The World's Best Bareboat Charter Yachts

As sailors ourselves, we know that how well your yacht handles and performs on all points of sail can really make or break a bareboat charter. We also know what makes a superb sailing yacht, and like to keep a finger on the pulse of the bareboat yacht charter market at all times.

Below is our round up of some of the absolute best yachts available for charter at the moment. Spanning the globe from Croatia to the BVI, and from stripped-out racing yachts to performance-orientated mile eaters and comfortable cruisers, these boats are Helm’s bareboat yacht charter wishlist.

These yachts are all about the thrills of sailing in its purest form, and are designed to eke maximum speed and feel from every condition at every angle. From the racy Club Swan 36 to the beautiful XP-44 and the speed machine More 55, they span the size range and offer a truly exhilarating bareboat rental.

Features like carbon masts, large sail plans, rod rigging, and Code 0s are guaranteed to provide exceptional sailing up and down wind.

• XP-44: A really superb yacht. X-Yachts have a well-earnt reputation for building fast, agile yachts, both powerful and easy to handle. The XP 44 is the latest in their performance range, and it’s perfect for sailing in the wind-blessed Cyclades.

Crafted for more discerning yachtsmen, these flagship yachts promise the best of both worlds - poise and balance under sail, and absolute comfort at anchor or in marina.

A real step up from standard production boats, they feature flowing lines, incredible soft furnishings, and generous sail plans to provide a powerful, fun and yet refined ride. A real pleasure to spend a week aboard.

• X-46: Peter's pick of the bunch. The last word in mid range mile eating, this stylish, comfortable, quick yacht packs a lot of punch for 45fter. Despite its powerful sail plan, the X-46 is a more refined and relaxed charter yacht than its highly-strung sibling the XP-44. If you're interested in chartering an X-Yacht, we suggest checking out some of the Lavrion-based fleet.

• Grand Soleil 52: This is a high-performance bluewater cruising yacht, and very unique on the charter market! She is lightweight and powerful, with a well-balanced hull known for its comfort and seakeeping.

• Moody 54: A sailing yacht that truly embodies the spirit of the cruising lifestyle, the Moody 54DS redefines exactly what a monohull should be. Quality and luxury are the bywords here, and she is surprisingly sprightly for such a comfortable yacht.

The 54DS is a true deck saloon, with an unrivalled single-level cockpit offering unparalleled space, and extraordinary views. Headroom down below is impressive, at almost 2m.

This model have been extraordinarily successful on the private market, and it's fantastic to see them available for charter. Simply open the sliding doors and enjoy a panoramic view to the living area and spacious cockpit. The large protected cockpit and open deck aft are ideal for relaxing underway or at anchor.

Cruising catamarans have come a long way in the last few years, from floating caravans to the hybrid sailing and accommodation platforms they are now. Modern designs really do have something for everyone, and these are some of the best around. Honourable mentions go to the Lagoon 46 and new Bali 4.8.

• Dufour 48: The catamaran to convert even the most entrenched monohull sailor. The sleek, fast hull position her at the sailing end of the cat spectrum, while the accommodation is comfortable enough to seriously rival the competition. We tested one of the first back in 2019 and were mightily impressed!

Sleek, speedy and stylish, modern motor yachts offer an alluring combination of comfort and performance, able to cover distances unthinkable on a sailing yacht. Nothing compares to the feeling of driving your own motor boat along the Dalmatian Coast, from secluded bay to lively town quay.

• Marex 375: Practical design gives this boat a lot more space than most of this size. A great value option for two couples or a small family!
• Galeon 460 Fly: The highly anticipated 460 FLY brings back all the ground breaking innovations of the award winning 500 FLY in a more compact frame. This daring, new design clearly shows the bold path Galeon has taken to propel its yachts into the future.

Now you've seen some of the best yachts on the market, use our extensive sailing experience, destination knowledge and yacht charter expertise to help you tailor the search to find your perfect bareboat rental yacht.

We make regular visits to each sailing area, from the Adriatic Sea to the South Pacific, and know and trust every yacht charter fleet and charter company we work with, so we can guarantee that if you choose HELM for your booking, you'll have the bareboat charter holiday you deserve.

We can also help plan your sailing itinerary, to suit your group's holiday desires, from Ionian island hopping to an extraordinary Indian Ocean adventure.