The word ‘yacht’ is perhaps one of the more difficult words for native Singaporeans to pronounce and spell.
Many have a tendency to pronounce yacht as ‘yatch’, rhyming with ‘March’, and thus spell it the same way. However, the proper way to pronounce it is ‘yot’, which rhymes with ‘dot’.
When you think of renting a yacht, the importance of proper spelling and pronunciation may escape you at first. However, it may become an issue when you try to search your emails for your booking confirmation.
If both Siri and the search bar doesn’t turn up any matches for ‘yatch rental confirmation’, you might have to sift through all your emails manually.
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Expected costs
Details aside, you might also be wondering if it is more cost-effective to simply buy a yacht instead of renting it for a four-figure sum for the day. Unfortunately, that might not be the best course of action to take.
How much does it cost to purchase a yacht in Singapore?
The cost of a yacht varies greatly, as with most forms of private transportation – but not all of them have to cost millions of dollars. Second-hand boats cost significantly less than new ones, and can go for as low as $50,000. However, if you want a yacht large enough to host a gathering, you can expect to fork out a lot more money.
To put things into perspective, a 5-hour ride on the Lagoon 400 for 12 people would set you back about $849, depending on your chosen timeslot. Buying the Lagoon 400, which is a 40-feet catamaran yacht, will cost an estimated $370,000.
Why should I rent from Yachtly instead of buying a yacht?
It’s a lot more affordable to simply rent a yacht.
If you buy a yacht, you have to pay for a crew to man it every time you set sail. This amount varies on the size of your yacht; larger yachts require larger crews, and consume more fuel. You also have to take into account the berthing cost, insurance, and a license for your boat.
A yacht costs approximately $1,080 each month for upkeep. That’s not including one-time costs such as renovations or a boating license, and miscellaneous fees such as cleaning up and maintenance.
With Yachtly, all miscellaneous fees such as fuel and crew expenses are factored into the cost, so you don’t have to pay any more than what is shown. Tipping the crew is also not required – although it certainly is welcome.
How much is a yacht rental?
The cost of rental is dependant on the size of the yacht, the rental duration, the number of guests on board, and any add-ons you may want to purchase.
Prices can start from as low as $560 for 6 people.
Setting sail with Yachtly
This section will cover the things you should do before sailing, and gives you an idea of what to expect during the trip.
Do I have to bring my passport?
If your itinerary only takes you around Singapore waters, you do not have to bring your passport. However, the captain will not be able to venture into Malaysia or Indonesian waters.
If you are chartering a yacht for an international trip, you need to bring your passport.
Okay, so I don’t need a passport. What else should I bring?
Extra clothes and towels are always handy in case you get wet, and sunblock isn’t a bad idea either. If you prefer spending time indoors, you can also bring board games or cards.
Safety equipment is covered by Yachtly and regulated to meet the standards set by the Maritime Authority of Singapore. This includes products such as life vests, communication, and navigational equipment, amongst others.
If you don’t intend to rent a BBQ pit for your yacht party, you will also have to bring your own food. Do note that if you were to rent a BBQ pit, only the crew is allowed to handle the fire due to safety issues.
What else does the crew handle?
The crew is responsible for the safety of the yacht and serving the clients. However, they are not trained butlers, and should not be treated as such.
Other duties that the crew are responsible for include the cooking of food for the BBQ, and preparation of any water toys.
Can the yacht sail non-stop/ go overseas?
The price of the yacht includes the fuel of the itinerary, and thus cannot sail continuously.
This is also because the yacht will have to anchor before food and beverages can be set up. On top of that, water toys can only be set up when the ship is stationary.
However, Yachtly does offer overseas sailing trips to regional countries.
How many hours can I rent a yacht for?
The duration you can rent a yacht for is unique to each yacht, and dependent on availability.
You can plan for a short jaunt to a nearby island, or even for a staycation. If you wish to charter a yacht overnight, feel free to reach out to us.
Is there mobile coverage on the yacht?
Yes, mobile coverage is present for every stage of the itinerary, so you can update your Instagram account in real-time.
However, do note that the signal at Lazarus island, while generally functionable, may be intermittent at times.
What happens if it rains during my charter day?
Depending on the time of year, rain can be an issue for yacht charters.
For passing showers and light drizzles, the charter will continue to proceed as long as there is no impending danger to lives or property. In the event of a thunderstorm, the charter will be delayed by up to an hour.
If the thunderstorm persists, we will reschedule the charter to a mutually agreeable date and time for no extra cost.
For greater accuracy, we recommend that you contact your captain to get an onsite evaluation of the weather.
Are pregnant ladies, kids, and the elderly allowed on board?
Pregnant ladies are allowed on board.
However, we recommend that you be in good health to enjoy the trip to its fullest, as pregnancy may result in seasickness and nausea. Tighter life jackets may also be uncomfortable for those who are far along in their pregnancy.
As a general rule of thumb, pregnant ladies are suitable for boating trips after the first trimester and before the last 8 weeks of pregnancy. We also recommend that you book more stable yachts, such as catamaran yachts, so as to reduce the stress on the baby.
Children and the elderly are allowed on board, but children will require special life jackets.
It is recommended that you inform Yachtly of the number of children you are bringing on, so that we have adequate time to prepare.
The following table lists down some of the better performing yachts for each purpose.
| Yacht | Type | Suitable for | Starting Cost (min. 4 hours) |
| Ocean Blue | Power Single Hull | Speed, comfort | $627 |
| Leviathan 88 | Power Single Hull | Speed, comfort | $788 |
| Kingdom | Power Catamaran | Stability, comfort | $1,080 |
| Lagoon 400 | Power Catamaran | Stability, comfort | $920 |
| Ocean Diva | Sailing Catamaran | Speed, adrenaline | $1,600 |
More about Yachtly’s yachts
This section covers miscellaneous information about yacht trips, as well as information on yachts in general.
When is yachting season in Singapore?
Yachting season refers to the months that precede and follow summer and winter seasons, such as late spring and early autumn. These months are referred to by yachting professionals as ‘yachting season’.
Singapore does not have any seasons, and thus the yachting industry benefits from a warm climate all year round.
However, the country is still affected by violent winds, which can sometimes lead to temporary squalls. They usually occur between April and November, and can be a nuisance to sailors.
Therefore, the ideal sailing season is from December – March.
How far can Yachtly’s yachts travel?
The distance that a yacht can travel is limited by the amount of the fuel that it carries. Depending on a number of circumstances, a yacht may be able to travel further while consuming less fuel.
Fortunately, each yacht from Yachtly is adjusted to fit your itinerary. If you wish to make a journey to a neighbouring country, all you have to do is to let your captain know, and he can make the necessary arrangements.
Can a yacht survive rough seas?
Most yachts are built to withstand rough seas and strong weather. How well a yacht can fare in rough water depends on the degree to which its hull can displace water.
A displacement hull allows a yacht to ‘slice’ through the water with little propulsion. This limits its speed somewhat, but allows for a smoother ride in exchange.
If you’re looking for a more stable yacht, a catamaran would be the choice to go for.
For more information on the various yachts and what each hull type is best suited to, you can check out this article. It gives you a more in-depth explanation of the strengths and weaknesses of each yacht and hull type.
If you’re planning to throw a party or a gathering, a yacht can be a nice break from the usual mainland activities. Find out more about how you can host a private event on a yacht, and make your booking today!
