How to Choose a Gulet: What Charter Operators Won't Tell You

Traditional wooden vessels offer 4-8 cabins with crew quarters, typically accommodating 8-16 guests comfortably. Standard gulets range 20-30 meters in length, while luxury options stretch 35-40 meters with premium amenities like jacuzzis and water toys. Cabin configurations vary from double beds to convertible twins, making group size your first decision point.

Most first-time charterers pick boats too large or too small. After 15 years running charter operations, we've seen families cram into 4-cabin gulets when they needed 6, and couples book 8-cabin vessels they're paying for but not using. Here's what actually matters when booking your first gulet charter.

Start With Your Group Size (Not Your Dream Boat)

The gulet size for families differs dramatically from what couples or large groups need. A 6 person yacht charter turkey typically requires 3 cabins minimum—one master, two doubles. Sounds simple, but here's the thing: you'll spend 6-8 hours daily on deck, not in cabins.

Deck space matters more than cabin count for groups under 10. We've seen 8 guests happier on a well-designed 24-meter gulet than 12 people on a cramped 28-meter boat. Check deck layouts before cabin counts.

For large group gulet rental (12-20 people), you're looking at 6-8 cabin vessels, 28-35 meters long. These boats often split into two price categories: standard wooden gulets (€8,000-€12,000 weekly in peak season) and luxury builds with modern systems (€15,000-€25,000 weekly).

The Build Year Trap Everyone Falls Into

Charter websites push "newly built" gulets hard. Popular advice says newer equals better. Experience shows the opposite for most charters.

Gulets built 2015-2020 often outperform 2023 builds. Why? The wood has settled, systems have been tested through multiple seasons, and crews know every quirk. Brand new gulets face teething problems—air conditioning that struggles in July heat, generators that need adjustment, untrained crew learning the boat.

We recommend gulets 5-10 years old from reputable Turkish shipyards. They've proven themselves through 50+ charters, crews have optimized everything, and prices run 20-30% lower than identical new builds. Exception: if you need specific modern features like stabilizers or hybrid engines, go newer.

Check the refit date instead of build date. A 2016 gulet with 2023 interior renovation beats a rushed 2024 new build. Ask when cushions, mattresses, and electronics were last updated.

Crew Makes or Breaks Your Charter

Turkish gulet crews typically include captain, cook, and 1-2 deckhands. Luxury gulets add hostesses and engineers. Here's what charter companies rarely mention: crew quality varies wildly even on similar boats.

Standard crew (3 people) works fine for relaxed cruising in turkey with simple meals. You're paying €8,000-€11,000 weekly, getting competent service, traditional Turkish cooking. Crew speaks basic English, handles sailing and cleaning, prepares breakfast/lunch/dinner.

Premium crew (4-5 people) transforms the experience. €13,000-€20,000 weekly range. Cook trained in yacht cuisine, hostess manages service flow, captain knows hidden anchorages. English fluency jumps dramatically. Worth it? For groups celebrating special occasions or expecting hotel-level service, absolutely.

Ask these specific questions:

• How many seasons has this crew worked together? (2+ seasons = good sign)
• Can the cook accommodate dietary restrictions? (test with something specific)
• Does crew speak your language conversationally? (basic vs fluent matters)
• What's included in meal service? (some charge extra for alcohol, premium ingredients)

Captain experience matters most for route planning. Captains with 10+ years on the Turkish coast know when to skip crowded Göcek and hit Selimiye instead, or which Bodrum bays offer protection from afternoon winds.

The Real Cost of "Cheap" Gulets

Budget gulets (€4,000-€6,000 weekly off-peak) exist, mostly older wooden boats with basic systems. We've booked clients on these for years. They work for specific situations: experienced sailors who live on deck, young groups prioritizing cost over comfort, short 3-4 day trips.

What you actually get: cabins with small windows, basic bathrooms (sometimes shared), limited water toys (maybe a paddleboard), air conditioning that runs only at night, simple Turkish meals. Crew speaks limited English. Fine for adventurous types, disaster for luxury expectations.

Mid-range gulets (€7,000-€13,000 weekly peak season) cover 80% of charters. Ensuite bathrooms, functioning air conditioning, decent water toys (kayak, paddleboard, snorkel gear), comfortable but not fancy interiors. This sweet spot offers solid value.

