Which Yacht Should You Charter? Motor Yacht vs Gulet vs Sailing Yacht vs Catamaran

The first step to turning your blue-cruise dream into reality is choosing the yacht that best suits you and your loved ones. On these journeys, three main yacht types—and a popular modern derivative—are most common: Motor Yachts, Gulets, Sailing Yachts, and Catamarans. Each promises a distinct holiday experience through its comfort, speed, living space, and charter format. Let’s find the one that fits your travel style.

Motor Yachts: Speed, Comfort & Luxury

Ideal for: Groups who want to see more in limited time and prioritize comfort and luxury.

Thanks to their speed, motor yachts cover the distance between far-flung bays quickly—perfect for those who want to make the most of every day. They are typically chartered with a professional captain and at least one deckhand, so navigation, cooking, and housekeeping are handled by the crew. Compared with other types, daily charters are offered more frequently.

Advantages: Speed, luxury fittings, professional crew, flexible daily-charter options.

Disadvantages: Higher fuel consumption; no pure sailing experience.

Gulets: Tradition, Space & Large Groups

Ideal for: Big families, larger groups of friends, and travelers who want generous living areas.

The icons of Turkey’s blue-cruise culture, gulets are hand-crafted wooden boats with wide decks and capacious interiors—great for moving around comfortably even with a crowd. Gulets are mandatorily crewed (captain and crew) and usually chartered weekly, offering high flexibility to tailor a private route.

Advantages: Very spacious living areas, high comfort, ideal for large groups, stable and comfortable ride.

Disadvantages: Slower cruising; generally weekly charters only.

Sailing Yachts: Freedom, Nature & Adventure

Ideal for: Small groups or couples who want a more active, close-to-nature getaway.

With a valid license, you can charter bareboat and be the skipper of your own holiday. Gliding silently under sail, trimming sheets, and building seamanship make for a unique experience. Sailing yachts are often more economical than motor yachts and gulets and are commonly chartered by the week.

Advantages: Budget-friendly, immersive nature experience, quiet under sail, sporty/adventurous feel.

Disadvantages: More limited living space; less overall comfort than other types.

Catamarans: Stability, Airiness & Modern Comfort

Ideal for: Groups who want sailing fun without giving up space-especially those sensitive to seasickness.

With two hulls, catamarans are significantly more stable than monohull sailboats, reducing the risk of motion sickness. Their layout delivers an apartment-like saloon and multiple cabins, and the shallow draft lets you anchor in the quietest corners. Like sailing yachts, they can be chartered crewed or bareboat.

Advantages: Spacious interiors, very stable (less rolling), combines sail and engine efficiently, shallow-water access.

Disadvantages: Typically higher marina/berthing fees.

Gocekonline Tip: Ask yourself, “What’s my top priority this holiday?” If it’s speed & luxury, choose a motor yacht. If it’s comfort with a big family, pick a gulet. If it’s adventure and becoming one with the sea, go for a sailing yacht. If you want the best of all worlds—spacious and stable, a catamaran is your match.