Even Rod Stewart Charters his yachts

WHAT do Rod Stewart, Sharon Stone, Liz Hurley, Tom Cruise, and P. Diddy all have in common?

For a variety of reasons, only the most dedicated sailing enthusiasts use their boats more than the occasional weekend plus a couple of weeks of cruising in summer.

And this is one of the main reasons for the growing popularity of chartering.

Chartering guarantees luxury and total relaxation, along with flexibility and fabulous destinations - but without the hassle.

Along with the home gym, a yacht probably ranks as the most under-used leisure asset ever invented.

There are 4,973 charter companies around the globe, offering 11,115 models of yacht in 691 sailing areas. So you can choose between Australia's magnificent coral reefs, dancing to a reggae beat on a Caribbean isle, exploring the glamour of the Mediterranean coast or enjoying the stunningly beautiful islands of the South Pacific.

It's not just the leisure market enjoying the attractions of chartering. Corporate hire is also big business - and getting bigger. It's easy to see why.

There are a host of sound business reasons for booking a corporate function afloat. To the romance of the sea, add flawless on-board service, luxurious accommodation, spectacular lounges and meeting areas and first-class cuisine. The perfect way to set the scene for any business meeting.

In addition, a completely customised travel experience with carefully selected destinations make a luxury yacht charter the ultimate escape.

An increasing number of CEOs and senior executives see a yacht charter as a key element in corporate bonding sessions and a charter yacht offers high levels of security and privacy. Chartering can cost as little as £1,800 a day, depending on the size and facilities on board. If you want a superyacht for the day it can cost as much as £90,000 - but offers the equivalent of a five-star-plus, self-contained floating private resort, complete with business and conference facilities plus entertainment and relaxation amenities.

Mind you, as some unfortunates trying to trim costs have found, the actual chartering can be a complex technical and logistical matter - and one best left to the experts. In the top echelons of the yachting world, Edmiston(www.edmistoncompany.com) is one of the major players promising to gauge the personal requirements of every client from offices in London, Monaco and Los Angeles.

Another highly-regarded operator is the Burgess Group (www.burgessyachts.com/Charter/), a large vessel specialist founded in London in 1975, which also has offices in Monaco, Miami, Moscow and Seattle. Formal or casual, adventurous or sophisticated…these companies promise to match clients’ aspirations with their yachts and programmes. And they usually do…