how does design for Charter differ from One Owner/User boats?

Overall, cabin crusiers, mono-sailers, cat sailor, power cats.

More bunks? What does a charter have less of? Storage? Single big master suite?

How does equipment differ? Detuned,robust and slower sail sets and engines?

 

Yeah, charters tend to be "cutup" a bit in accommodations, where berth count is more important. Storage is where you can get it, so under settees, bunks, etc. all will be utilized, though I don't think any less or more than a typical cruiser. As far as equipment and performance potential, you'll find the gamut, from low grade production to custom hydraulics. It depends on what the client wants. As a rule, a purpose built charter isn't setup, equipped or rigged to be an effective racer, but some will do okay in the regattas, depending on how competitive the owner wants to be.

 

Charterboats that are crewed tend to have bigger gensets and other utilities. The usual routine is to get the guests off the boat for a couple hours, and then as soon as they are out of earshot, all hell breaks loose. Laundry, watermaking, food prep, cleaning, and maintenance all going on on top of each other. An owner boat might need a 10 gal/hr watermaker. The same charter might need a 100 gal/hr watermaker, and a genset able to run it and every other appliance all at the same time.

 

There is a chance that the coast guard might have additional safety requirements for a charter boat. Life rafts, etc than for a boat for personal use

 

Charter boats carry passengers for hire.
Privately owned boats do not.

USCG rules for passengers for hire depend on how many passengers.
six or less passengers: the requirements are the same as for private recreational boats.
More than six passengers, up to 100 gross tons are in Subchapter T. The rules in Subchapter T are much more stringent than for recreational boats. The design must be reviewed and approved by the USCG before build. During build and after the boat is inspected by USCG for compliance, and during it's life as a passenger vessel.

Some things that are allowed on recreational boats are not allowed on passenger vessels, and some things not required on recreational boats are required on passenger vessels.

PS: I am speaking of crewed charter boats. Bare boat charters are treated as recreational vessels.

 

there are charter boats and then there are charter boats. price level many times dictates accommodations. your insurance company also have to say and how your boat is built and may require their own certifications and standards. Remember insurance is very important in order to be able to Dock and Marina and pick up passengers