What is the difference between a MYBA and a CYBA charter contract?
Both are standard-form charter agreements built around the same core structure — charter fee, deposit schedule, APA and cancellation terms — with MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) more common in Europe and CYBA (Charter Yacht Brokers Association) more common in the US and Caribbean. In practice the terms are similar enough that which one you sign mostly reflects where the yacht and its management company are based.
Key facts
- MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) and CYBA (Charter Yacht Brokers Association) are both industry-standard charter contract forms.
- MYBA agreements are more commonly used in Europe; CYBA agreements are more commonly used in the US and Caribbean.
- Both cover the same core terms: charter fee, deposit and balance schedule, APA and cancellation provisions.
- Which contract applies to your charter mostly follows where the yacht and its management company are based, not anything you choose yourself.
Why two standard contracts exist
Both MYBA and CYBA are broker associations that developed their own standard-form agreements to give the charter industry consistent, well-understood contract terms rather than every yacht or brokerage drafting bespoke paperwork from scratch. That consistency benefits everyone — charterers, brokers and yacht owners alike — since the terms are well-tested and widely recognised.
The geographic split reflects where each association is strongest historically: MYBA in the Mediterranean and wider European charter market, CYBA in the US and Caribbean market. A yacht chartering primarily out of Antigua is more likely to use CYBA terms; one based in the South of France more likely MYBA.
What actually matters when you sign
Because the two forms cover the same core ground — charter fee, deposit and balance schedule, APA arrangements and cancellation terms — the practical difference for you as a charterer is usually minor. What matters more is reading the specific figures and dates filled into whichever form applies to your charter, since those are what govern your actual booking.
Your broker will use whichever contract is standard for the yacht you're booking and can talk you through any clause that needs clarifying — there's no need to have a preference between the two, and you won't typically be offered a choice.
Common questions
Can I ask for the other contract form if I'm more familiar with it?
It's uncommon — the yacht's management company generally has a standard form it uses, and switching isn't typical, though your broker can raise it if you have a specific reason.
Are there other charter contract forms besides MYBA and CYBA?
MYBA and CYBA are the two most widely used standard forms, though some yachts or management companies use their own bespoke agreements built along similar lines.
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