Marcelle HailwaxYacht charter broker, DMA Yachting
Sometimes. Outside July and August, and especially in May, early June, and October, managers will consider a serious offer, and larger yachts have more room to move. The way to do it is through your broker: we know which managers negotiate, which have strict no-discount policies, and what number is worth putting on the table.
Two things to know before you offer. An offer is treated as binding, so be ready to sign quickly if it is accepted. And shopping the same yacht through several brokers creates no leverage; managers see every inquiry arrive under your name, and it works against you.
Watch one trick when comparing quotes: a competitor can look cheaper by quoting a lower APA, not a lower price. The APA is your own onboard budget, and if it runs out you top it up on board, so a shaved APA is not a saving. Compare charter fee against charter fee, VAT included.