A motorsailer is the rare charter yacht that truly gives you both worlds. Built as a hybrid between a sailing yacht and a motor yacht, a motorsailer carries genuine sails and a powerful engine and uses both, switching seamlessly depending on the wind and conditions. When the breeze fills in, you sail. When the seas are calm or the schedule calls for it, the engine takes over and the pace stays easy. At no point do you compromise on comfort, range, or the pleasure of being on the water.
On a crewed motorsailer charter, a professional captain and crew handle all of that for you. From the sailing, the navigation, the meals, and the route you enjoy a charter that feels unhurried, classic, and genuinely flexible in a way no other yacht type quite matches.
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What Is a Motorsailer?
A motorsailer is a hybrid vessel that draws on the best qualities of both a sailing yacht and a motor yacht. Unlike a pure sailing yacht which relies primarily on wind a motorsailer carries oversized engines capable of driving the boat at hull speed in any conditions, alongside sails that add power, stability, and the authentic feel of sailing when the wind allows.
The result is a yacht with unusual range and flexibility. A typical motorsailer can cruise comfortably at around 8–10 knots under engine, raise sail to reduce fuel consumption and add the classic sailing experience, or combine both for added stability and speed in light airs. Their displacement or semi-displacement hulls are designed for stability and long-distance comfort at sea rather than outright speed, which is exactly why experienced cruisers love them.
Motorsailers also tend toward more traditional, classic styling , think teak decks, elegant lines, and the timeless look of a serious ocean-going vessel. If the aesthetic of sailing matters as much as the experience, a motorsailer delivers both.
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Why Charter a Motorsailer?
Flexibility in any conditions. The biggest advantage of a motorsailer is its dual propulsion. Flat calm? The engine holds your course and schedule. Perfect breeze? Raise the sails, cut the engine, and enjoy the quiet. Most sailing yachts and motor yachts can only do one well — a motorsailer does both.
Spacious, comfortable accommodation. Because motorsailers don’t need to dedicate the interior space that a deep-keeled racing sailboat does, they tend to offer generous cabin layouts, well-appointed saloons, and a liveaboard comfort level closer to a motor yacht than a traditional sailboat. Many guests compare the cabins to boutique hotel rooms.
Classic style and character. Motorsailers have a timeless aesthetic that pure motor yachts often lack. The profile of a proper sailing vessel, teak decks, and the feeling of a serious, seaworthy yacht rather than a floating apartment.
Excellent stability. Motorsailer hulls are designed for long-distance ocean cruising, with displacement hulls that handle open-water passages smoothly. Many also feature stabilization systems for added comfort at anchor and underway.
More affordable than a comparable motor yacht. For a similar size and cabin count, a motorsailer typically charters at a lower rate than a pure motor yacht which makes them an excellent option for groups wanting motor-yacht-level comfort and range at a more accessible price point.
Eco-friendlier cruising. When conditions allow, motorsailers reduce engine use by sailing lowering fuel consumption and the environmental footprint of your charter compared to a pure motor yacht covering the same itinerary.
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Is a Motorsailer Right for Your Group?
A crewed motorsailer charter is ideal for:
- Groups who want the sailing experience without committing to pure sail. If you love the idea of sailing — the sails, the aesthetic, the quiet — but want the reliability of a motor for schedule-sensitive passages or calm days, a motorsailer hits the mark.
- Extended itineraries and longer passages. Motorsailers are built for range. Their larger fuel capacity, efficient hull design, and sail-assist make them natural choices for guests planning to cover serious ground — crossing from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, or a multi-week cruise through multiple island groups.
- Groups of 6–12 looking for spacious accommodation. Motorsailers typically carry 6–12 guests in well-appointed en-suite cabins with significantly more interior volume than an equivalent sailing monohull.
- Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean. The classic wooden motorsailer is the dominant charter vessel along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast and the Greek islands, offering a traditional, handcrafted aesthetic that’s deeply tied to the culture of those cruising grounds.
