Question for those of you that own your own sailboat. What's the benefit to you of owning your own sailboat when you can just charter one wherever you go if you're ASA certified? Wouldn't it save you money in the long run or is that not the point?
- Status
Right ...
I'll just go over to the local Moorings charter office on Lake Hopatcong and take my choice of models out for a daysail anytime I choose!
I'll just go over to the local Moorings charter office on Lake Hopatcong and take my choice of models out for a daysail anytime I choose!
cost/time
cost and time in the long run. If I only wanted to sail one or two weeks a year, yeah, chartering a sailboat in an exotic local would be good. BUT...sailing my boat over 150 days per year, having the ability to go whereever and whenever I wanted to go at any time of the day is the reason I have my own boat. Even then, I STILL have chartered a boat and will in the future as well. My boat is my way of forgetting about all the crap that goes on during the day...winter....or whenever I'm not on my boat. It is part of me. It is what I look foward to EVERY DAY of my life. My boat has been out of the water for 4 days now, and all I can think about is the day next April when I can again hoist the sails and sail away....... I hope that answes your question (in a roundabout way) Mike C. O'Day 28 "Da Capo"
cost and time in the long run. If I only wanted to sail one or two weeks a year, yeah, chartering a sailboat in an exotic local would be good. BUT...sailing my boat over 150 days per year, having the ability to go whereever and whenever I wanted to go at any time of the day is the reason I have my own boat. Even then, I STILL have chartered a boat and will in the future as well. My boat is my way of forgetting about all the crap that goes on during the day...winter....or whenever I'm not on my boat. It is part of me. It is what I look foward to EVERY DAY of my life. My boat has been out of the water for 4 days now, and all I can think about is the day next April when I can again hoist the sails and sail away....... I hope that answes your question (in a roundabout way) Mike C. O'Day 28 "Da Capo"
There's no place like home.
When I need to start looking at time and cost I'm sure my wife will have easily noticed before I. There's is alot to be said for your own place , your own stuff and your own head. But, saying that , I'd still love a chance to charter once a year in the BVI
When I need to start looking at time and cost I'm sure my wife will have easily noticed before I. There's is alot to be said for your own place , your own stuff and your own head. But, saying that , I'd still love a chance to charter once a year in the BVI
Why not rent your house too
We only get a 5 month season up here. I sailed every weekend but one. I used the boat as others would use a cabin. I even sailed after work then commuted a few times. I have my boat the way I like it and more importantly I am able to add the things the Admiral likes. Owning a boat is not just about sailing it. It is a hobby and a commitment. I can still take off and charter in some sunny place when the snow is 3 ft deep at home. My 2 cents worth. Fair winds
We only get a 5 month season up here. I sailed every weekend but one. I used the boat as others would use a cabin. I even sailed after work then commuted a few times. I have my boat the way I like it and more importantly I am able to add the things the Admiral likes. Owning a boat is not just about sailing it. It is a hobby and a commitment. I can still take off and charter in some sunny place when the snow is 3 ft deep at home. My 2 cents worth. Fair winds
It's Therapy to Own Your Own
I like owning a boat. If I didn't like the responsibility of owning my own, I could pay the $6000-$7000 to charter a couple of times and also use the vacation time and pay the flight expense to get there.
Or I could have the boat to work on, sail weekends, meet friends and do all that marina stuff. As they say..."Whatever floats Your Boat!" As far as "Certified to Charter". I don't know anybody who is. It seems to be a school set up by charter companies to make more money. I have never been asked by a charter company if I am "Certified". And I have skippered 3 of 6 times I have been to the islands in the past (and co-skippered once).
I like owning a boat. If I didn't like the responsibility of owning my own, I could pay the $6000-$7000 to charter a couple of times and also use the vacation time and pay the flight expense to get there.
Or I could have the boat to work on, sail weekends, meet friends and do all that marina stuff. As they say..."Whatever floats Your Boat!" As far as "Certified to Charter". I don't know anybody who is. It seems to be a school set up by charter companies to make more money. I have never been asked by a charter company if I am "Certified". And I have skippered 3 of 6 times I have been to the islands in the past (and co-skippered once).
Chartering - the oldest profession?
