Is buying a small sailboat for charter a good investment?

• 23.12.2024.
• News, Management

Thinking about investing in a sailboat but unsure if it’s the right decision? Croatia is considered a sailing paradise, with a coastline that attracts an increasing number of sailors every year. With good yacht charter management, your sailboat can generate income. Find out if buying a vessel is truly a smart investment and which sailboat models are most in demand.

Are you considering investing in a sailboat for yacht charter? You’re not the first.  
Buying a vessel and placing it in yacht charter management is known as a good long-term investment.  
   
Why is that?  
Primarily due to the simple fact that Croatia is globally recognised as one of the best sailing destinations.  
   
Its coastline, natural beauty, national parks, nature parks, 1,244 islands, rich history, and numerous marinas attract more than a million sailors annually.     
Split, Zadar, and Dubrovnik are among the busiest nautical hubs in Europe.  
   
Another major advantage is that the Croatian coast has excellent sailing conditions, especially during the summer.     
As for yacht charter guests, we are still a destination with more affordable rental prices compared to other European destinations such as Italy or Greece.  

 

Buying a small sailboat—is it worth it?  

Realistically, sailboats between 10 and 12 meters seem like the optimal choice. They are large enough to accommodate about six people but remain economical in terms of maintenance.  
Rental prices for such sailboats range from €1,500 to €3,500 per week, depending on the season.  
   
The peak season (July and August) brings the highest income, while the pre-season (May and June) and post-season (September) can generate additional weekly rentals, amounting to a total of 15-20 weeks per year. As a boat owner, you also have the option to use the vessel yourself, which many owners do. You can sail when it suits you while the boat generates income through rentals for the rest of the year.  
   
So how can such an investment model not attract people to purchase a vessel, knowing they can enjoy it themselves (if they wish) while also reducing ownership costs?  
   

How much does buying and maintaining a sailboat (10-12 m) cost?  

The price of a new sailboat varies, much like purchasing a car, depending on the manufacturer, model, and equipment.  
Typical prices for these smaller sailboats are:  

• Beneteau Oceanis: ~€150,000  
• Jeanneau Sun Odyssey: ~€135,000  
• Bavaria Cruiser: ~€130,000  

Used sailboats, roughly 5-10 years old, can cost between €70,000 and €120,000, though they often require additional investment in equipment and renovation.  
   
Annual operating costs include:  

• Marina and berth: €8,000 - €11,000 (depending on location)  
• Maintenance and repairs: €5,000 - €10,000 (includes engine service, underwater cleaning, anode replacement, etc.)  
• Insurance: €1,500 - €2,000 per year (depending on the value of the vessel)  
• Safety equipment check: €500 - €1,000  

These costs exclude other expenses, such as sail replacement, mast repairs, or electronic equipment, which are more frequent on older vessels.  
   
And depreciation?  
The average lifespan of a sailboat in yacht charter service is 8-10 years. A well-maintained sailboat can retain its value longer, but intensive use may reduce its market value by 30-50% within the first five years.  
   
 

How yacht charter management works and what it offers  

Now that you know roughly how much a small sailboat costs and its maintenance expenses, you’re probably thinking that yacht charter management with a charter company is the best option for you.  
   
How does a yacht charter company manage vessels?  
The company assumes full operational responsibility for the boat, such as:  

• Marketing and advertising on platforms like Nautal or Click&Boat  
• Reservations and communication with clients  
• Logistics organisation (check-in, check-out, boat cleaning)  
• Regular maintenance and repairs  

There are various models of yacht charter management and cooperation with yacht charter companies, so you can choose:  

• Full management - the yacht charter company manages everything, and the owner keeps part of the revenue.  
• Split revenue model - revenue is shared in a ratio (e.g., 70% to the owner, 30% to the charter company).  
• Fixed income - the yacht charter company pays a fixed annual amount, regardless of the number of rentals.  
    

How much can you earn from a sailboat?  

A sailboat with an average weekly rental price of €2,500 over 18 weeks of rentals can generate gross revenue of €45,000.  
After deducting yacht charter management fees and operational costs, net income can (but does not have to) range between €15,000 and €25,000.  
   
Equipment also plays a significant role in the income of your vessel. However, the most critical factor is the yacht charter company managing your sailboat.   
The location of the marina where your vessel is moored is also important. Popular marinas like ACI Marina Split or Marina Dalmacija in Sukošan can influence demand.  
   
Of course, this is not without certain risks. The biggest issue is the seasonality of chartering, meaning it relies only on specific months of the year.  
   
Additionally, bad weather, economic crises, or health pandemics (such as COVID-19) can affect the number of bookings, lead guests to choose other locations, and so on.  

 

Tips for everyone considering buying a sailboat  

Of all the things you might have on your list, the most important is to choose the “right” vessel. One that is durable, can generate the best possible income, and is popular with sailors.  
For these very reasons, the most popular sailboat models up to 12m in yacht charter are:  

• Dufour 37—a modern sailboat that offers a balance between performance and comfort, ideal for beginners and experienced sailors alike  
• Bavaria C38—a well-designed sailboat that combines agility and comfort, making it a favourite among sailing enthusiasts.  
• Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440—a sailboat designed for open-sea sailing, known for its innovative layout and ease of handling.  

Before signing a yacht charter management contract, make sure to check the following:  

• Transparency regarding commissions and fees  
• Whether the agency includes repairs in the contract  
• Who covers the costs of damages caused by yacht charter guests  
    

What can we conclude—is buying a sailboat a good investment?  

Buying a sailboat for yacht charter can be a profitable investment if it is well planned.  
   
Croatia is not only a top destination but also one of the strongest yacht charter forces in the Mediterranean. Therefore, the potential for income is very high.    
However, it remains a fact that placing a vessel into yacht charter management is not as profitable as it once was.    
Still, when you take all the costs into account, profit is still profit.  
   
Be sure to hire a reliable yacht charter company that will also maintain the boat regularly.  

 

If you need any help or advice, feel free to contact us.    

Find information about yacht charter and regulations on our website, all in one place.  
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