What Makes a Great Gulet?
The quality of a gulet charter comes from three things in roughly equal measure: the vessel itself, the captain, and the cook. A beautiful boat with a disengaged crew is a mediocre holiday. An older boat with a talented, knowledgeable captain who takes you to anchorages you could not find yourself is an exceptional one.
The cook is often the deciding factor. A week of extraordinary food, provisioned with care and cooked to your preferences, is the thing previous gulet charterers most consistently praise. Ask about the cook before you ask about the boat.
Evaluating the Vessel
- Year of build and last refit: Most serious charter gulets undergo a significant refit every 5–7 years. Ask specifically when the last refit was and what it covered.
- Engine condition: A gulet that cannot maintain passage speed reliably will frustrate. Ask about engine age and service history.
- Generator: Essential for air conditioning at anchor. Ask whether it runs quietly enough to sleep through.
- Air conditioning: Standard in all cabins on any mid-range gulet. Confirm it is present and functional in every cabin.
- Cabin layout: Private en-suite bathrooms in all cabins is the standard expectation. Check whether the master cabin has a separate seating area.
- Aft deck: The social heart of the boat. Look at size, cushioning quality, and shade. A poorly shaded aft deck misses the point of the format.
- Water toys: Minimum expectation is kayaks, snorkelling equipment, and a paddleboard. Higher-end vessels add jet skis.
Evaluating the Captain
- How many seasons has the captain sailed the Dalmatian coast?
- Is the captain the owner or employed by a management company? Owner-captains often have more pride in the vessel.
- What is the captain's approach to itinerary planning — do they propose a suggested route or wait for instructions?
- Can the broker or operator provide references from recent charters?
Evaluating the Cook
- Does the cook prepare three meals per day on board, or is dinner typically ashore?
- Can the cook accommodate dietary requirements? Ask for specific confirmation, not just assurance.
- Will the cook share the menu plan before departure so you can adjust preferences?
- What is the approach to local produce and fresh fish sourcing?
Gulets by Budget
Moderate Budget: €6,000–9,000/week
An 18–22 metre gulet with 4–5 en-suite cabins, functioning generator, and air conditioning throughout. The vessel age matters less than refit quality and crew quality. An older gulet with a recent interior refit and an excellent crew is a better choice than a newer boat with a tired captain.
Celebration Budget: €10,000–16,000/week
A 24–28 metre gulet with more space per guest, better crew ratio, and a larger aft deck. Expect a higher-spec galley, proper tender (not a basic inflatable), and 3–4 crew. The distinction between 'superior' and 'deluxe' vessels is often the master cabin size and finishing quality.
Luxury: €18,000+/week
A 30m+ purpose-built charter gulet with stabilisers, a large master stateroom, Williams or Castoldi jet tender, full water toys package, and a crew of 5+. At this level the cook is typically professionally trained and the galley is equipped to catering standard.
10 Questions to Ask Before Booking Any Gulet
- When was the vessel last surveyed? Is the survey certificate available?
- What was the last major refit? What did it cover?
- How many crew are on board? (Captain, cook, deckhand, hostess?)
- Is the captain the owner or employed? How long have they been with this vessel?
- What water toys are included? Is a jet ski available?
- How many guests has the vessel hosted in the last three seasons?
- Are there recent charter references available?
- What is the provisioning approach — APA, half board, or full board?
- Is Wi-Fi available? How reliable is it in the sailing areas?
- Does the vessel have stabilisers?
Red Flags to Watch For
- No photos of cabin interiors — operators hiding poor fitout
- Vague answers to questions about engine age or last refit
- No charter references available
- Captain with less than 5 seasons on the Dalmatian coast
- Air conditioning described as 'available' rather than 'in all cabins'
- APA quoted unusually low — suggests under-provisioning
- Photos that appear significantly older than the stated build/refit year