The Amalfi Coast has been a destination for discerning sailors since the Grand Tour. The same cliff villages that attracted Shelley and Turner still stand above the same deep-blue Tyrrhenian water; the only material difference is that a classic wooden yacht now navigates between them with a professional crew rather than under oar and lateen sail. The connection between coastline and vessel type remains as direct as it was two centuries ago.
Three classic yachts in the Italian fleet can be chartered along the full Amalfi Coast, from restored pre-war schooners to post-war ketches with working rigs and established racing records. These are passage-making vessels, maintained to charter standards and sailed by crews who chose them for the same reasons guests do. The itinerary is the same as any modern sailing charter; the quality of the passage is entirely different.
Charter rates for classic yachts on the Amalfi Coast run from 85,000 to 245,000 euros per week, with some exceptional historic vessels asking more during peak season. The advance provisioning allowance, at around 30 percent of the charter fee, covers fuel, provisioning and port costs. Given constrained availability, booking well in advance is recommended for any date between June and September.
The full coast from Sorrento to Vietri sul Mare covers manageable distances under sail, with reliable harbours at Positano, Amalfi and Cetara providing overnight berths. The island circuit of Capri, Ischia and Procida lies within a comfortable day sail from any point along the coast, extending the itinerary without extending the passage distances.
