there being any issues the broker can help troubleshoot.

The benefits of working with a broker don’t stop there. Many brokers can also assist you with organising transfers, accommodation before and after the charter, and excursions. At High Point Yachting, we have some great connections with concierge companies, as well as private villa rentals, retreats around the world and links with private jets, enabling us to offer you a true trip of a lifetime.

How to find a trustworthy broker?

Choosing a broker is not an easy task due to there being so many charter companies and brokers. Finding a broker that suits you and your way of travelling is key. Think what is important to you; do you prefer smaller more intimate companies or larger scale brokerages? Do you like a personal touch where you work closely with your broker to create a truly tailor-made experience, or do you prefer a more ‘off the shelf’ approach? Is sustainability a consideration for you? All of these will help you find the ideal yacht broker.

Above all, we believe that experience really is everything when choosing a yacht broker. The more experienced the broker, the greater their wealth of knowledge. Experienced brokers are well known in the industry, and many are contacted by other brokers to tap into their wealth of knowledge. Here at High Point Yachting we are often asked for our recommendations on the Mediterranean, specifically Croatia and we love sharing our expertise with others.

Finally, there are a selection of associations that trustworthy, reputable brokers may be part of. Two of the largest associations are CYBA (Charter Yacht Brokers Association) and MYBA (The Worldwide Yachting Association). To be accepted into these associations a set of criteria must be met. References must be provided to ensure that members are of the highest standing. Choosing a broker that belongs to either or both of these associations can assure you that you are in safe hands.

Does working with a broker cost me anything?

The best part of working with a broker is that it costs you nothing and you gain so much. A commission is paid to the broker, and this is included in the yacht charter rate. Whether you organise the charter yourself or make the most of all that a yacht broker has to offer, the price will not change.