The same question can be asked about marraige. But, just ask a happily married person and you are likely to be told that it is not only about sex (which can be chartered). Boat ownership in not just about the cost of sailing in dollars per hour either.
The same question can be asked about marraige. But, just ask a happily married person and you are likely to be told that it is not only about sex (which can be chartered). Boat ownership in not just about the cost of sailing in dollars per hour either.
Very subjective question ...
and answer. I owned my own boats years ago, and then went boatless for a long period of time. I filled this void by chartering in a lot of different and interesting places, on lots of interesting boats. Sure, it was fun and cost a lot less (in terms of both money and time), but it was not like owning your own boat. I guess a lot depends on what you want out of sailing. During my chartering period, I was a workaholic who really didn't have the necessary time to own, maintain, and sail my own boat. Then I got smart (smile) and decided to taper off my work schedule and to sail more. Then I began owning boats again. I really like the idea that I can go out to my boat and work on it or sail it anytime I like. You can't do that if don't own a boat and want to charter. Nowadays, there are some sailing clubs that sort of come close to giving you that flexibility and they may make some sense for some. But knowing your own boat is just sitting there, waiting for you to jump aboard, where everything and every characteristic is familiar, is a feeling that nothing compares to in terms of happiness and satisfaction for there ".... is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about (in your own) boats."
and answer. I owned my own boats years ago, and then went boatless for a long period of time. I filled this void by chartering in a lot of different and interesting places, on lots of interesting boats. Sure, it was fun and cost a lot less (in terms of both money and time), but it was not like owning your own boat. I guess a lot depends on what you want out of sailing. During my chartering period, I was a workaholic who really didn't have the necessary time to own, maintain, and sail my own boat. Then I got smart (smile) and decided to taper off my work schedule and to sail more. Then I began owning boats again. I really like the idea that I can go out to my boat and work on it or sail it anytime I like. You can't do that if don't own a boat and want to charter. Nowadays, there are some sailing clubs that sort of come close to giving you that flexibility and they may make some sense for some. But knowing your own boat is just sitting there, waiting for you to jump aboard, where everything and every characteristic is familiar, is a feeling that nothing compares to in terms of happiness and satisfaction for there ".... is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about (in your own) boats."
I agree with sailortonyb
If you have to ask this question you will never understand boat ownership or sailing for that matter. The point is owning and sailing YOUR OWN boat. Nothing more satisfying. Rick I B393 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beneteau393/ 393 group
If you have to ask this question you will never understand boat ownership or sailing for that matter. The point is owning and sailing YOUR OWN boat. Nothing more satisfying. Rick I B393 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beneteau393/ 393 group
Another View
In our part of the world, you can't show up at the charter dock and say I want to charter a boat for a week (except in the dead of winter perhaps). You must book in advance, usually several weeks and sometimes months and pay a substantial deposit. My line of work is quite unpredictable very far in advance. If it turns out when it is time to take the charter I could be working (I charge by the hour), the charter can be very expensive when you consider lost billings or you give up your deposit. With my own boat, I am much more flexible. First, if a gap in my schedule emerges, I drop everything and go sailing. If I have planned to go sailing and something comes up at work at the last minute, I postpone sailing for as long as necessary. If something comes up at work while I am sailing, I cut the sailing trip short. When you consider lost or gained business revenue, boat ownerhip is less expensive than chartering. Now that I am on the verge of retiring, I'll have to find some other way to rationalize boat ownership. Peter Milne S/V Blue Heron
In our part of the world, you can't show up at the charter dock and say I want to charter a boat for a week (except in the dead of winter perhaps). You must book in advance, usually several weeks and sometimes months and pay a substantial deposit. My line of work is quite unpredictable very far in advance. If it turns out when it is time to take the charter I could be working (I charge by the hour), the charter can be very expensive when you consider lost billings or you give up your deposit. With my own boat, I am much more flexible. First, if a gap in my schedule emerges, I drop everything and go sailing. If I have planned to go sailing and something comes up at work at the last minute, I postpone sailing for as long as necessary. If something comes up at work while I am sailing, I cut the sailing trip short. When you consider lost or gained business revenue, boat ownerhip is less expensive than chartering. Now that I am on the verge of retiring, I'll have to find some other way to rationalize boat ownership. Peter Milne S/V Blue Heron
Sailtime.......
