CharterDesk compared
Compared with running charters by hand in Outlook and spreadsheets, CharterDesk opens each enquiry as a deal, drafts the emails and proposals, and keeps contract steps and payments in one place. Compared with a general CRM, it already knows charter work: central agents, APA, VAT by cruising area, MYBA steps and proposal pages. A general CRM covers more kinds of business; CharterDesk covers one, closely.
A new enquiry
CharterDeskOpens as a deal on arrival, with dates, guests, area and budget filled in, and a reply drafted.
By hand: Outlook and spreadsheetsYou read it, copy the details into a sheet and write the reply.
A general CRMA contact or lead, often made by hand or by a form; the charter details are fields you set up.
Yachts and availability
CharterDeskA shortlist from your book that fits, priced all in, and an availability email drafted to each central agent.
By hand: Outlook and spreadsheetsYou search your notes, write to each central agent and track the answers in your inbox.
A general CRMNot built in; yachts and central agents are records you design yourself.
The proposal
CharterDeskA page in your colours with the photos and all-in price; the client taps the one they like.
By hand: Outlook and spreadsheetsA PDF or a long email, made by hand each time.
A general CRMUsually a quote or document template, made for products rather than yachts.
Contract steps
CharterDeskEvery step to signed, MYBA, DocuSign or plain, ticked as it happens, with whose move it is.
By hand: Outlook and spreadsheetsKept in your head, your inbox and a sheet.
A general CRMPipeline stages you define; the contract steps are yours to build.
Fee, VAT and APA
CharterDeskWorked out as you type; deposit, balance and APA due dates set from the contract.
By hand: Outlook and spreadsheetsA spreadsheet you keep up yourself.
A general CRMUsually not; amounts are numbers you type in.
What gets sent
CharterDeskNothing without you pressing send.
By hand: Outlook and spreadsheetsEverything is sent by you.
A general CRMDepends on the automations you set up.
Price
CharterDeskAgreed for your office on a short call, with every agent and tool.
By hand: Outlook and spreadsheetsYour time.
A general CRMVaries by vendor and seat; setup is often extra.
When the others are the better choice
- If you take a handful of charters a year, Outlook and a spreadsheet may be all you need.
- If your business sells many things beside charter, or you have a large team with its own sales process, a general CRM covers more of it.
- If you need a yacht listing site or a booking engine for the public, CharterDesk is not that: it is the broker’s desk behind the scenes.