Where the discount comes from
Charter fleets plan their year months in advance. Cancellations, shoulder-season gaps and odd weeks between bookings leave boats unbooked close to departure. An empty week earns the operator nothing, so many fleets release these weeks at a lower price.
Operators also pay booking agents like SailNow a commission — typically 15–20% on bareboat charters. On last-minute and off-peak weeks we combine the operator's own discount with part of our commission, within limits agreed with each fleet. You pay less, the fleet fills the week and we earn a fair fee.
Step by step
1. Find your week
Browse current deals or join Deal Alerts with your regions, boat type, skipper preference and travel window.
2. Request & hold
Send us your dates and crew. We check live availability, the fleet's licence and experience requirements, and all mandatory extras, then place a short option (hold) on the boat.
3. Confirm & pay
You receive the operator's charter contract and payment instructions. Last-minute charters are usually paid in full at booking.
4. Prepare
We send your boarding pack: marina location, check-in time, crew list form, provisioning options and suggested routes.
5. Sail
Check in with the operator, pay the security deposit or damage waiver, complete the boat briefing — and cast off.
Bareboat, skippered or crewed?
Bareboat — you're the skipper. At least one person needs a recognised licence (e.g. ICC or RYA Day Skipper) and the fleet will ask for a sailing résumé. Skippered — a professional skipper joins you; great for first-timers or relaxed holidays. Crewed — skipper plus host or chef, usually on a larger catamaran.
What's typically extra
- Fuel, marina and mooring fees
- Transit log, tourist tax and end-cleaning
- Skipper fee (and skipper's food) if skippered
- Optional: provisioning, linen packs, outboard, paddleboards
- Refundable security deposit or non-refundable damage waiver