- Travelers who value classic character. If the sleek, modern lines of a contemporary motor yacht leave you cold and you’re drawn to the character of a traditional sailing vessel, a motorsailer offers that look and feel without sacrificing reliability or comfort.
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Where Do Motorsailers Charter?
Motorsailers are most at home in the Mediterranean, where they have centuries of tradition behind them:
- Turkey (Turquoise Coast): The spiritual home of the wooden motorsailer. Gulets — traditional Turkish wooden vessels — dominate the charter scene in Bodrum, Marmaris, and along the dramatic Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines. A gulet charter in Turkey is one of the most distinctive charter experiences in the world.
- Greek Islands: Motorsailers are popular across the Aegean, particularly for guests island-hopping through the Cyclades, Dodecanese, and Ionian Islands. Their range and stability suit the longer passages between Greek island groups.
- Croatia and the Dalmatian Coast: Croatian-built wooden motorsailers and modern hybrid vessels are a popular choice for the Split-to-Dubrovnik route, with their generous cabin counts making them attractive for larger groups.
- Caribbean: A smaller but growing motorsailer fleet operates in the Caribbean, particularly for guests planning extended itineraries across multiple island chains.
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Types of Motorsailer Charter Yachts
Classic Wooden Gulets (Turkey & Greece)
The traditional gulet is a handcrafted wooden vessel built in the boatyards of Bodrum and Marmaris, typically 20–30 meters long, accommodating 6–16 guests. Characterized by their round stern, broad beam, and shaded deck space, gulets combine rustic charm with modern comforts. They’re one of the most culturally distinctive ways to charter in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Modern Motorsailers
Contemporary motorsailers take the hybrid concept into modern yacht building — sleek fiberglass construction, advanced stabilization, air conditioning, and high-end interior finishes, while retaining the sail-and-motor dual propulsion. They’re closer to a luxury motor yacht in comfort and style, with the added flexibility and efficiency of a sailing rig.
Expedition/Long-Range Motorsailers
Built for serious ocean passages, these are the workhorses of the charter fleet for guests planning crossings or remote-destination itineraries. Robust hulls, large fuel and water capacity, and the ability to sail-assist over long passages make them ideal for adventurous, extended voyages.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a motorsailer?
A motorsailer is a hybrid yacht that combines genuine sailing capability with a powerful engine, allowing it to sail in good conditions, motor when needed, or use both together. Unlike a pure sailboat or motor yacht, it’s designed to perform well under both modes of propulsion.
How is a motorsailer different from a motor yacht?
A motor yacht relies entirely on its engines and has no meaningful sailing capability. A motorsailer carries proper sails and uses them, giving guests the option to sail when conditions allow — reducing fuel use, adding the sailing experience, and giving the yacht a more classic aesthetic.
Is a motorsailer good for first-time charter guests?
Yes — especially on a crewed charter where the captain and crew handle all navigation and propulsion decisions. The stability and range of a motorsailer, combined with its spacious accommodation, actually make it one of the more comfortable introductions to yacht chartering.
What is a gulet?
A gulet is a traditional wooden motorsailer originating from Turkey, most common along the Turkish and Greek coastlines. Built in coastal boatyards from local timber, gulets typically carry 6–16 guests and are one of the most culturally distinctive charter experiences in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Where are motorsailers most popular for charters?
Turkey and Greece are the heartland of the global motorsailer fleet — particularly along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, where the traditional wooden gulet charter is a defining part of the region’s sailing culture. Croatia and the Eastern Mediterranean are also popular.
Are motorsailer charters more affordable than motor yachts?
Generally yes. For a comparable size and cabin count, motorsailers typically charter at lower rates than pure motor yachts, making them an attractive option for groups wanting serious range and comfort at a more accessible price.
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Find Your Crewed Motorsailer
Whether you’re drawn to the classic character of a traditional Turkish gulet, a modern hybrid motorsailer in the Greek islands, or an expedition vessel for a longer passage, our charter specialists will match you to the right yacht for your itinerary, your group, and your budget.