How do you know a yacht charter broker is legitimate?

A legitimate yacht charter broker holds your deposit in a dedicated escrow or client account, issues a written contract on recognized terms, and belongs to a professional association such as CYBA or MYBA. Those three checks filter out nearly every bad actor. Ask where the money sits until the charter starts; the correct answer is never a personal account. Ask which contract form covers the booking. CYBA and MYBA terms spell out refunds, cancellation and what happens if the yacht itself cancels. Red flags are simple: rates 40 percent below market, pressure to wire funds today, no physical address. Reputable brokers also inspect yachts at industry boat shows and can name crews they have met in person.