Is Starting a Fractional Boat a Good Idea?

Stu Jackson · Dec 30, 2007

Maintenance on my golf clubs and the wear and

tear on the golf balls were getting to me and my budget.So, I took up sailing, It's less expensive and you don't have to talk to so many people when you're out on the course. Of course, there's the 19th hole vs the Yacht Club bar, but, heck, that's almost the same thing...

Stu Jackson · Dec 30, 2007

Maintenance on my golf clubs and the wear and

tear on the golf balls were getting to me and my budget.So, I took up sailing, It's less expensive and you don't have to talk to so many people when you're out on the course. Of course, there's the 19th hole vs the Yacht Club bar, but, heck, that's almost the same thing...

Stu Jackson · Dec 30, 2007

..and then there was the guy

who asked where in FL he could hitch up his boat close to a golf course...(Sorry to the regular poster here who did that, but I just couldn't resist...)

Stu Jackson · Dec 30, 2007

..and then there was the guy

who asked where in FL he could hitch up his boat close to a golf course...(Sorry to the regular poster here who did that, but I just couldn't resist...)

Brian M H23 · Dec 30, 2007

Comment on the trailer vehicle

Now, I know you really want a bigger boat. But here's a little eye-opener about the trailer vehicle - they're not that expensive. You aren't driving this thing 15,000 miles a year - an older truck that only gets 9 mpg doesnt hurt you very much, if you look at all the miles. Insurance costs will be minimal (in fact, when I added the truck as a second vehicle in addition to my MR2, my annual rate went DOWN!) And nobody wants these gashogs anymore - a good deal can be found for $2000, and are probably as depriciated as they will ever be.

Brian M H23 · Dec 30, 2007

Comment on the trailer vehicle

Now, I know you really want a bigger boat. But here's a little eye-opener about the trailer vehicle - they're not that expensive. You aren't driving this thing 15,000 miles a year - an older truck that only gets 9 mpg doesnt hurt you very much, if you look at all the miles. Insurance costs will be minimal (in fact, when I added the truck as a second vehicle in addition to my MR2, my annual rate went DOWN!) And nobody wants these gashogs anymore - a good deal can be found for $2000, and are probably as depriciated as they will ever be.

David11054 · Dec 30, 2007

Hunter Sailtime

Sailtime at the link below is Hunter's fractional owner deal. It's available in Racine Wisconsin if you are interested. These are for new Hunters in popular lengths, sharing with seven others.You seem to have checked out some fractional deals already. What were the prices?DavidLady Lillie

David11054 · Dec 30, 2007

Hunter Sailtime

Sailtime at the link below is Hunter's fractional owner deal. It's available in Racine Wisconsin if you are interested. These are for new Hunters in popular lengths, sharing with seven others.You seem to have checked out some fractional deals already. What were the prices?DavidLady Lillie

seadaddler · Dec 30, 2007

I vote sailtime

I think Golf and sailing are both addictive for sure.I just spent three weeks down in Florida in my 55 and overcommunity and all my neighbors talk about is getting up every morning to play golf and how we should get into golf.I told them I own a sailboat and won't have time for golf buttake my wife and see if she likes it and I'll going sailing andmaybe give it a shot if I have time.I don't see how you can do both,own a boat and golf.I spent some time in mystic this past summer and talked to somepeople who were Sailtime members and all said it was good for them.The boats were 33 and 36 new hunters,some were trying out the boats to see if they really like sailing before buying.Some did not have the time to own their own boat but this gave them time to enjoy a vacation on a sailboat a few times a year with out the commitment of time and $$$ to own a bigger sailboat.I would check out sailtime if you can first.Nick

seadaddler · Dec 30, 2007

I vote sailtime

I think Golf and sailing are both addictive for sure.I just spent three weeks down in Florida in my 55 and overcommunity and all my neighbors talk about is getting up every morning to play golf and how we should get into golf.I told them I own a sailboat and won't have time for golf buttake my wife and see if she likes it and I'll going sailing andmaybe give it a shot if I have time.I don't see how you can do both,own a boat and golf.I spent some time in mystic this past summer and talked to somepeople who were Sailtime members and all said it was good for them.The boats were 33 and 36 new hunters,some were trying out the boats to see if they really like sailing before buying.Some did not have the time to own their own boat but this gave them time to enjoy a vacation on a sailboat a few times a year with out the commitment of time and $$$ to own a bigger sailboat.I would check out sailtime if you can first.Nick

David11054 · Dec 31, 2007

Advantages of chartering

We own a 27 footer in Sandusky Bay on Lake Erie. We have no conflicts, and spend 25 to 60 nights a summer on Lady Lillie.But we also charter for a week a year, most years. Here are the advantages I see in chartering for you:- You are not limited to just Door County! You can charter (as we have) in the North Channel, the Apostles of Lake Superior, and the Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River. Or you can range farther afield to the San Juans, Florida, or the Virgins, by car or plane.- You can get just the size boat you want, moving up as the family needs or wants more room.- You can try different models and makers, building solid ideas if the time comes when you do want to buy - as a fractional owner or your own boat.- As others have said, don't underestimate the amounts of time and money you will spend as the owner of a boat. A recent article in Good Old Boat pointed out that in their 10 years of cruising full time, the costs of owning and maintaining a boat tripled for 10 more feet. And deciding who will carry the time load involved will put real stress on any ad-hoc shared ownership.- Chartering is a short term commitment. Try it for a couple of years and mix in the Apostles or North Channel. Then decide what you want to do.DavidLady Lillie

