For many aspiring sailors and cruisers, the dream of owning a yacht can feel out of reach—until they discover the smart path of buying an ex-charter vessel. Whether you’re drawn to a sleek monohull or a spacious Leopard catamaran, purchasing a yacht retired from The Moorings or Sunsail charter fleet can be a savvy, budget-friendly way to get on the water faster.
These boats, often referred to as “bare boats”, come with the basics but leave room for you to personalize and upgrade, making them the ideal blank canvas for sailors who want to outfit their boat to match their specific cruising style.
Why Buy Ex-Charter?
Buying a pre-owned yacht from The Moorings or Sunsail typically offers up to 40% savings compared to similar privately owned models. These boats are maintained on a strict service schedule throughout their charter life and undergo a thorough phase-out process before being sold, ensuring the essentials are sound and seaworthy.
What you get is a solid foundation; a hull, rigging, sails, engines, and systems that have been kept in working order and ready for the next chapter.
Unlike buying a privately owned yacht that may come with equipment you don’t need, or worse, equipment you’ll end up replacing, purchasing a bare boat allows you to choose exactly what you want, when you want it, and often at a much lower overall cost.
Outfitting Your Yacht: Essentials to Add After Purchase
Once you’ve secured your ex-charter yacht, the fun begins—customizing it to suit your cruising plans. Here are a few key areas new owners typically address:
🔒 Safety First
While the boat will meet basic safety regulations, most buyers choose to enhance their safety gear before hitting open water:
- EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)
- Life raft (check service date or purchase new)
- Dinghy and outboard for shore access and utility
- Jacklines, tethers, and personal safety gear for offshore passages
⚡ Power & Efficiency Upgrades
Many ex-charter boats come with AGM batteries and modest solar setups (if any). You can extend autonomy and comfort by upgrading:
- Switching to Lithium batteries for better energy density and faster charging
- Adding or upgrading solar panels and a charge controller
- Installing a high-output alternator or wind generator
🌊 Water & Connectivity
Planning to cruise full-time or explore off-grid destinations? Consider these add-ons:
- Watermaker to stay independent of marinas
- Starlink or other marine internet solutions for remote work, communication, and weather routing
- Upgraded navigation and communications like AIS transceivers and radar
🛋️ Personal Touches & Comfort
After years in charter service, many boats are due for a little personalization to make them feel like home:
- New upholstery or cushion foam for saloon and cockpit
- Soft goods like bedding, curtains, or rugs
- Custom canvas work: cockpit enclosures, sunshades, or biminis
- Updated galley gear and storage improvements
The Bottom Line: Value + Vision
- Ex-charter boats offer unbeatable value for buyers willing to do a little outfitting. You’re not paying for someone else’s taste in upgrades, you’re creating your own ideal cruising platform.
- For those who enjoy the process of tailoring a yacht to their lifestyle, this route is as rewarding as it is cost-effective.
- At the end of the day, you’re getting a well-built, proven design, whether it’s a bluewater-ready monohull or a spacious Leopard catamaran, with the freedom to make it uniquely yours.
Interested in available ex-charter inventory from The Moorings or Sunsail?
We work with buyers every step of the way to help them navigate the purchasing process and find the right yacht to fit their goals. Whether you’re looking to coastal cruise, live aboard, or sail the world, we’re here to help you make the leap with confidence.
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