Negotiating Charter contract

Have a Maritime Attorney review it.

It's a fairly straight forward contract, which I've never seen negotiated or altered (although, I've probably only signed and operated on a few dozen MYBA agreements).
I think you should pick the right broker, find a great boat & crew, sign the contract, and enjoy the heck out of your vacation.

How can you tell that while it may have an MYBA header it is the real deal?

the MYBA contract is so universal and simple, you can google it and compare what you are signing to the MYBA template.

I've signed the MYBA contract many times and have no issues with it. Your issue appears to be with the one section, Clause 21, related to Brokers. This is quite normal in defining the role of the broker. They are simply brokers. They are not the primary parties to the agreement as they don't own the boat, nor are they chartering it. So they're held harmless against anything done by the owner or charterer. This contract also makes things very clear to owner and charterer as to their obligations.

The contract also does cover what happens to the money and when.

Of course the contract is written for the protection of the person presenting it. It's their contract. Nobody is obligated to sign a contract against their interests. Negotiate it. Cross out and initial the parts you find objectionable, and return it with your deposit. If they refuse to accept it, forget them and bring your family on a different (and probably better) type of vacation. Beats spending your vacation worrying about how you might be putting yourself in jeopardy. Remember, the fool isn't the one who asks for the world. The fool is the one who gives it to them. Also remember that, while your money is still in your pocket, they need you more than you need them.

The contract is written to clearly state the obligations of the Owner and the Charterer. Nothing evil or hidden or some other motivation. The broker is just that, a broker, and the contract is written as a standard by the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association. There is no unusual jeopardy that this puts a charterer into. Have you even read the contract, Nycap?

No need to. I was talking about contracts in general. The OP is the one who found this particular contract didn't suit him. Others aren't bothered by it. I simply pointed out that, just because someone presents you with a contract doesn't mean it can't be changed or refused. If the boat's calendar is full, they won't budge. If they need the work they will. Beats an empty charter yacht sitting on the dock draining the owner's wallet instead of filling it.

Actually it does provide for damages. And if it's a non-go and the charter is terminated then the broker keeps nothing.

e) If the cancellation is for any reason, other than force majeure, the CHARTERER shall be entitled to repayment without interest
of the full amount of all payments made by him to the OWNER or Stakeholder, and shall in addition be entitled to liquidated damages
to be calculated and paid forthwith on the following scale:
i) thirty (30) days or more before commencement of the Charter Period, an amount equivalent to twenty five percent (25%) of the
Charter Fee.
ii) more than fourteen (14) days but less than thirty (30) days before commencement of the Charter Period, an amount equivalent
to thirty five percent (35%) of the Charter Fee.
iii) fourteen (14) days or less before commencement of the Charter Period, an amount equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the
Charter Fee.
​

As to crew issues, pick a reputable broker and that's not likely to be an issue. And, if there's a problem with a crew member, they'll do all they can to rectify it. We've personally ended up hiring 4 crew members we met on charters. But a crew no-show would have the penalties outlined.

That was what I was getting at in Post No 4

Depending on the flag of the yacht and locale you may not have a choice of contracts but the AYCA bareboat charter agreement is one we operate on almost exclusively.