Security Deposit and APA Explained

Two acronyms cause more head-scratching than any others when you book a yacht: the security deposit and the APA. They sound similar, they both involve a lump sum, and they're easy to muddle — but they do completely different jobs, and they apply to different types of charter. Get them straight and you'll budget accurately and know exactly what's your money and what isn't. Here's the plain-English version.

The short answer

A security deposit is a refundable sum held against damage on a bareboat charter (where you sail the yacht yourselves) — you get it back if the boat comes back fine. An APA — Advance Provisioning Allowance — applies to crewed charters and is a spending float: money you pay the crew up front to cover fuel, food, drinks, marinas and provisions during the trip, with the balance reconciled and returned at the end. One is a hold against breakage; the other is a running-costs kitty. See how both fit into the wider budget in how much a yacht charter costs.

The security deposit (bareboat)

When you charter a boat without crew, the operator holds a refundable security deposit to cover potential damage or loss while the yacht is in your hands.

• How much? Typically €1,500–€5,000, scaling with the size and value of the boat.
• How is it held? Usually a pre-authorisation or hold on a credit card, or sometimes a cash deposit, taken at check-in.
• When do you get it back? In full, shortly after the boat is returned undamaged and on time at the end of the week.
• What can be deducted? The cost of repairing damage you caused, replacing lost equipment, or (in some contracts) a late return or missing fuel.

The damage waiver alternative

Many operators offer a non-refundable damage waiver (sometimes called a security deposit waiver or reduction) instead of holding the full sum:

• You pay a smaller fixed fee — often €150–€700 for the week.
• In exchange, the large deposit is reduced or removed.
• It's not refundable, but it means you don't tie up thousands on your card.

Think of it like an excess-reduction on car hire: pay a bit up front for peace of mind, or risk the larger hold. Often a third-party charter insurance policy is cheaper than the operator's waiver and covers the deposit too — worth comparing.

The APA (crewed charters)

On a fully crewed yacht — where a captain and often a chef, host or deckhand run the boat for you — the APA works completely differently. It's a spending float, not a damage hold.

• What it is: the Advance Provisioning Allowance, a sum you pay the crew before the trip to cover the running costs of your specific cruise.
• How much: commonly 20–35% of the base charter fee, agreed in advance.
• What it covers: fuel, food and drink, marina and mooring fees, water, port taxes, and any provisions or special requests.
• How it works: the captain manages the fund, keeps receipts, and gives you a running account through the week. Whatever's left over is returned to you at the end; if you overspend (lots of premium wine, extra fuel), you top it up.

The APA exists because a crewed charter is more like a bespoke floating hotel — the crew shop and cater to your tastes — so rather than itemise everything, you fund a kitty and reconcile at the end. On crewed boats there's usually no separate refundable damage deposit, and a crew gratuity (customarily around 5–15% of the base fee) is separate again and entirely at your discretion.

Which one applies to you?

• Bareboat (you sail it) → security deposit (refundable) or a damage waiver (non-refundable, smaller). No APA.
• Skippered bareboat (you add a professional skipper to a bareboat) → usually still a security deposit, plus the skipper's daily fee and food.
• Fully crewed yacht → APA as a running-cost float, plus a customary tip. Damage is generally the crew's responsibility.

If you're deciding between these options in the first place, see what's included in a bareboat charter, then browse the fleet to compare.

Frequently asked questions

Is the security deposit refundable? Yes — on a bareboat charter it's returned in full if the boat comes back undamaged and on time. The alternative is a smaller non-refundable damage waiver that removes or reduces the deposit.

Is the APA the same as a security deposit? No. The APA is a spending float on crewed charters that covers fuel, food, marinas and provisions, with the balance returned at the end. A security deposit is a refundable damage hold on bareboats.

How much is the APA, typically? Usually 20–35% of the base charter fee, paid to the crew in advance. The captain manages it, keeps receipts and returns any unspent balance.

Do I tip on a crewed charter? A gratuity is customary and separate from the APA — commonly around 5–15% of the base fee, given at your discretion at the end of the trip.

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See real prices, deposits and inclusions for your dates across the fleet, and split the whole boat per person with your crew.