Hello, If there's anyone out there who has experience in having a boat managed by a charter fleet, I would be interested in any and all feedback. I am currently seriously planning on purchasing a pre-owned Hunter (maybe a 31) primarily for charter income (in the Great Lakes) and also for some owner usage. thanks, Renato
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Stephen Ostrander
charters
I've never had a boat in charter, but my personal opinion is that if you can only get away for a week or two each season to go sailing, then putting a boat in charter might make sense for you. But don't think that you are going to make tons of money by doing this. My informed opinion (informed because a good friend works in the biz) is that the charter company can nickel and dime you to death with maintenance costs because that is another source of income to them. Remember, you are still going to have costs for bottom jobs, insurance, canvas, sails, etc etc and the charter co. does not want shabby looking boats for their customers. And the customers will not treat the boat the way you would treat your own. So don't do it if the boat is your baby and you are really picky about it. Again, just my opinions, FWTW.
I've never had a boat in charter, but my personal opinion is that if you can only get away for a week or two each season to go sailing, then putting a boat in charter might make sense for you. But don't think that you are going to make tons of money by doing this. My informed opinion (informed because a good friend works in the biz) is that the charter company can nickel and dime you to death with maintenance costs because that is another source of income to them. Remember, you are still going to have costs for bottom jobs, insurance, canvas, sails, etc etc and the charter co. does not want shabby looking boats for their customers. And the customers will not treat the boat the way you would treat your own. So don't do it if the boat is your baby and you are really picky about it. Again, just my opinions, FWTW.
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John Van Stone
Charter Experience
Hi: For the last 5 year I have my Hunter 430 in charter with Sunsail. Although there are different arangements, the one that I had with Sunsail was that I paid for 50% of the boat and they paid the other 50% plus all expenses for 5 years. During the five years I have sailed an average of 5 weeks per year and did Bahammas, windward Islands, Leeward Islands, Tonga, Thialand, Whitsunday Islands, Turkey and Greece. I never had to pay Sunsail anything else and I have sold my boat for 9% more then the 50% I paid for it. I agree that this is not a great "investment" but for me it was ideal. I would do it again, except I am planning on spending 6 months a year on my new Hunter 450. I think that Sunsail is a good company to work with, although I am sure that some of the other companies, such as Moorings are also good.
Hi: For the last 5 year I have my Hunter 430 in charter with Sunsail. Although there are different arangements, the one that I had with Sunsail was that I paid for 50% of the boat and they paid the other 50% plus all expenses for 5 years. During the five years I have sailed an average of 5 weeks per year and did Bahammas, windward Islands, Leeward Islands, Tonga, Thialand, Whitsunday Islands, Turkey and Greece. I never had to pay Sunsail anything else and I have sold my boat for 9% more then the 50% I paid for it. I agree that this is not a great "investment" but for me it was ideal. I would do it again, except I am planning on spending 6 months a year on my new Hunter 450. I think that Sunsail is a good company to work with, although I am sure that some of the other companies, such as Moorings are also good.
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Arthur Boas
Best bad investment you can make
This makes no sense financially, and think of in terms of paying other people to sail your boat. HOWEVER, it gets you down south sailing, and you can't measure that in $.
This makes no sense financially, and think of in terms of paying other people to sail your boat. HOWEVER, it gets you down south sailing, and you can't measure that in $.
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Ed Schenck
Another view.
Dockmate charters his 31-footer. Since he works most weekends the boat gets fair usage. As of middle of August he had nearly paid for his yearly marina fees, probably close to $2500. The marina does his chartering. We are on a Great Lake. Is it worth $2500. to have other people using your boat?
Dockmate charters his 31-footer. Since he works most weekends the boat gets fair usage. As of middle of August he had nearly paid for his yearly marina fees, probably close to $2500. The marina does his chartering. We are on a Great Lake. Is it worth $2500. to have other people using your boat?
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Michael O'Hara
Another Approach
Although we're slipped at Bear Lake, Utah, I've had my H25 in the charter fleet of the Florida Sailing Charter Club for over a year. However, I don't really care if anyone ever rents it or not. Basically, I joined the FSCC for free (no "dues" if you place your boat in the charter fleet), and in return I get to charter the FSCC boats as well as boats in "reciprocal fleets" such as San Francisco, San Diego, the Caribean, etc. You might check out if they are getting any charter income for the boats they have listed in the Great Lakes. Certainly not the Moorings, but it works for me! And someday, someone might actually rent my boat for a day and I'll get a few bucks.... Then again, pigs may fly first. Michael O'
Although we're slipped at Bear Lake, Utah, I've had my H25 in the charter fleet of the Florida Sailing Charter Club for over a year. However, I don't really care if anyone ever rents it or not. Basically, I joined the FSCC for free (no "dues" if you place your boat in the charter fleet), and in return I get to charter the FSCC boats as well as boats in "reciprocal fleets" such as San Francisco, San Diego, the Caribean, etc. You might check out if they are getting any charter income for the boats they have listed in the Great Lakes. Certainly not the Moorings, but it works for me! And someday, someone might actually rent my boat for a day and I'll get a few bucks.... Then again, pigs may fly first. Michael O'
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RENATO
THANK YOU
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE VARIOUS OPINIONS. MY PERSONAL SITUATION IS I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO OWN A BOAT LIKE A H310 AND COVER ALL THE EXPENSES. CHARTER SEEMS LIKE THE WAY TO GET INTO SAILING AT ALL, SO I AM NOT SENSITIVE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE USING THE BOAT. MY PRIMARY CONCERN IS THE RELIABILITY OF THE REVENUE STREAM. SOUNDS FROM SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT IT'S REASONABLE. THANKS AGAIN
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE VARIOUS OPINIONS. MY PERSONAL SITUATION IS I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO OWN A BOAT LIKE A H310 AND COVER ALL THE EXPENSES. CHARTER SEEMS LIKE THE WAY TO GET INTO SAILING AT ALL, SO I AM NOT SENSITIVE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE USING THE BOAT. MY PRIMARY CONCERN IS THE RELIABILITY OF THE REVENUE STREAM. SOUNDS FROM SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT IT'S REASONABLE. THANKS AGAIN
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