In searching for used boats I came across listings posted by major charter companies that offer their 3-5 year old boats for sale at what appear to be attractive prices. I recognize that buying one of these vessels is equivalent to purchasing a former rental car, but I wanted to hear views from others as to whether this is a good or bad idea. For example, what implications does a purchase of a former charter boat have on future re-sale. Has anyone on this board purchased a former charter boat? Thanks.
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No experience, just a few thoughts
I use my boat about 36 days/year. Charter boats are used almost every day of the year in the Caribbean. That equals accelerated wear and tear. On the other hand, they get a weekly review by "professionals". These "professionals" want to keep these boats in good enough shape to bring back repeat business and generate good word-of-mouth advertizing. Boats in poor condition are bad for business. Everytime I have been in the islands on a charter (3) the boats have been in fair to good condition. I've seen some boats in my marina that are in a lot worse shape! As in any boat transaction, proceed with caution and hire a reputable surveyor. One small thing to keep in mind, Charter boats in the islands don't have holding tanks. If you plan on coastal cruising in the USA you will probably need to convert it. Tom s/v Orion's Child
I use my boat about 36 days/year. Charter boats are used almost every day of the year in the Caribbean. That equals accelerated wear and tear. On the other hand, they get a weekly review by "professionals". These "professionals" want to keep these boats in good enough shape to bring back repeat business and generate good word-of-mouth advertizing. Boats in poor condition are bad for business. Everytime I have been in the islands on a charter (3) the boats have been in fair to good condition. I've seen some boats in my marina that are in a lot worse shape! As in any boat transaction, proceed with caution and hire a reputable surveyor. One small thing to keep in mind, Charter boats in the islands don't have holding tanks. If you plan on coastal cruising in the USA you will probably need to convert it. Tom s/v Orion's Child
Abuse and neglect
is a reasonable summary of what charter boats get. They also have different types of refrigeration systems than "regular" owner-boats (holding plates instead of simpler 12V Adler Barbour type systems) which require engine running at least an hour or two a day. The "trained professionals" do what they have to do, not necessarily everything the boat needs. They most likely have only basic electrical systems, too, no high output alternator with new 3 stage regulators. The list goes on... Good observation in the prior post about use. They have recently been installing holding tanks in the BVIs, I've read. Your wallet, your choice.
is a reasonable summary of what charter boats get. They also have different types of refrigeration systems than "regular" owner-boats (holding plates instead of simpler 12V Adler Barbour type systems) which require engine running at least an hour or two a day. The "trained professionals" do what they have to do, not necessarily everything the boat needs. They most likely have only basic electrical systems, too, no high output alternator with new 3 stage regulators. The list goes on... Good observation in the prior post about use. They have recently been installing holding tanks in the BVIs, I've read. Your wallet, your choice.
Charter Boat Purchase
Do a google search on Florida yacht charters and look at Carolina Dreamer or Grand Child, These are both Hunter 410's.These are definitely not striped down boats or ill equipt so I am not sure about the other posts.
Do a google search on Florida yacht charters and look at Carolina Dreamer or Grand Child, These are both Hunter 410's.These are definitely not striped down boats or ill equipt so I am not sure about the other posts.
Cabin layouts
We have chartered boats from Moorings and Sunsail several times and at different locatons and have thought about buying a former charter boat. Their newer boats (3 to 5 yrs) appear to be in excellent shape considering the usage. To the best of my knowledge the Moorings and Sunsail boats are now all special charter boat editions built by different manufacturers to their specs. Hunter declined to play and so you don't seem them offered anymore. The biggest negative to us was finding one with a traditional single aft berth vs. two smaller seperate ones. We want comfort not a hotel. The charter companies' brochures show single aft berth models available but we have never found one available. The exception being the center cockpit models. There are other differences and if you bought one with the idea that you could resell it someday for the same price as a regular production boat or for profit is questionable. An experienced chaterboat surveyor may have the real answer.
We have chartered boats from Moorings and Sunsail several times and at different locatons and have thought about buying a former charter boat. Their newer boats (3 to 5 yrs) appear to be in excellent shape considering the usage. To the best of my knowledge the Moorings and Sunsail boats are now all special charter boat editions built by different manufacturers to their specs. Hunter declined to play and so you don't seem them offered anymore. The biggest negative to us was finding one with a traditional single aft berth vs. two smaller seperate ones. We want comfort not a hotel. The charter companies' brochures show single aft berth models available but we have never found one available. The exception being the center cockpit models. There are other differences and if you bought one with the idea that you could resell it someday for the same price as a regular production boat or for profit is questionable. An experienced chaterboat surveyor may have the real answer.
Purely from observation......
Most charter boats that I have seen, sit around A LOT. They are not used every day, or even close to that. They are checked on regularly and well maintained. As for use.....from what i saw in the Virgin Islands, they are rarely sailed. Usually just motored to the next waterfront bar. I lived within walking distance of Moorings in St. Thomas for about 6 months and hung out at the restaurant at the dock. I dont think that a used charter boat should be worth any more or less than if it were under private ownership and use, given the same age, condition, etc. I'm sure other people have observed it differently.
Most charter boats that I have seen, sit around A LOT. They are not used every day, or even close to that. They are checked on regularly and well maintained. As for use.....from what i saw in the Virgin Islands, they are rarely sailed. Usually just motored to the next waterfront bar. I lived within walking distance of Moorings in St. Thomas for about 6 months and hung out at the restaurant at the dock. I dont think that a used charter boat should be worth any more or less than if it were under private ownership and use, given the same age, condition, etc. I'm sure other people have observed it differently.
Price is right
If the price is right and it surveys well why not? Charter boats don't get that much use, usually less than 20 weeks a year. What does happen is that they're often chartered to folks that either don't know or don't care about proper boat handling. As a result, more wear and tear and possible damage from hard groundings. You really need a good surveyor. As an aside, I think the first tier companies make more in selling boats than chartering them. After three years or so the owner is out in the cold. Rick I B393 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beneteau393/ 393 group
If the price is right and it surveys well why not? Charter boats don't get that much use, usually less than 20 weeks a year. What does happen is that they're often chartered to folks that either don't know or don't care about proper boat handling. As a result, more wear and tear and possible damage from hard groundings. You really need a good surveyor. As an aside, I think the first tier companies make more in selling boats than chartering them. After three years or so the owner is out in the cold. Rick I B393 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beneteau393/ 393 group
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