Everyone asks for the biggest boat their budget allows. The best charter days we see regularly happen on the smaller boat, because the group picked for the day they wanted instead of the photo they wanted.
The legal frame first
Day charter capacity in most of the Mediterranean is capped at twelve guests regardless of the boat's size, and in Italy that cap is firm however long the boat is. The booking states a number and the crew must hold it. So the first honest input is your true group size, including the two friends who will decide on the day. Boats do not stretch, and a nineteenth guest on a booking for twelve strands seven people on the quay.
What length actually buys
- Up to ~15 meters: agile, fast to anchor, budget friendly; one social zone, fine for six to eight
- 15 to 20 meters: separate sunbathing and shade zones, real bathroom, comfortable for eight to ten
- 20 to 30 meters: a flybridge, a proper saloon, crew of two or three; twelve guests without queueing for anything
- 30 meters and up: week charter territory mostly; cabins, chef, and the toy garage
The question that picks the boat
What does 3pm look like on your perfect day? Everyone in the water with music up: prioritise swim platform, toys and shade over length. Long lunch at anchor: prioritise the dining setup. Cocktails and skyline at golden hour: a stylish smaller boat beats a bigger plainer one. Kids aboard: shade, stable hull and easy water access beat everything else. Tell us the 3pm answer and the shortlist writes itself.
Weeks are their own math
For crewed weeks, cabins matter more than meters: couples want cabin counts, families want a layout with kids near parents, friend groups want equal cabins to avoid the master cabin argument. Say who is sharing with whom in the first message and we will shortlist layouts, not just lengths. For groups over twelve, see the events guide: larger licensed vessels and two boat setups both work.