Independent

Yacht Charter Broker

By Referral Only

Croatia ∙ Greece ∙ Turkey ∙ Caribbean

Marco Quijano Lepori

My service is boutique by standards, guided by values — not by the price of the yacht.

I work with a limited number of yacht charters each year — regardless of size or budget — so I can stay personally involved in every client relationship and every decision along the way.

With over 13 years of experience, I work exclusively through personal referrals, providing discreet, hands-on guidance from the first conversation to the end of the charter.

Since 2018, I have been the official contracted yacht charter provider for Viajes El Corte Inglés, following a professional relationship that began in 2012.

Slano, Croatia — Adriatic. Photo © Marco Quijano Lepori

Yacht Charter Scope

I organize private yacht charters across different formats, destinations and group sizes, adapting the solution to each client profile rather than forcing a standard product.

Yacht types

Sailing yachts, sailing catamarans, power catamarans, motor yachts and traditional gulets, depending on destination, group size and cruising expectations.

Guest capacity & regulations

The standard maximum capacity for charter yachts is 12 guests.
In Croatia and Turkey, local regulations allow higher guest capacities on specific yacht types, making these destinations particularly suitable for larger private groups.

Crewed configurations

Charters range from skippered yachts, to fully crewed yachts with hostess and chef, up to larger professional crews on bigger vessels, depending on yacht category and guest requirements.

Water toys

Water toys vary by yacht size and classification.
Jet skis represent the main regulatory threshold: some yachts are licensed to carry them, others are not. This is addressed case by case.

Benetti motor yacht Akira One, Adriatic Sea, Croatia.
Photo © Marco Quijano Lepori

Larger private groups

For groups exceeding standard yacht capacities, coordinated solutions may include large-group charter vessels or multi-vessel configurations, planned and managed as a single operation.

Itineraries

Itineraries are designed individually, taking into account seasonality, prevailing weather patterns, local navigation conditions and the desired balance between cruising and time ashore.

Crew briefing prior to charter embarkation, Göcek

How I Work

The foundation of my work is direct, personal communication. Whenever possible, I meet my clients in person and travel to the destinations where they charter, because trust in yachting is built through presence and accountability.

Private yacht inspection – Saronic Gulf, Greece.

My professional background and structured project management approach allow me to handle each charter as a single, dedicated project. From the initial request to the client’s return home, every stage is personally supervised by me.

I work independently, without commercial agreements with specific yachts or fleets. This independence allows me to navigate the entire market and select what best suits each client’s needs, rather than promoting predetermined options.

Every aspect of the charter is managed personally: yacht selection, itineraries, negotiations, contracts, payments, transfers, and coordination with owners, captains, and central agencies. Clients have one single point of contact throughout.

Bookings can be completed either directly through me or via Viajes El Corte Inglés.

Personally meeting the crews I trust with my clients.

Yachts I Recommend

My recommendations are built on continuous, first-hand exposure to yachts in real operating conditions. I regularly inspect vessels while they are in charter, meet crews on board, and evaluate how yachts perform beyond ideal or staged environments.

This direct involvement allows me to assess not only comfort and layout, but also operational realities: crew dynamics, maintenance standards, decision-making on board, and how a yacht actually behaves when guests are present.

A trusted partner in Turkey since 2012.

Long-term relationships are a central part of how I work. In markets such as Turkey, I collaborate closely with owners and captains I have known for many years. These relationships are built on trust, consistency, and a shared understanding of what charter clients truly expect.

Working repeatedly with the same people allows for transparency, fast decision-making, and a level of operational reliability that cannot be achieved through one-off collaborations or purely commercial arrangements.

Long term partner in Croatia since 2012.

Over time, this approach has given me clarity about who to work with and, just as importantly, who not to work with. I collaborate only with owners, crews, and partners whose values align with mine and whose standards I trust over the long term.

While yacht shows and industry events play a role in staying informed, most of my knowledge comes from continuous presence, repeated inspections, and long-standing professional relationships developed across multiple seasons.

