How Charter Programs Can Offset Ownership Costs — And Why Many Owners See a Better ROI Than Airbnb

Aurore Bordage
2 days ago
2 min read

For buyers who want to enjoy yachting and make a smart financial decision, charter programs have become one of the strongest ownership models on the market. At Southwest Yacht Sales, many of our clients place their monohull, catamaran, or powerboat into a professionally managed charter fleet, allowing their yacht to generate income while they’re not using it.

Why Charter Programs Work Financially

A properly structured charter ownership plan can help offset a significant portion of annual expenses, including:

Dockage
Insurance
Maintenance
Routine service
Loan payments (in many cases)

With the return of 100% bonus depreciation, owners also benefit from substantial first-year tax advantages when their boat qualifies as a business—something Airbnb properties can no longer leverage in the same way.

Why Charter Often Outperforms Airbnb-Style Real Estate

While both are income-generating assets, the dynamics are very different—and increasingly, yachts in charter deliver stronger value:

✔ Higher nightly revenue potentialA single week of charter can often generate the equivalent of multiple weeks of Airbnb income.

✔ Lower saturation and competitionPopular charter destinations don’t face the same overcrowding as short-term rental markets, where oversupply is driving down returns.

✔ Predictable, professionally managed operationsCharter companies handle marketing, maintenance, check-ins, and guest management—unlike Airbnb, which requires owners to be hands-on (or pay a high management fee that cuts into profit).

✔ Tax advantages yachts can qualify for that real estate often cannotWhen structured correctly, boat owners may take advantage of depreciation benefits that short-term rentals no longer receive at the same scale.

✔ A lifestyle return Airbnb can’t matchUnlike a property you may rarely visit, you also enjoy guaranteed owner weeks on your own yacht—in Tahiti, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Florida, or wherever you choose to base the boat.