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to 120 feet) more staterooms are better than big staterooms. If
additional staterooms are not possible, then consider Pullman berths. For boats
over 120ft, the goal is to have six staterooms. Sure, very large yachts can have
more staterooms, but the maximum number of charter guests caps at 12. Any more
than 12 charter guests and the yacht becomes a passenger vessel, requiring SOLAS,
ISPS and other commercial shipping compliance (and is really something altogether
different from a conventional charter). Not all charter parties are the same,
so a yacht that offers flexibility in bed arrangements is advantageous. For example,
if a yacht has five staterooms, and two can be configured as twin beds or converted
to kings, it will appeal to family charter parties and charter parties which consist
of couples. Another highly prized feature is "multiple masters" or a full-beam
VIP with his-and-hers baths. Not all charters have a single primary. Especially
on larger yachts with six-figure weekly rates, families will sometimes opt to
share the expense. If the charter fee is being divided, guests will often request
a yacht that offers equally-appointed staterooms for both parties. Rooms should
be luxuriously appointed with every imaginable convenience. En suite baths are
a must for every stateroom. Plenty of guest storage is imperative, and don't forget
about luggage. Guests do not appreciate seeing the crew stuff their Louis Vuitton
luggage into garbage bags so they can be stored in a bilge. Fine fabrics are important,
but select fabrics that are durable as well as beautiful, and avoid choices that
require excessive or specialized care. The crew needs to be able to easily care
for and maintain the yacht's interior. An errant wet swimsuit should not cause
upholstery problems, and spot cleaning should not entail dry cleaning solutions.
If interior maintenance is too complicated the yacht will quickly show wear, and
schedule conflicts can arise in order to remedy this problem. Form should follow
function; keep this in mind during the interior design process, as sometimes even
the most experienced yacht
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designers forget the demands that will be made of the vessel's interior furnishings and appointments during a busy charter season. Ask a seasoned
charter broker, and they will tell you that yachts with light interiors do better than those with dark interiors, and neutral color schemes fair better than more
boisterous ones. These same preferences affect resale as well. Common areas must have versatility for various activities, and be fitted with a decor that is easily
updated. The key is to have an interior with broad appeal as the final selection is often based on aesthetics. 
TECHNICAL ELEMENTS
A yacht charter vacation is all about comfort and convenience. The comfort level of a yacht is not just a product of the yacht's furnishings and appointments;
there are several structural and technical elements that have a far greater comfort consequence. Desirable charter yachts offer flexibility in cruising speed. Charter
guests like to have the option of higher speed cruising as well as the economical option of slower passages. Good stabilizers are a must, and the latest trend in
ultimate comfort is zero-speed, at-anchor stabilizers, which execute lateral control even while the boat is at anchor. The anchor system also needs to be state-of-the-art.
Anchors are not only a safety feature, they play an important role in the convenience of a yacht. A superior anchoring system will give your yacht solid holding in
a variety of anchorages and will be easily deployed and secured. This way, the crew spends less time manipulating the ground tackle, and the guests spend less
time waiting for the vessel to be secured. A new innovation is Dynamic Positioning, where the boat's GPS and compass are electronically interfaced with the engines
and thrusters. In moderate conditions, this system enables the yacht to hold its position without deploying the anchors. Even with this feature, all yachts should
have two bow anchors with independent windlasses. Anchor redundancy is not only safer, it is necessary for med-mooring in popular marinas.
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