Monitoring a client yacht under construction – Croatia

In addition to onboard inspections, I also visit yachts while they are still under construction or undergoing refit, particularly in Croatia and Turkey. Being present at shipyards provides insight into build quality, technical decisions, and long-term maintenance considerations well before a yacht enters the charter market.

Understanding how and where a yacht is built—or how it has been refitted—often explains far more about its future performance than any specification sheet. This technical perspective forms an essential part of my recommendation process.

Yacht Shows

I attend selected yacht shows in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean as part of my ongoing work inspecting yachts and meeting crews in person.
These events complement my year-round inspections on board and at shipyards, helping me stay current with fleets, crews and standards across the market.

CRO.YA – Croatia Charter Yacht Show.

EMMYS — Poros, Greece
East Med Multihull Show

MEDYS — Nafplio, Greece
Mediterranean Yacht Show

TYBA — Göcek, Turkey
Turkish Yacht Brokers Association

CRO.YA — Split, Croatia
Croatia Charter Yacht Show

BCYS — Nassau, Bahamas
Bahamas Charter Yacht Show

Yacht Show Poros, Greece. Photo © Marco Quijano Lepori

About Marco

Biography

I was born into a family shaped by Colombian, Italian, and French roots, and grew up between Colombia, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and Spain. Being raised across different cultures from an early age shaped my perspective and prepared me naturally for an international professional life.

I studied Business Administration in Germany and spent more than 20 years working for German companies in international business development. That experience defines how I work today: with structure, discipline, precision, and a strong sense of responsibility.

First yacht inspection in Turkey, 2018

Professional Path

My path into yachting began in 2012, when I joined aBoatTime, a worldwide leading real-time online yacht booking platform, as a booking agent. One of our clients was Viajes El Corte Inglés, Spain’s leading travel company.

In 2018, Viajes El Corte Inglés invited me to continue collaborating with them as their contracted yacht charter provider through my own company. Since then, I have supported their network of travel agencies and curated hundreds of charters for their clients.

Over the years, I have built MARCOYACHT.ING as a boutique operation by design: I personally inspect yachts, meet crews, and travel through the destinations I recommend to maintain first-hand, current knowledge.

On board during a familiarization trip in Dalmatia

Trust & Responsibility

Every time someone contacts me because they were referred, the first thing I feel is gratitude — and then responsibility.

Trust cannot be bought or advertised; it is passed quietly from one person to another. I consider that trust something sacred, and it defines the way I work.

My clients come through personal recommendations, which means they arrive with a level of trust already present. My responsibility is to honour that trust through consistency, integrity, and absolute dedication to each journey.

Today, my work in yachting is simply the continuation of that path — shaped by movement, exposure to different cultures, and a way of working where trust and responsibility always come first.

Working on board during a familiarization trip.

Yachts & Destinations

The following images document my on-board presence across different yacht types and destinations.

All photographs are taken by me, during inspections, operational visits, or while accompanying crews before guest arrival.

Motor Yachts

Motor yachts are chosen when distance, timing and comfort are key. They allow clients to cover longer routes in less time and to maintain flexibility when itineraries depend on weather, marina availability or tight schedules. In destinations with greater distances between anchorages or where port logistics matter, they often become the most practical option.

Fuel consumption, however, is rarely just a question of size. It depends heavily on hull design, engine generation, cruising speed and how the yacht is actually operated. Newer engines are generally more efficient, but many yachts built 15 to 25 years ago—when properly refitted—offer a very strong balance between performance, reliability and charter cost. In those cases, technical upgrades and maintenance standards matter far more than the launch year.

Ionian Sea, Greece. Photo © Marco Quijano Lepori

Hull type plays a decisive role. Displacement and semi-displacement yachts prioritize stability and range, while planning hulls favor speed at the cost of higher consumption. Understanding how a specific hull behaves at different speeds is essential to selecting the right yacht for both the destination and the client’s expectations.

Stabilization systems are another critical factor. Zero-speed stabilizers significantly improve comfort at anchor, while underway stabilizers reduce fatigue during navigation—especially relevant in regions with longer passages or variable sea conditions. Their presence, type and maintenance state can make a substantial difference to the onboard experience.

