Comfort isn't critical here, as the journey is short and it's not the part you’ll reminisce about with friends. However, there’s an important nuance for the skipper to consider.

Therefore, we recommend choosing a flight that allows you to be fresh and well-rested for check-in.

Websites like Skyscanner, Kayak, and Expedia can be useful for selecting flights.

Check-in is a crucial task requiring the skipper's attention and energy — you need to check all the details, discuss everything with the base manager, attend the skipper's briefing, and check the sails.

Getting to your starting point quickly and cheaply is straightforward.

On Saturday, you'll need to check in and possibly make the first crossing.

If you choose to fly overnight with layovers to save a few euros, it might result in a careless reception and potential problems during the trip or when returning the yacht. Ideally, you should arrive a day early and spend the night in a hotel to start your adventure fully energized the next morning.

Travel to the start point

Suppose there are eight of you going to Croatia in July, choosing between a 43-foot yacht with 2 WCs for 2,745 euros and a 46-foot boat with 3 WCs for 3,126 euros. The difference of 381 euros might seem significant, but when divided by eight, it’s just 48 euros per person for the week. Divided further by 7 days, it’s about 7 euros per day.

Then, it's useful to do the following exercise — ask your crew members if they are willing to save 7 euros a day by waiting in line for the toilet and having less time to enjoy yachting and shore excursions.

Before diving into the details, here are a couple of important points. When thinking about savings, always calculate per person.

If the answer is yes, then go for the cheaper yacht. If not, it’s clear that people value a great vacation experience over saving 7 euros a day and enduring discomfort.

A smaller size means tighter cabins, which can be uncomfortable, especially for strangers, and fewer toilets, which is critical for a week-long journey.

Model and size of the yacht

For 3 cabins, a boat from 34 feet; for 4 cabins, from 45 feet, and so on. Of course, eight close friends can squeeze into a 41-foot boat if you travel with minimal luggage and are willing to put up with inconveniences.

You can save a significant amount, but comfort is compromised.

We recommend at least one toilet for every two cabins and use the formula of 11.3 feet * number of cabins.

For some, a yacht that’s 3-4 years old is already critical because it shows natural wear and tear if not properly maintained. You might encounter issues from worn decorative elements — furniture, bedding, etc. — to real breakdowns like quickly draining batteries.

Year of yacht manufacture

At SEARADAR, we have ratings for most charter companies in the market, and some of them are on our black list — we only recommend them to the most desperate clients willing to overcome various difficulties and take risks for the sake of savings.

Less obvious compared to size. The condition of a yacht greatly depends on the charter company

We strongly recommend asking the agency where you rent the yacht for ratings and details about the charter company, especially in tropical regions, Italy, and Spain.

For other companies, even a yacht older than 5 years isn’t a problem — they keep their boats well-maintained and not only repair them but also refit them — changing sails, rigging, engines, and other important components. These yachts might not have the most modern design and some outdated elements, but they won’t cause any issues during your trip.

Imagine anchoring overnight in a beautiful bay in absolute silence, interrupted by an alarm from the refrigerator battery draining. To charge, you have to start the engine, wake up the crew, and disturb neighboring yachts with noise and diesel fumes.

This article will be supplemented later. We will tell you about other important points and ways to save that minimally impact the quality of your trip in the second part soon.