Luxury gulet charters (€15,000-€35,000+ weekly) bring hotel-quality linens, premium water sports equipment, gourmet meals, experienced crew, modern stabilizers for smooth sailing. Worth it for groups who'd otherwise book 5-star hotels. Not worth it if you're spending all day swimming and eating ashore.

Hidden costs everyone underestimates:

• Port fees: €200-€400 weekly
• Fuel for water toys: €150-€300 weekly
• Premium alcohol: €300-€600 weekly
• Marina nights vs anchoring: €100-€200 per night difference

Routes Determine Which Gulet You Need

Short routes (Göcek-Fethiye, 40-60 nautical miles weekly) work on any gulet. You're island hopping between close anchorages, minimal sailing time, maximum swimming. Standard gulets handle this perfectly.

Medium routes (Bodrum-Gökova Gulf, 80-120 nautical miles) need reliable engines and comfortable cruising speed. Check engine power: twin 300+ HP engines cruise comfortably at 8-10 knots. Underpowered gulets (single 200 HP) struggle and burn more fuel.

Long routes (Marmaris to Kaş, 150+ nautical miles) demand serious consideration. You're spending 4-6 hours daily sailing. Stabilizers become important. Shaded deck areas matter. Crew experience matters more. Most groups overestimate their tolerance for long sailing days.

Blue cruise turkey traditionally means slow-paced sailing with frequent stops. If you're planning this style, engine power matters less than deck comfort and anchorage equipment. Good anchor windlass, quality ground tackle, and experienced captain beat horsepower.

Water Toys vs Price: What Actually Gets Used

Standard packages include paddleboard, snorkel gear, fishing equipment. Reality check from charter seasons: paddleboard gets used daily, fishing gear maybe once, snorkel gear constantly.

Mid-range additions: kayak, larger paddleboard, better snorkel sets, maybe a small inflatable. These see heavy use with families and active groups. Worth requesting.

Premium water sports: jet ski, wakeboard, water ski, large inflatable toys. Sounds exciting, but here's what we've observed: jet skis get used 2-3 times per week maximum, mostly by teenagers. Groups with kids under 10 rarely use them. Adults try once for photos.

Surprised us: simple swimming platforms and deck showers get more use than expensive toys. A well-designed stern platform with easy water access beats a jet ski for daily enjoyment.

If you're specifically booking for water sports, consider a motor yacht instead. Gulets excel at relaxed swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboard exploration. They're not ideal platforms for serious water skiing or wakeboarding.

Book Your Gulet: Timing Strategy

Peak season (July-August) requires 4-6 months advance booking for quality gulets. Prices peak, selection shrinks. Shoulder season (May-June, September-October) offers 30-40% savings with 2-3 months notice.

Early booking advantages: better boat selection, crew assignment priority, route flexibility. We've seen families book 8-10 months ahead for August charters, getting first pick of the fleet.

Last-minute deals (2-4 weeks out) occasionally surface when charters cancel. Discounts hit 40-50% off peak rates, but you're choosing from available boats, not ideal boats. Works for flexible groups without specific requirements.

The Bottom Line

Choose your gulet based on group size first, crew quality second, amenities third. Most charterers do the opposite, picking beautiful boats with wrong layouts or inexperienced crews. A 25-meter gulet with excellent crew beats a 32-meter luxury build with mediocre service.

For families: prioritize cabin configuration and deck safety over luxury features. For couples: smaller boats (20-24m) with premium crew outperform large gulets. For large groups: focus on deck space distribution and bathroom count (1 bathroom per 3-4 people minimum).

Test the charter company's responsiveness before booking. Companies that answer detailed questions quickly and honestly will handle problems during your charter the same way. Vague answers or pressure to book fast? Red flags worth noting.

References

• MYBA – What is MYBA – The Worldwide Yachting Association's official page explaining charter industry standards and the MYBA Charter Agreement.
• IMO – SOLAS Convention – International Maritime Organization's Safety of Life at Sea convention, the global standard for maritime safety.
• Türk Loydu – Professional Yacht Services – Turkish Lloyd's official yacht classification and certification services page.