Motor yacht ELVI (Posillipo), Saronic Gulf, Greece.
Photo © Marco Quijano Lepori

On motor yachts, the crew is often the defining element. Captains who know their yacht intimately—how it trims, how it consumes at different speeds, how it reacts in specific conditions—can optimize routes, comfort and operating costs in ways that specifications alone never reveal. Long-term crew stability is therefore as important as the yacht itself.

Finally, destination context matters. A motor yacht that performs brilliantly in one cruising area may be far less suitable in another due to distances, fuel availability, marina infrastructure or prevailing weather patterns. For some clients, motor yachts are the ideal solution; for others, they are not. Knowing when to recommend them—and when not to—is part of responsible brokerage.

Examples of motor yachts I have personally inspected or worked on, across different cruising regions.

Greece

Bahamas. Photo © Marco Quijano Lepori

Bahamas

Turkey. Photo © Marco Quijano Lepori

Turkey

Croatia. Photo © Marco Quijano Lepori

Gulets

Gulets are a yacht category with a very specific origin, operating logic and maintenance culture. Originally developed in Turkey, they were conceived for protected waters, shorter distances and a cruising style focused on social life on board rather than speed or long-range capability. When properly maintained and operated within the environment they were designed for, gulets can offer a very enjoyable and relaxed charter experience.

Turkey. Photo © Marco Quijano Lepori

I know the gulet market particularly well, especially in Turkey and Croatia. My relationship with this type of vessel goes back to the very beginning of my professional career: my first ever yacht inspection was on a gulet in Croatia. That early exposure is also why I am today especially selective and critical when recommending them.

My first inspection – Croatia, 2018

One of the main challenges with gulets is maintenance. While gulets are often associated with traditional wooden construction, many yachts marketed today under this category are built with steel, aluminium or composite hulls, while retaining the classic gulet layout and cruising philosophy. Regardless of construction material, these vessels require very specific care, usually best provided in the same shipyards and regions where they were originally built. When gulets are relocated far from their natural maintenance ecosystem, standards can deteriorate quickly, even if the vessel still appears attractive on paper or in photos.

Over time, gulets have often been positioned as a cost-effective alternative to motor yachts, primarily because they offer generous accommodation for larger groups. This is where many problems arise. In some markets, gulets have been treated more as a low-cost charter solution than as yachts requiring consistent technical investment and experienced crews. My most problematic charter experiences and largest client claims have all involved gulets, which is why my selection criteria today are particularly strict.

Both in Turkey and in Croatia there are excellent gulets, with well-maintained vessels and highly experienced crews. The difference lies not in the concept itself, but in how consistently it is supported over time.

In Croatia, the gulet market is divided between vessels of Turkish origin and gulets built locally. Many of the gulets operating today were originally constructed in Turkey and later relocated once local demand emerged. While a small number of these Turkish-built units are properly maintained, I recommend only very few of them, as maintaining consistent standards outside their original maintenance ecosystem is difficult and uneven.

By contrast, Croatian-built gulets are generally in noticeably better condition. Their construction, refit cycles and ongoing maintenance tend to be better aligned with local shipyards, suppliers and technical infrastructure, which results in greater operational reliability and fewer compromises during charter. Even so, selectivity remains essential, and I work with only a very limited number of gulets in Croatia that meet the level of consistency my clients expect.

Luxury Sailing Yachts — Made in Croatia

Luxury sailing yachts combine the volume and comfort of large yachts with a construction philosophy shaped by their intended cruising area rather than by ocean-crossing ambitions. Developed in Croatia and refined for the Adriatic and central Mediterranean, they offer a refined onboard experience that prioritizes space, stability and lifestyle over long-range capability.

Originally conceived for protected waters, shorter distances and predictable cruising patterns, these yachts are well suited to regions where navigation is largely coastal and conditions are generally moderate. In this context, they deliver a level of comfort and reliability that is entirely appropriate for their environment, without the complexity and cost associated with yachts designed for global passagemaking.

