Jeanneau 53 | Big Fella Thanks

Sail boat · Kalkara Marina · Malta Charters

6 cab 12 berths 16.1m 2014

Verified

€5,975 from / week

Get a Quote

Refundable security deposit €4,000 held at check-in, returned after charter

The charter fee covers the yacht, standard equipment, and insurance. Cleaning, tourist tax, and any optional extras (skipper, paddle board, etc.) are billed at the base — we confirm the full breakdown when you request a quote.

Available Weeks

Typical weather at Kalkara (3-year mean, Open-Meteo)

Jan

17°

9h 27

Feb

16°

9h 26

Mar

18°

11h 28

Apr

20°

11h 27

May

23°

12h 25

Jun

29°

13h 19

Jul

33°

14h 20

Aug

31°

13h 18

Sep

29°

11h 20

Oct

26°

10h 21

Nov

22°

9h 23

Dec

18°

8h 25

Prime Shoulder Off-season

Loading prices...

+18 more

What you'll pay

Charter pricing is famously opaque. Here's everything the operator will charge — mandatory items paid at the base, plus optional add-ons you can opt into.

Paid at the base (mandatory)

Service Pack 5 cabin (Includes full water tanks, cooking gas bottles, linen, blanket and towel for each crew member & end cleaning)

€160 per rental mandatory

Refundable security deposit

Held at check-in (card pre-auth or bank transfer), refunded after charter if the yacht is returned without damage. Deposit-waiver insurance is one of the optional extras below — reduces the held amount in exchange for a smaller non-refundable premium.

€4,000 refundable mandatory

Services & extras (optional)

Outboard

€95 per week optional

Starter Pack - Provisioning up to 6 person washing up liquid, sponge, bin liners, matches, toilet and kitchen rolls, fruit plate, water, orange juice, wine, packet of biscuits, tea, coffee, sugar & milk)

€75 per rental optional

Skipper

€235 per night optional

Insurance waiver + deposit (1000€)

€315 per week optional

Gas BBQ+ gas cylinder hire

€45 per week optional

Hostess

€210 per night optional

Insurance waiver (+300€ fuel deposit)

€420 per week optional

Snorkeling Equipmnet x2 free then each

€6 per rental optional

Extra night on yacht

€30 per night optional

Wi-Fi (unlimited)

€70 per week optional

6 Cabins

12 Berths

4 Toilets

16m Length

Length16.1m

Beam4.77m

Cabins6

Berths12

WC4

Year2014

TypeSail boat

Deposit€4,000

Equipment (6 aboard · 46 not)

Holding tank
Autopilot
Chart plotter
Bimini
Sprayhood
Teak deck
Air condition
Heating
Refrigerator
Coffee maker
Ice maker
Dishwasher
Washer/Dryer
TV
DVD player
Radio-CD player
Cockpit speakers
Game console
Wi-Fi & Internet
Convertible table
Cockpit cushions
Electric toilet
Generator
Solar Panels
Inverter
Water maker
Outside Steering Position
Chart plotter in cockpit
Radar
Spinnaker
Gennaker
Racing sails
Lazy jack
Lazy bag
Electric winches
Bow thruster
Outboard engine
Rudder blades
Flybridge
Hydraulic gangway
Tender garage
Tenderlift platform
Swimming platform
Swimming pool
Underwater lights
Teak Cockpit
Railing net
Barbecue grill in cockpit
Dinghy
Diving equipment
Snorkeling equipment
Stand up paddle

Perfect for groups With 6 cabins sleeping 12, this Jeanneau 53 is ideal for families or friend groups wanting to explore together without splitting into multiple boats. The 2014 build keeps her modern enough while the price reflects realistic value in the market.

Well-equipped cruiser She's got the essentials for comfortable sailing: bimini and sprayhood for sun and spray protection, autopilot to reduce fatigue on longer passages, and a proper chart plotter for navigation. The teak deck and holding tank are nice touches that suggest thoughtful maintenance.

Honest value proposition At roughly €6,000/week from a Malta base, you're looking at reasonable rates for a six-cabin boat that size, expect to pay more for newer builds or fancier bases like the Greek islands. The €4,000 deposit is standard and manageable.

One real consideration Malta's charter season can be windy and the base itself is fairly industrial rather than postcard-pretty, so manage expectations if you're imagining idyllic anchorages from day one. That said, it's brilliantly positioned for reaching Greece, Sicily, and Tunisia if you're willing to sail a bit.

AI-assisted insight based on yacht specifications. Our charter experts can provide personalised advice.

The marina & destination

Based at Kalkara Marina, in Kalkara, Malta. Big Fella Thanks is operated by Malta Charters.

Kalkara Wharf

Why this is a great starting point

Kalkara Marina sits in the Grand Harbour area of Valletta, offering immediate access to Malta's central cruising grounds and the sister islands of Gozo and Comino, all reachable within a day's sail. Week 1 typically involves exploring the sheltered anchorages around Comino, the northwest coast toward Mellieha Bay, and day trips to Gozo's harbours at Mgarr or Xlendi, with consistent northwesterly winds providing reliable sailing. The marina's position in one of the Mediterranean's finest natural harbours means you can clear customs and provisioning on arrival before heading out, minimising admin before your holiday begins.

Can Big Fella Thanks be rented with or without a skipper?

You can charter Big Fella Thanks bareboat (you skipper) if you hold the relevant sailing licence, or hire a professional skipper alongside the yacht. The choice is yours when you request the quote.

What sailing licence do I need to charter Big Fella Thanks?

Bareboat charter typically requires a recognised sailing licence (RYA Day Skipper, ICC, ASA, or equivalent) plus a VHF radio licence. The exact requirements depend on the country of charter — we confirm with the operator when you enquire.

What's included in the charter price?

The charter fee covers the yacht, standard equipment, and insurance for the dates booked. Tourist tax, transit log (final cleaning + bed linen), fuel, food, marina fees during the trip, and any optional extras (skipper, paddle board, etc.) are normally extra and paid at the base.

What additional costs should I expect at the base?

Typical mandatory extras are the transit log (often €200–€350), tourist tax (a small per-person-per-day fee), and a refundable security deposit (often €1,500–€5,000 depending on the yacht). Optional extras like a skipper, hostess, paddle board, or early check-in are listed on the quote.

How does the security deposit work?

The deposit is held by the operator at check-in (usually card pre-authorisation) and refunded after check-out if the yacht is returned without damage. Many operators offer a deposit-waiver insurance product that reduces the held amount in exchange for a smaller non-refundable premium.

Can I cancel my charter booking?

Cancellation terms vary by operator. Most allow cancellation with a full refund if requested more than 60–90 days before the start date, with progressive penalties closer to departure. Some operators offer a flexible-cancellation insurance product when you book.

Is the yacht insured?

Yes — every yacht is insured by the operator against damage and third-party liability. The insurance covers the yacht itself; personal effects and trip cancellation are not covered and are worth insuring separately.

What documents do I need to bring?

You'll need your passport, sailing licence (if chartering bareboat), VHF radio licence, and proof of payment. The operator will send a check-in form ahead of time covering crew details and any special requests.

What payment methods are accepted?

Charter fees are normally paid by bank transfer in advance (often a 50% deposit at booking, balance 30 days before charter). On-base extras are usually paid by card or in cash.

The SailChecker View

Have you thought of...

Bali 4.1 | Double Six

Kalkara Marina, Malta

2019 · 6 cab · 12.1m

from €7,300/week

We'll check live availability, apply any discounts, and come back within hours.

Back to Search