David11054 · Dec 31, 2007

Advantages of chartering

We own a 27 footer in Sandusky Bay on Lake Erie. We have no conflicts, and spend 25 to 60 nights a summer on Lady Lillie.But we also charter for a week a year, most years. Here are the advantages I see in chartering for you:- You are not limited to just Door County! You can charter (as we have) in the North Channel, the Apostles of Lake Superior, and the Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River. Or you can range farther afield to the San Juans, Florida, or the Virgins, by car or plane.- You can get just the size boat you want, moving up as the family needs or wants more room.- You can try different models and makers, building solid ideas if the time comes when you do want to buy - as a fractional owner or your own boat.- As others have said, don't underestimate the amounts of time and money you will spend as the owner of a boat. A recent article in Good Old Boat pointed out that in their 10 years of cruising full time, the costs of owning and maintaining a boat tripled for 10 more feet. And deciding who will carry the time load involved will put real stress on any ad-hoc shared ownership.- Chartering is a short term commitment. Try it for a couple of years and mix in the Apostles or North Channel. Then decide what you want to do.DavidLady Lillie

Maine Sail · Dec 31, 2007

Here's a break down of this season

Here's a break down of this season's expenses as best as I can remember for my 36 footer. Everything marked with DIY I did myself. If you don't DIY you can triple or quadruple most of those amounts.Replaced standing rigging and furler (DIY) (every ten years): $3656.00+replaced luff tape on genoa and did a re-stitch: $440.00Replaced anchor roller (DIY): $275.00Trouble soot temp issue and fix (DIY): $130.00Mooring maintenance - new chain: $700.00Mooring fee to town $200.00Yacht Club fee $900.00Insurance: $1244.00Replaced mainsheet blocks (DIY) $320.00Replaced battery wire (DIY) $385.00Engine Maintenance oil, filters, fuids, zincs, witerising (DIY): $285.00replaced prop shaft/coupling and had prop reconditioned: $1008.00Replaced output shaft seal in transmission: $1056.00Replaced zippers on bimini and dodger: $231.00Replaced batteries (DIY): $340.00Replaced main halyard including splice and snap shackle: $175.00 replaced seacocks/hoses (DIY): $645.00Replaced autopilot (DIY): $1000.00+Bottom paint 2 gal (DIY): $355.00I could keep going but this should give you an idea of what CAN and WILL come up in the average year of owning a boat. I had a lot more that I did than what you see above and my boat is considered to be in pristine & bristol condition...

Maine Sail · Dec 31, 2007

Here's a break down of this season

Here's a break down of this season's expenses as best as I can remember for my 36 footer. Everything marked with DIY I did myself. If you don't DIY you can triple or quadruple most of those amounts.Replaced standing rigging and furler (DIY) (every ten years): $3656.00+replaced luff tape on genoa and did a re-stitch: $440.00Replaced anchor roller (DIY): $275.00Trouble soot temp issue and fix (DIY): $130.00Mooring maintenance - new chain: $700.00Mooring fee to town $200.00Yacht Club fee $900.00Insurance: $1244.00Replaced mainsheet blocks (DIY) $320.00Replaced battery wire (DIY) $385.00Engine Maintenance oil, filters, fuids, zincs, witerising (DIY): $285.00replaced prop shaft/coupling and had prop reconditioned: $1008.00Replaced output shaft seal in transmission: $1056.00Replaced zippers on bimini and dodger: $231.00Replaced batteries (DIY): $340.00Replaced main halyard including splice and snap shackle: $175.00 replaced seacocks/hoses (DIY): $645.00Replaced autopilot (DIY): $1000.00+Bottom paint 2 gal (DIY): $355.00I could keep going but this should give you an idea of what CAN and WILL come up in the average year of owning a boat. I had a lot more that I did than what you see above and my boat is considered to be in pristine & bristol condition...

NautiDuck · Dec 31, 2007

Easy solution

Give up golf.Really, you can't have two serious, time consuming hobbies at the same time. You say your kids love the boating. Do they love golf? Do what is best for the whole family. You can come back to golf later.

NautiDuck · Dec 31, 2007

Easy solution

Give up golf.Really, you can't have two serious, time consuming hobbies at the same time. You say your kids love the boating. Do they love golf? Do what is best for the whole family. You can come back to golf later.

bffatcat · Dec 31, 2007

My 2c

Im doin it on the cheap.I have a P26W which Ive owned for 8 years. Ive kept the boat systems simple and do all the maintenence myself. Ive got my own trailerand I trail the boat from my driveway to the yard where they launch & haul it,Mooring, Yacht club and other expenses average $2500 a year. I use the boat mainly for day sailing and weekend overnighting. Its a little small for an extended cruise. It suits me fine. If I want to take longer cruise I can charter a bigger boat. As far as golf is concerned I dont playneither do the people I sail with. Why waste a good breeze to stand out on a golfcourse.

bffatcat · Dec 31, 2007

My 2c

Im doin it on the cheap.I have a P26W which Ive owned for 8 years. Ive kept the boat systems simple and do all the maintenence myself. Ive got my own trailerand I trail the boat from my driveway to the yard where they launch & haul it,Mooring, Yacht club and other expenses average $2500 a year. I use the boat mainly for day sailing and weekend overnighting. Its a little small for an extended cruise. It suits me fine. If I want to take longer cruise I can charter a bigger boat. As far as golf is concerned I dont playneither do the people I sail with. Why waste a good breeze to stand out on a golfcourse.