September 17, 2026 · By CDM Yachts · 3 min read
"How much does a yacht charter cost?" doesn't have one answer — rate depends on vessel size, charter duration, and guest count. Here's what actually drives the number, using CDM's own current published rates rather than a generic industry estimate.
Vessel size is the starting point
Our fleet has two pricing shapes. The Sea Ray 52 and Sea Ray 56 (up to 13 guests each) are priced by charter duration, with a 2-hour minimum: the Sea Ray 52 starts at $1,900 for 2 hours and scales to $3,750 for 8 hours; the Sea Ray 56 starts at $1,980 for 2 hours and scales to $3,850 for 8 hours. The Westport 100 (up to 134 guests) is priced by guest-count tier instead, from $1,500/hour for 25 guests or fewer up to $2,500/hour at full 134-guest capacity, also with a 2-hour minimum.
See each yacht's full rate table on its own page — Sea Ray 52, Sea Ray 56, Westport 100 — or compare all three at once on Our Fleet.
Duration matters more than it first appears
Every charter has a 2-hour minimum, but per-hour cost actually drops slightly as duration increases on the Sea Ray 52/56's tiered pricing (a 2-hour Sea Ray 52 charter averages $950/hour; an 8-hour charter averages about $469/hour). Most guests book 3–5 hours — enough time to actually settle in without paying for a full day they won't use.
Guest count changes the vessel that makes sense, not just the price
Once a group is larger than 13 guests, the Sea Ray 52/56 are no longer an option regardless of budget — the Westport 100 becomes the only fleet vessel certified to carry more. That's a capacity limit, not a pricing tier, so it's worth confirming your expected headcount early. See our yacht capacity guide for a fuller breakdown of guest count against vessel.
What's included in the base rate
Every published rate includes the yacht, a USCG-licensed captain and crew, port taxes, and marina fees. It does not include catering, bar/beverage service, décor, entertainment, or gratuity for the crew — gratuity is customary on a crewed charter but isn't built into the base rate anywhere in the industry, CDM included, so budget for it separately and ask our team for current guidance when you book.
Fishing charters are priced differently
Our fishing charters aboard the Jesse Girl use flat package pricing rather than hourly tiers: a 6-hour Half-Day Fishing Excursion is $1,700, a 12-hour Full-Day Inshore Expedition is $2,125, and a 12-hour Full-Day Offshore Adventure is $2,550.
Holiday and peak-date pricing
Rates above are standard published rates. Holiday dates (New Year's Eve, Fourth of July, and similar) may carry a surcharge confirmed at the time of booking rather than shown in the standard tiers — see our Holiday Charters page for what to expect if you're planning around one of those dates.
Ready to get an exact number for your date and group? Request availability and we'll confirm pricing based on your vessel, duration, and guest count.
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