The 2027 St Barths Bucket runs 17–21 March in Gustavia, with registration on 17 March and four race days from 18 to 21 March, each with a first signal at 11:25, subject to change. Charter guests usually watch from a yacht that is not racing, from a position the captain chooses. Book early: the same week is the Antigua Racing Cup, and yachts in the region are in demand.
At a glance
| Dates | 17–21 March 2027 in Gustavia: registration on 17 March, four race days 18–21 March |
| Racing | First signal at 11:25 each race day, subject to change by the organiser |
| How charter guests take part | As spectators on a yacht that is not racing, unless the yacht itself is entered |
| A published winter rate we read | A 32 m (105 ft) sailing yacht: €90,000–€95,000 a week, plus a 30% APA (not a Bucket-week offer) |
| Book | As early as possible; the same week is the Antigua Racing Cup (17–21 March 2027) |
| The one thing to check | Whether the yacht will be in St Barths that week, and the rate for those exact dates |
What the Bucket is
The St Barths Bucket is a regatta for large sailing superyachts, raced around St Barthélemy from Gustavia. In 2026 a record 39 yachts registered and 33 started in nine classes, from 28 to 78 metres long, with six more sailing alongside as support yachts (Yacht magazine, yacht.de).
- Superyacht: a privately owned yacht, generally 24 m or longer, run by a professional crew.
- Spectator yacht: a yacht that follows the racing with guests on board but does not race.
The 2027 schedule
| Date | Racing | Events listed by the organiser |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 17 Mar | Registration 09:00–17:00; captains' briefing 17:00 | Fleet welcoming events; the Owners' Party is by invitation |
| Thu 18 Mar | Race 1, first signal 11:25 | Daily awards and a crew party |
| Fri 19 Mar | Race 2, first signal 11:25 | Daily awards and a crew party |
| Sat 20 Mar | Race 3, first signal 11:25 | Daily awards and the Bucket Bash |
| Sun 21 Mar | Race 4, first signal 11:25 | Final awards and party |
Source: St Barths Bucket, preliminary schedule of events. The first signal starts each day's sequence; individual yachts start at different times. The organiser can change the schedule for weather, so check the official site before you travel.
Can a charter yacht race?
Only if the yacht itself is entered, which is the owner's decision and subject to the organiser's class rules in the Notice of Race. Eligibility questions go to the event office. For most charter guests the realistic plan is to watch from a yacht that is not racing.
Watching the racing from a yacht
The captain chooses a suitable vessel and a safe spectator position, follows race-control and harbour restrictions, and judges the conditions. A tender is not automatically suitable for watching offshore, and the racing yachts need plenty of room. Gustavia's harbour is small: port dues are collected by a harbour patrol, the outer harbour is the usual anchorage, and berths on the quay are scarce in race week (Noonsite).
St Martin is the nearest charter base to St Barths, and Antigua is further away. Ask whether a delivery charge applies if the yacht must reposition.
What a race week costs
We found no published Bucket-week rate. As a regional example, one 32 m sailing yacht in our Charter Price Index lists €90,000–€95,000 a week for the Caribbean winter of 2026–27, plus a 30% APA, on MYBA terms (Yacht Warriors, read 29 October 2026). Event weeks can carry minimum stays or different rates, so ask for the rate for 17–21 March.
Illustration: eight guests on that yacht
| Line | Assumption | € |
|---|---|---|
| Charter fee | Upper published winter rate | 95,000 |
| APA | 30% of the fee, as listed | 28,500 |
| Crew tip | 15% of the fee | 14,250 |
| Illustrative funding before tax | 137,750 |
The €137,750 is before any tax, delivery charge and costs outside the APA. The APA is reconciled against receipts at the end of the week: unused money comes back, and a shortfall is topped up under the contract. The tip is at your discretion. For how this works, see what APA is.
When to book
As early as you can. March is high season, and the race fleet, support yachts and spectator yachts all want the same anchorage. The Antigua Racing Cup runs the same week, so yachts across the northern Leeward Islands are in demand. For the season, see the best time for a Caribbean charter and, for prices, the cost of a crewed Caribbean charter.
What to ask your broker
- Will the yacht be in St Barths for 17–21 March, or is there a delivery charge?
- What is the rate for those exact dates, and is there a minimum stay?
- Where does the captain plan to watch from, and what are the race-week restrictions?
- Which events, if any, are open to charter guests?
- Which taxes apply to this charter, given where it starts and ends?
When this is not the right choice
- You want quiet anchorages and easy restaurant bookings. Gustavia is at its busiest.
- You want to race. Unless the yacht is entered, you are a spectator.
- You want lower demand. A week later in March or in April gives you St Barths with more choice.
Questions people ask
When is the St Barths Bucket 2027?
17 to 21 March 2027, according to the organiser's preliminary schedule. 17 March is registration, and the four race days are 18 to 21 March, with a first signal at 11:25 each day. The organiser can change the schedule for weather.
Can spectators go to the Bucket parties?
The evening events are organised for the race fleet and their crews, and the Owners' Party is by invitation. Ask the broker or the captain what, if anything, is open to charter guests. Gustavia's bars and restaurants are open to everyone, but very busy that week.
How many yachts race in the St Barths Bucket?
In 2026 a record 39 yachts registered and 33 started in nine classes, from 28 to 78 metres, with six more sailing alongside as support yachts. The organiser publishes the 2027 entry list.
Is there VAT on a yacht charter in St Barths?
French VAT does not apply in Saint-Barthélemy, but the tax on a charter can depend on where it starts, ends and cruises. Ask the broker to confirm the tax on your quote in writing.
Sources
- St Barths Bucket, Preliminary schedule of events 2027 (17-21 March 2027), read 29 Oct 2026
- St Barths Bucket, Notice of Race (classes and event office), read 29 Oct 2026
- Yacht (yacht.de), St Barth's Bucket 2026 (39 registered, 33 started, nine classes, 28-78 m, six support yachts), read 29 Oct 2026
- Noonsite, St Barts fees (Gustavia port dues, outer harbour), read 29 Oct 2026
- Bernard Gallay, VAT essentials in the yachting industry (St Barth), read 29 Oct 2026
- Yachtwarriors, Il Mio Canto Libero (105 ft sailing yacht), winter 2026-27 rates, MYBA terms, 30% APA, read 29 Oct 2026
- Caribbean Sailing Association event calendar (Antigua Racing Cup 17-21 March 2027), read 29 Oct 2026
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