Turkey and the Greek islands have some of the largest charter fleets in the Mediterranean, and every year a large number of boats leave those fleets and come onto the used market. An ex-charter yacht can be excellent value: it has usually been maintained on a schedule, and its price reflects its history. It can also hide the wear of many seasons with many different skippers. This guide explains how to tell the difference.
1. Why ex-charter boats are different
A privately owned yacht might be used for a few weeks a year. A charter yacht is often used for most of the season, by different crews, some experienced and some not. That means more engine hours, more sail hours, more mooring manoeuvres and more wear on everything that is touched: winches, clutches, hatches, heads, galley and upholstery. None of this is a reason not to buy; it is a reason to look carefully.
2. Start with the records
A well-run charter company keeps maintenance records. Ask for:
- Engine and generator service history, with hours at each service,
- Saildrive seal or shaft seal replacement dates,
- Rig age and the date of the last standing rigging replacement,
- Sail inventory and ages,
- Haul-out and antifouling records,
- Any incident reports: groundings, collisions, water ingress.
A grounding record is not a deal-breaker, but it tells the surveyor to look especially carefully at the keel attachment and the internal structure. See our checklist of documents and steps for buying in Turkey.
3. Keel, grid and hull
Charter boats touch the bottom more often than private boats. On survey, the keel-to-hull joint, the keel bolts and the internal grid or floors that carry keel loads are inspected closely. The hull is sounded and moisture-read; blisters, filled repairs and fairing are noted.
4. Rig and sails
Charter rigs work hard. Standing rigging has a limited service life, and many insurers ask about its age. Terminals, chainplates, the mast step and the boom fittings are inspected. Sails are often the first thing to be replaced after purchase, so their condition and age should be priced in.
5. Engines and saildrives
- Engine hours are compared with the service record.
- Cold start, smoke, oil and coolant are checked; the engine is run under load on the sea trial.
- On saildrives, the seal and its replacement date are key; on shaft drives, the cutless bearing and shaft seal.
- Exhaust elbows and raw water circuits are inspected.
6. Deck gear and hatches
Winches, clutches, blocks and tracks show the wear of many crews. Hatches and portlights are checked for leaks: water marks on the headlining and in lockers show where they have been leaking.
7. Systems and interior
- Heads and holding tanks: pumps, hoses and valves.
- Fresh water system: pumps, water heater and tanks.
- Electrical panel: additions made over the years, battery condition and charging.
- Interior: joinery, upholstery, floorboards and doors. Misaligned doors can be an indirect sign of structural movement.
8. Price and negotiation
Ex-charter boats are priced with their history in mind. The survey report separates normal wear for the boat’s age from findings that need action. A-class findings (safety or urgent) are either repaired by the seller or reflected in the price; B-class findings go into your first-season budget. Our guide to reading a survey report explains how.
9. After the purchase
Many ex-charter boats come with charter-specific equipment and layouts. Plan a first-season list: sails, upholstery, electronics, perhaps a watermaker or solar. A refit plan based on the survey is the most cost-effective way to turn a charter boat into your own.
Frequently asked questions
Are ex-charter yachts a bad buy?
No. A charter boat that has been maintained on record can be a sound purchase at a fair price. The survey and the records tell you which kind you are looking at.
How many seasons is too many?
There is no single number; maintenance matters more than age. A well-kept boat with many seasons can be in better condition than a neglected private boat.
Can I buy a boat while it is still in the fleet?
Some companies sell boats at the end of a season. Plan the survey, including a haul-out and sea trial, before the sale is completed.