I am not too up on this one, but I know Hunter Marine offers "Sailtime" which is basically a time share sailboat. You pay a monthly fee that allows you so many days per month to use the boat. The company maintains the vessel, cleans it, preps it for your use and everything is included down to the sheets and silverware. I have heard the cost is somewhere in the high $200 range per month depending on the days of the month and location selected. The vessels are the new 32's or 34's. Here at Lake Lanier, GA they have several vessels in the fleet. They show a new boat at major boat shows. I am not sure if a long term contract is required, but worth looking into if your the kind of person who goes for this stuff. Is this a good alternative to ownership? Probably for many when you consider payments, dock fees, maintenance, etc. Consider the purchase of a used vessel in the 35K-40K range. Add, anywhere from 1.5 k to 2.5K per year in dockage and maintenance, and you have a whole lot of money out there. BUT.....like most sailors the pride of ownership, knowing she's all yours and also knowing that when selling the hit will not be bad, its easily justified. Good luck in your decision Bob Catalina 30
I am not too up on this one, but I know Hunter Marine offers "Sailtime" which is basically a time share sailboat. You pay a monthly fee that allows you so many days per month to use the boat. The company maintains the vessel, cleans it, preps it for your use and everything is included down to the sheets and silverware. I have heard the cost is somewhere in the high $200 range per month depending on the days of the month and location selected. The vessels are the new 32's or 34's. Here at Lake Lanier, GA they have several vessels in the fleet. They show a new boat at major boat shows. I am not sure if a long term contract is required, but worth looking into if your the kind of person who goes for this stuff. Is this a good alternative to ownership? Probably for many when you consider payments, dock fees, maintenance, etc. Consider the purchase of a used vessel in the 35K-40K range. Add, anywhere from 1.5 k to 2.5K per year in dockage and maintenance, and you have a whole lot of money out there. BUT.....like most sailors the pride of ownership, knowing she's all yours and also knowing that when selling the hit will not be bad, its easily justified. Good luck in your decision Bob Catalina 30
JB
If you are actually listening....you are asking the wrong people. Those on this site care for their boats and have a passion for it. Most here can't go two weeks without visiting their boat. Some here have hopes of doing some serious cruising someday. These people need to own a boat and it is cheaper in the long rung. However, we are the minority...say 20%. A good 80% of boats don't go out but a couple times a year. For then it is definately cheaper to charter. Sad thing is, the boats that get chartered get all beat up. Just this weekend I saw a 39' boat pull into a 30' slip and slam into the dock. I should have known the boat was a charter...the hull was all scraped up and no wax for years. Very ugly looking. Sad...just sad.
If you are actually listening....you are asking the wrong people. Those on this site care for their boats and have a passion for it. Most here can't go two weeks without visiting their boat. Some here have hopes of doing some serious cruising someday. These people need to own a boat and it is cheaper in the long rung. However, we are the minority...say 20%. A good 80% of boats don't go out but a couple times a year. For then it is definately cheaper to charter. Sad thing is, the boats that get chartered get all beat up. Just this weekend I saw a 39' boat pull into a 30' slip and slam into the dock. I should have known the boat was a charter...the hull was all scraped up and no wax for years. Very ugly looking. Sad...just sad.
If you buy a car...
based on the Consumer Reports review, then it probably makes sense to charter all the time (if you don't get out much.) Years ago my best friend and I would charter a boat for a couple of long weekends every year and sail the Chesapeake Bay. There was no way we could have afforded to keep a similar boat there all year for the same money, and because we couldn't get away too often, it made sense. Now I keep my boat on a lake an hour away from home and sail once or twice a week - that would be much too expensive if I was chartering. Plus I can tweak away and tune her to my heart's content, and if we do well in a race, it's MY boat that did it.
based on the Consumer Reports review, then it probably makes sense to charter all the time (if you don't get out much.) Years ago my best friend and I would charter a boat for a couple of long weekends every year and sail the Chesapeake Bay. There was no way we could have afforded to keep a similar boat there all year for the same money, and because we couldn't get away too often, it made sense. Now I keep my boat on a lake an hour away from home and sail once or twice a week - that would be much too expensive if I was chartering. Plus I can tweak away and tune her to my heart's content, and if we do well in a race, it's MY boat that did it.
