If you are a hardcore boating enthusiast or old salt who knows that you'll be distance cruising, or who wants to be able to spontaneously spend any day or night aboard whenever the whim hits you, or if you have as much fun working on boats as sailing them, or if you're particular about your personal possessions or personal space, then any form of boat sharing is probably not for you. On the other hand, boat sharing can be a fantastic option for new boaters, people on a tight budget, casual now-and-then boaters, those who want to sail in different locations without the long passages, and people with limited time to devote to the life aquatic (we've heard talk that there are other interests worth pursuing, though we've yet to see solid evidence).
Combining these different approaches can also offer a great option for those wanting to try out a number of different types of boats, and can provide a good way to see what you do and do not like before investing in a boat of your very own. You may find the boat of your dreams (or of your nightmares) by chartering, by sailing club boats, or through one of the other sharing methods. You may even find that variety is what does it for you, and you'd rather get experience on a multitude of craft all over the world than be bound to the costs and labor involved in any one particular boat and location.
Final advice: If you decide to charter, enter into a fractional ownership or timeshare, or even just join a club, shop around. We don't recommend particular boating businesses here at YachtPals.com, but you can! If you know of any good boat sharing companies and want to steer YachtPals members and readers in the right direction, or want to warn people about companies which are not so good, please spread the world using our review system.
วันเสาร์ที่ 18 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2553
Boat Clubs
Boat club programs are a great way for people to get time on the water, and to try a variety of boats. These clubs are often available through boating or sailing schools, boating associations, boat cooperatives and even some charter and timeshare companies. Though these boat clubs do not generally offer actual ownership of a boat, they can be a cheap and easy way to get significant time on the water, and they have many other benefits. With boat clubs you generally get access to a fleet of power boats and/or sailboats at a specific location, and some clubs offer access to boats owned by the club in other locations as well. Since there are usually many boats available, scheduling is often pretty flexible (except on holiday weekends), unlike timeshares and fractional boat ownerships where you need to plan your boat time well in advance.
The downside is that boats in these types of clubs are generally smaller, and overnight boating time may not be allowed, or may be very limited. Like with chartering, you are only renting the boats, so you won't be gaining any equity (except in some cooperatives), and sometimes these rental boats are put to hard use, and it shows. If you're thinking of going this route, it's a good idea to visit the club mid week to check out its fleet (inside and out), and then again on the weekend to see what might be available in case you had a sudden hankering (and to see how efficiently its run when busy). Also, you might see if you can rent a boat just for a day to make sure you're comfortable getting in and out of the marina before you sign up for a longer term.
The downside is that boats in these types of clubs are generally smaller, and overnight boating time may not be allowed, or may be very limited. Like with chartering, you are only renting the boats, so you won't be gaining any equity (except in some cooperatives), and sometimes these rental boats are put to hard use, and it shows. If you're thinking of going this route, it's a good idea to visit the club mid week to check out its fleet (inside and out), and then again on the weekend to see what might be available in case you had a sudden hankering (and to see how efficiently its run when busy). Also, you might see if you can rent a boat just for a day to make sure you're comfortable getting in and out of the marina before you sign up for a longer term.
วันเสาร์ที่ 14 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2553
Boat Timeshares or Fractional Yacht Ownership
Another option for sharing a boat is using a professional boat share program. Boat timeshares or fractional yacht ownership companies can be used to handle the ins and outs of sharing a vessel while removing the personal issues, and they can be a good option. These businesses offer watercraft from little fishing boats up to huge sailing mega yachts. Some of these fractional boat ownership programs sell actual 'shares' in the vessels, and other timeshares sell 'memberships,' where the dues you pay provide you access to the boats, but no actual equity ownership. It is very important when using these types of companies to be absolutely clear about what you will and won't get for your money, and to confirm that they have clear, written rules that are enforced. Don't let that beautiful boat lull you - do the same research as you would with any major purchase, and check out the company you plan to use as well.
Whether settling on a boat timeshare or a fractional yacht ownership, make sure you get firm prices in writing on not only initial payments and annual costs, but any other costs which might be incurred. Other questions that need to be answered include things like scheduling: How much time do you get on the boat? When can you get your time on the boat, and how far in advance do you generally need to plan? What about major vacation times - everybody wants the boat during holidays and at the height of vacation season, how are these dates negotiated? Then there's ownership: What happens if a partner sells or dies? Can you sell or transfer your share? What happens to your money if you do not receive ownership deeds as part of the deal and the holding company folds? And how about responsibility: How is the boat maintained, and what assurances do you have that it will be kept in good condition? Who cleans and preps the boat? What if the boat breaks down? What happens if you come for your two weeks and the boat is a mess?
Do your research, and get everything in writing. The timeshare/fractional boat company surely won't trust your word without a check, and you shouldn't trust theirs without a clearly written contract.
Whether settling on a boat timeshare or a fractional yacht ownership, make sure you get firm prices in writing on not only initial payments and annual costs, but any other costs which might be incurred. Other questions that need to be answered include things like scheduling: How much time do you get on the boat? When can you get your time on the boat, and how far in advance do you generally need to plan? What about major vacation times - everybody wants the boat during holidays and at the height of vacation season, how are these dates negotiated? Then there's ownership: What happens if a partner sells or dies? Can you sell or transfer your share? What happens to your money if you do not receive ownership deeds as part of the deal and the holding company folds? And how about responsibility: How is the boat maintained, and what assurances do you have that it will be kept in good condition? Who cleans and preps the boat? What if the boat breaks down? What happens if you come for your two weeks and the boat is a mess?
Do your research, and get everything in writing. The timeshare/fractional boat company surely won't trust your word without a check, and you shouldn't trust theirs without a clearly written contract.
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