Boat exchange

[benewiarton]

I’m sure this has been a topic before, but my searches haven’t been successful in finding past posts.
I’m looking to trade time on my Beneteau 331 on Georgian Bay during June thru August, and into September if you like brisk weather sailing, for time on a comparable sailboat in the Bahamas, or another comfortable sailing ground in the Caribbean, during the January-March timeframe. Is this the place to pursue this? Thanks.

 

[BigEasy]

Please do your due diligence with regards to insurance & liabilty issues. Great idea; however, you could be setting yourself up for trouble if someone gets injured due to lack of maintenance or oversite, as well as damage to other boats & property. I once considered placing my boat in an existing charter service on the Gulf Coast; however, decided that the personal risk & risk of damage to my boat was not worth the minimal financial gain. I know that your idea is not the same as a charter operation, but there are similarities as pertains to liability.

 

[benewiarton]

Certainly, this is an important issue. There are a number of places you can find the documentation you need to make binding agreements, like online boat exchanges. Then you need to clear them with your insurance company. I’ve done a boat exchange before, when I had a Freedom 30. Thanks for your note.

 

[capta]

As an owner, I don't believe there is anything that would get me to allow a stranger to cruise my boat. On the other side of the coin, I should think a bare boat charter, from a reputable company, would be the best option.

 

[benewiarton]

I’ve had good luck with exchanges between sailors. Bareboat rentals have been 50/50. I think sailors are a pretty good crowd. YMMV, of course.