Totally Illogical Owners Club
For most of us, there is no rational explanation. Reasons, sure. 1. I can sail anytime I want(except most of the time, when I am busy doing other stuff). 2. I know the maintenance is done to my standards(which may be a good thing) 3. Charters aren't always as advertised. 4. Charters are too nice and that makes me worry about dock rash and other disasters. 5. I don't really need to leave any money to me children or charity. 6. Shopping for a needed item (you name it) is retail; therapy at its finest. 7. It opens up a whole world of expensive items I never knew I needed until I bought a boat. 8. Varnishing is good therapy. 9. Not varnishing is a statement about personal freedom. 10. Old boats need and deserve love. Even my spousal unit thinks this makes sense. FYI I've chartered at three different locations, and enjoyed it, and will do it again. But there's nothing better than messing around your own boat. My 80 year old neighbor almost cried when he finally sold his. He spent the last several years juist dropping by for a drink on deck, and to check things out. And he enjoyed that too. S. s/v/ Good News
For most of us, there is no rational explanation. Reasons, sure. 1. I can sail anytime I want(except most of the time, when I am busy doing other stuff). 2. I know the maintenance is done to my standards(which may be a good thing) 3. Charters aren't always as advertised. 4. Charters are too nice and that makes me worry about dock rash and other disasters. 5. I don't really need to leave any money to me children or charity. 6. Shopping for a needed item (you name it) is retail; therapy at its finest. 7. It opens up a whole world of expensive items I never knew I needed until I bought a boat. 8. Varnishing is good therapy. 9. Not varnishing is a statement about personal freedom. 10. Old boats need and deserve love. Even my spousal unit thinks this makes sense. FYI I've chartered at three different locations, and enjoyed it, and will do it again. But there's nothing better than messing around your own boat. My 80 year old neighbor almost cried when he finally sold his. He spent the last several years juist dropping by for a drink on deck, and to check things out. And he enjoyed that too. S. s/v/ Good News
I use to charter for years.....
If you want to use the a boat a few times a year, don't know if you are going to be doing this for a long time, have limited funds...charter. If you want to use it as an escape, to meet people, create a new type of lifestyle, enjoy life, have the freedom to just say "I am going to the boat today to to read a book, talk to my neighbor, sail, or relax", or have something to do on days off...then there is nothing in the world like owning your boat. If you have to ask the question to begin with....then you really don't understan what I (we) are getting at and you should just stick with chartering. abe
If you want to use the a boat a few times a year, don't know if you are going to be doing this for a long time, have limited funds...charter. If you want to use it as an escape, to meet people, create a new type of lifestyle, enjoy life, have the freedom to just say "I am going to the boat today to to read a book, talk to my neighbor, sail, or relax", or have something to do on days off...then there is nothing in the world like owning your boat. If you have to ask the question to begin with....then you really don't understan what I (we) are getting at and you should just stick with chartering. abe
One last thing...my biggest fear is when I get so
old I can't sail any more. Oh, well they say you go from sail boats, to motor boats, to motor homes, to nursing homes. abe
old I can't sail any more. Oh, well they say you go from sail boats, to motor boats, to motor homes, to nursing homes. abe
Here's why
`Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Simply messing,' he went on dreamily: `messing -- about -- in -- boats; messing -- -- ' ... ` -- about in boats -- or with boats,' ... `In or out of 'em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don't; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you're always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you've done it there's always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you'd much better not. --Grahame, Kenneth. The Wind in the Willows If you charter, someone else has been messing about with the boat and you've missed half the fun!
`Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Simply messing,' he went on dreamily: `messing -- about -- in -- boats; messing -- -- ' ... ` -- about in boats -- or with boats,' ... `In or out of 'em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don't; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you're always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you've done it there's always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you'd much better not. --Grahame, Kenneth. The Wind in the Willows If you charter, someone else has been messing about with the boat and you've missed half the fun!
- Status