What Are the Differences Between Sail, Power, and Crewed Yacht Charters at The Moorings?

The Moorings offers three charter styles—Sail, Power, and Crewed—and the right one depends mainly on whether you want to sail or motor, and whether you want to handle the yacht yourself or have a crew aboard. Sail charters suit travelers who want a traditional sailing experience on a monohull or catamaran, with the option to take the helm or add a skipper. Power charters use power yachts and catamarans for travelers who prefer motoring and more living space over sailing. Crewed charters pair a catamaran with professional crew, so you don't handle navigation or cooking. The company operates in more than 20 destinations worldwide and has been running charters for over 50 years.

Sail Charters: Monohulls and Catamarans

Sail is the core of The Moorings' fleet: performance monohulls and catamarans that you can sail yourself or book with a skipper.

• Monohulls are the classic sailing choice. The site's example is gliding along Greece's coastline on a classic monohull—a good fit if the sailing itself is the point of the trip.
• Catamarans offer a stable, spacious platform. The site's example is taking the helm of a catamaran in the British Virgin Islands while exploring hidden bays.
• Skippered option: if you don't have the experience or don't want the responsibility, you can "embark with a skipper" rather than take the helm yourself. The site currently lists a BVI Skipper Special—$1,000 off skipper services for sailing or power charters departing through July 31, 2027, when booked by November 2, 2026 (terms apply).

Choose Sail if you want wind-powered travel, are comfortable with (or willing to learn) basic boat handling, or want the option to add a skipper rather than commit to a full crew.

Power Charters: Motoring and Space

Power charters use The Moorings' power yachts, described on the site as "innovative and industry-leading." The site's example is a power catamaran in the Bahamas.

• No sail handling is involved, so the pace and routing depend on the engine rather than the wind.
• Power catamarans generally emphasize living space and stability, which suits groups who care more about comfort at anchor than about sailing.
• The same skipper discount applies to power charters, so a skippered power trip is an option if you want assistance without a full crew.

Choose Power if sailing isn't a priority, you want straightforward operation, or your group values space and amenities over the sailing experience.

Crewed Charters: Catamarans with Professional Crew

Crewed charters are "world-class Crewed yacht catamarans" with professional crew aboard. You are not responsible for sailing, navigation, or meals—the crew runs the yacht and the day-to-day experience.

• Best for travelers who want a hands-off vacation, are new to boating, or are celebrating a special trip where service matters more than doing it yourself.
• Because the crew handles operations, destination choice is less constrained by your own skill level.

Choose Crewed if you want a fully hosted experience and don't want to think about boat handling at all.

Side-by-Side Comparison

How to Decide

Work through these questions in order:

1. Do you want to sail? If yes, choose Sail. If not, Power or Crewed.
2. Do you want to operate the yacht yourself? If yes, Sail or Power without a skipper. If you want help but not a full crew, add a skipper (the BVI Skipper Special may apply). If you want no responsibility at all, choose Crewed.
3. How many people are traveling? The site's search tool accepts 2 to 12 passengers and trip lengths of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 14 nights, so match the vessel type to your group size and trip length.
4. Where do you want to go? The site highlights the British Virgin Islands, Greece, and the Bahamas as examples, and lists 20+ destinations. Check that your preferred destination offers the charter type you want.

Practical Notes Before Booking

• Pricing: The site shows "Yacht price & fees from" figures for specific offers—for example, a Moorings 42.3, 3 cabins, 7 nights in the British Virgin Islands from $6,749, reduced to $5,184 under a Mono Special Savings offer. Treat these as offer-specific starting points, not general rates; final pricing depends on dates, vessel, and destination.
• Seasonal offers: The site lists a BVI Special Offer of up to 15% off when booked by November 2 (terms and conditions apply), and the skipper discount noted above. Availability and terms can change, so confirm current offers at booking.
• Booking window: The departure-date selector on the site runs from October 2026 through April 2028, so plan around the dates actually shown as available.
• Verification step: Before committing, use the site's search (departure date, number of nights, number of passengers) to confirm that your chosen charter type, destination, and dates are actually offered, and read the terms attached to any discount.