What's Included in a Crewed Abacos Charter (and What's Not)
A clear breakdown of what's covered on a crewed catamaran charter in the Abacos and which extras to budget for before you arrive.
One of the first questions people ask when planning a crewed charter is straightforward: what exactly am I paying for? The answer matters because it shapes how you budget, what you pack, and what surprises — or lack of them — await when you arrive in Marsh Harbour.
A crewed Abacos charter covers the big things. The yacht, the captain, the route through the islands. But it is not quite all-inclusive, and understanding the line between what is covered and what is extra helps you plan a trip with no awkward moments at checkout.
This guide breaks it down clearly so you know what to expect.
What's included in your charter
When you book with Sail Abacos, the charter rate covers the essentials that make the trip possible.
The yacht
You get the entire Let's Geaux for your group — a 2021 Bali Catspace, 40 feet of modern French catamaran design. Four queen cabins, four heads, air conditioning, a full galley, a watermaker that keeps fresh water flowing, twin engines, and a flybridge with views in every direction. The boat accommodates up to eight guests comfortably, and it is yours for the duration of the charter. No shared spaces with strangers, no scheduled activities you did not choose.
The amenities aboard — the A/C, the watermaker, the galley equipment — are all part of the package. You have everything you need to cook, sleep, and stay comfortable whether anchored in a quiet cove or docked at a marina.
The captain
Capt. Ron — Captain Ronald Rolle — comes with the boat. He is a local Bahamian captain with decades of experience sailing the Abacos. He knows the water, the weather patterns, the best anchorages for the wind that day, and where to find the swimming pigs when nobody else is around.
His expertise is part of what you are paying for. He handles the sailing, the anchoring, the navigation through the cays. You can be as involved or as hands-off as you like. Want to learn to sail? He will teach you. Want to sit on the flybridge with a drink while he does the work? That works too.
You choose between two modes. In Captain by Day, Capt. Ron sails with you during daylight hours and leaves the boat each evening, giving your group privacy at anchor. In Fully Captained mode, he stays aboard the entire trip. Both options include his sailing and local knowledge — the difference is whether the yacht is entirely yours after sunset. Learn more about how both options work on our rates page.
Local knowledge you cannot buy separately
This part is harder to quantify but worth naming. Capt. Ron knows which reef will have the clearest water on a northeast wind, which beach bar has the best conch salad, and which route threads through the cays without fighting the chop. A week with him aboard is a week of decisions made well, of local insight that turns a good trip into a great one.
If you are weighing a crewed charter against a bareboat, this is often the deciding factor. The crewed option gives you someone who has sailed these waters thousands of times, and that experience shapes every day of your trip.
What's not included
The charter rate covers the boat and the captain, but a handful of costs sit outside that number. None of them are hidden — they are standard across crewed charters — but knowing them ahead helps you budget accurately.
Provisioning and groceries
Food is on you. Before departure, you stock the galley with whatever your group wants to eat for the week. The standard stop is Maxwell's Supermarket in Marsh Harbour, where you can load up on everything from steaks to snacks. Capt. Ron can advise on quantities, and the galley has full cooking equipment, refrigeration, and storage.
This setup keeps the charter flexible. You buy what you want, spend what you are comfortable with, and accommodate any dietary needs without negotiating with a chef. Some groups go simple — sandwiches, grilled fish, easy meals. Others provision for elaborate dinners every night. Your call.
Alcohol
Bring your own. Rum, wine, beer, whatever your group drinks — stock up at Maxwell's or bring it with you. The boat has refrigeration and plenty of storage for drinks.
Marina dockage, government fees, and taxes
When you dock at a marina rather than anchoring out, dockage fees apply. Government fees and applicable taxes are also additional, paid during your trip. The amounts vary depending on your itinerary — how many nights at marinas versus on the hook, which islands you visit.
Fuel and water
Fuel and water are topped off at the drop-off marina at your cost when the charter ends. For a typical week of sailing, fuel runs under $300. Water is usually negligible unless you have been particularly generous with showers. These costs depend on how much you motor versus sail and how heavily you use the generator and watermaker.
Optional excursions
If you want to add activities beyond what the boat and captain provide — guided fishing trips, diving excursions, special tours — those are arranged and paid separately. Many guests find that the yacht, the snorkeling gear aboard, and Capt. Ron's guidance cover everything they want to do, but the option exists.
Gratuity
Tipping the captain is customary but not included. If Capt. Ron delivers the experience you hoped for, a gratuity at the end of the trip is appreciated. There is no fixed amount, but 15-20% of the charter fee is a common guideline in the crewed charter industry.
How to estimate your total trip cost
The charter rate is the foundation, and the extras above layer on top. For a realistic estimate, use our charter cost estimator, which helps you factor in provisioning, fuel, dockage, and the rest based on your group size and itinerary.
A rough framework: the charter rate covers the boat and captain, provisioning runs whatever you choose to spend on groceries, fuel stays under $300 for most trips, and marina fees depend on how often you dock versus anchor. Add gratuity at the end.
The result is a trip that feels close to all-inclusive on the big things — the yacht, the captain, the route through the islands — with a handful of clear extras to plan for. No surprises, no confusion, just a week on the water with the right expectations.
Planning your trip
Once you know what is covered and what is not, the rest of the planning falls into place. Our itineraries page shows sample routes through the cays, from quick getaways to full-week adventures. If you are still working out logistics, our guide on how to get to the Abacos covers flights and ferry connections into Marsh Harbour.
Ready to talk specifics? Reach out and we will build a trip that fits your group, your dates, and your budget — with no surprises along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is food included in a crewed Abacos charter?
- Provisioning is not included in the base charter rate. You purchase your own groceries at Maxwell's in Marsh Harbour before departure, which means you control exactly what you eat and what you spend. This keeps the charter flexible for different tastes and dietary needs.
- How much should I budget for fuel on a week-long charter?
- Fuel is topped off at the drop-off marina at your cost, and a typical week of sailing runs under $300 for fuel. Water is also topped off but is usually negligible. These costs depend on how much you run the engines and generator.
- Do I need to tip the captain?
- Gratuity is customary but not included in the charter rate. If Capt. Ron delivers a great experience — and he usually does — a tip at the end of your trip is appreciated. There is no set amount, but 15-20% of the charter fee is a common guideline in the industry.
- What is the difference between Captain by Day and Fully Captained?
- In Captain by Day mode, Capt. Ron sails with you during the day and leaves the boat in the evening, giving you privacy at anchor. In Fully Captained mode, he stays aboard the entire trip. Both include his expertise and sailing — the difference is whether you have the yacht to yourselves at night.
- Are there any government fees or taxes on top of the charter rate?
- Yes. Marina dockage, government fees, and applicable taxes are additional costs paid during your trip. These vary depending on where you dock and how long you stay at marinas versus anchoring out.
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