Although classified as sailing yachts, their real-world operation is predominantly under engine. Modern propulsion systems allow for smooth and efficient cruising at speeds that suit Mediterranean itineraries, with fuel consumption that remains relatively contained for yachts of this size. Sailing is possible when conditions allow, but it is not the defining element of the charter experience.

Interior layout and deck spaces are a defining strength of this category. With generous beam and large internal volumes, these yachts offer spacious cabins, wide exterior areas and a level of comfort comparable to much larger motor yachts. The design language is typically clean and understated, favoring durability, functionality and ease of operation over excessive ornamentation.

Exposure to these yachts at the construction stage also highlights the importance of timing, delivery schedules and realistic expectations—factors that rarely appear in brochures.

Croatia, 2022. Luxury sailing yacht under construction.

Clients who experience these yachts in Croatia often seek the same concept in other Mediterranean destinations. This demand has led to their growing presence in areas such as Greece and Italy, where their performance profile and operating efficiency remain equally well suited. Within the 40 to 55-meter range, they represent one of the few ways to enjoy yachts of this scale at charter rates that are a fraction of those associated with equivalent motor yachts.

As with all yacht types, context remains decisive. Luxury sailing yachts made in Croatia are not universal solutions, but when matched to the destinations and cruising styles they were designed for, they offer a balance of volume, efficiency and value that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Nowhere is this concept more coherent than in its place of origin.

Croatia

Dalmatia

Catamarans

Sailing catamarans cover a wide spectrum of charter formats, and understanding these differences is essential before recommending them. They range from bareboat units, to skippered, skipper and hostess configurations (typically offering breakfast and light lunch only), and fully crewed catamarans with at least a skipper, hostess and cook — often supported by additional crew depending on size and itinerary.

Their multihull design provides excellent stability at anchor, generous deck areas and spacious interiors relative to their length. This makes them particularly attractive for families and groups seeking comfort, privacy and a relaxed onboard atmosphere, especially in destinations with short distances and protected waters.

In practical terms, sailing under canvas plays a secondary role in most charter scenarios. Routing, timing and daily operation are largely managed under engine, with sailing remaining weather-dependent and opportunistic. This reflects how these yachts are actually used, rather than how they are sometimes marketed.

Fully crewed sailing catamarans deserve particular attention. When properly specified and operated, they represent one of the strongest alternatives to motor yachts available today. While significantly slower, their fuel consumption is often a fraction — sometimes less than one fifth — of that of an equivalent motor yacht, with dramatically lower operating costs and environmental impact. For clients prioritizing space, comfort and efficiency over speed, this balance can be highly compelling.

On board Lagoon Seventy 8 power catamaran, Greece

However, suitability remains highly destination-dependent. In regions where distances are short, navigation is sheltered and schedules are flexible, sailing catamarans perform exceptionally well. In areas with longer passages, exposed sea states or tight itineraries, their limitations must be clearly understood and communicated in advance.

As with all yacht types, responsible recommendation is not about category labels, but about matching the right format, crew structure and destination to the client’s expectations — and knowing when a sailing catamaran is the ideal solution, and when it is not.

Greece

Croatia

How to access my services

Access by referral

I work primarily with clients who have been personally referred.
If you were introduced by a client, partner or captain, please leave your WhatsApp number and the name of the person who referred you. I reply personally via WhatsApp.

Not referred yet

If you have not been referred, my services are available through Viajes El Corte Inglés, who have trusted me as their yacht charter broker for over a decade. Their advisors will be happy to assist you directly.

Why this structure

This structure allows me to maintain discretion, service quality and direct involvement in every charter I take on.

Independent

Yacht Charter Broker

By Referral Only

Croatia ∙ Greece ∙ Turkey ∙ Caribbean

Yacht Charter Scope

Yacht types

Guest capacity & regulations

Crewed configurations

Water toys

Larger private groups

Itineraries

How I Work

Yachts I Recommend

Yacht Shows

About Marco

Biography

Professional Path

Trust & Responsibility

Yachts & Destinations

Motor Yachts

Gulets

Luxury Sailing Yachts — Made in Croatia

Catamarans

How to access my services

Access by referral

Not referred yet

Why this structure

Company Information

Legal Information