I just couldn't sell her....

[jpcarter30]

Firstly, let me apologise as I haven't even visited this esteemed and noteworthy site since the 6th June! Not a sniff. My jobs been under threat for some time and I'm still not in the clear but there has been a slight improvement in my prospects so I'm feeling a little less blue than I was.

I doubt anyone will remember but the last time I posted I needed advice in getting the old girl up for sale and I duly went with some of the advice and put my Carter30 up for sale with the local broker. One reason being my dwindling employment prospects and another being that my two lads had very little interest in a life on the water unless it involved hours of doing nothing but playing PS3. My eldest had more interest but he is now stepping up his rugby playing to county level and can't give the time.

I was handed the form by the broker but I just couldn't fill it in as I didn't really want to and as each week passed with me still in employment I resisted the urge to hand it back at all. I'm pretty sure he sensed my reluctance. I'm now thinking of a plan to keep me on the water.

I sail, when I can, out of the Medway and my plan is to start by putting up a post on here to ask for a dependable character and lots of experience on the water (but without a boat) to run the boat with me and come along for days, week-ends, whatever and split the costs.Does it sound feasible?

Any sensible advice warmly appreciated.

 

[Searush]

Boat share is common, but most are run as syndicates where people buy a share in the boat & running costs. But I don't see any reason why an ad-hoc arrangement won't work, but you need to be able to trust each other & be completely open & honest about what each of you want/ dislike or can afford or not.

Good luck, Perhaps start as just sailing together for a while so you get to now each other better.

 

[Seajet]

Be very careful and try to get a legal agreement, cover insurance too, what if your new chum prangs the boat ? I found insurance surprisingly understanding when I lent my Carter 30 to friends, but do check.

The only boatshare I've undertaken was a cheap old sailing dinghy, with a friend I'd known for years and sailed thousands of miles with.

It soon became clear that he'd much rather I did a round trip of 90 miles to maintain / refit it ( and pay for all the paint & fittings ) than him walk 5 minutes up the road; fortunately we sold it on fairly quickly.

I suppose by that token it's no more risky going with a complete stranger, but do get a proper agreement, as to responsibilities, area sailed, conditions, any upcoming replacement of expensive kit like engines, sails etc, written and signed.

If this may be construed as a form of 'charter', check on coding regulations, could mean a lot of expense.

Hope it works out, job and boat !

 

[Topcat47]

I remember a book ("the art of coarse cruising perhaps?") in which Michael Green advised never to share a boat with a friend. Far better to do it with a sworn enemy as then, all the little niggles about whose turn it is to anti-foul, who pranged it, what sails to buy and what weekends you get only serve to feed any long standing grudges you have, rather than destroy an old and valued friendship.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

I have just recently formed a syndicate along with two sailing friends to buy a boat larger and finer than any of us could have afforded on our own. We spent a lot of time talking over our expectations and ambitions, the kind of boat we wanted, how we would operate her and where we wanted to sail in the short and long term. I'm not sure how a boat share without an ownership stake would work. I've also heard accounts of difficult relationships when a sole owner sells shares in order to reduce outgoings; sometimes the former sole owner will still think of it as 'his' boat and want to keep control rather than sharing it.

 

[jpcarter30]

Thanks very much for the helpful replies but please let me qualify.

I'm not looking for someone to 'share' the boat in terms of ownership. The boat is and will remain mine and mine only. I would like this future crew member to bring their wisdom, knowledge, experience and sailing abilities to my boat. They get time and company on the waves for free (though we may divvy up the cost of victuals, trips,etc.) and I get to pick their brain and build up my sailing confidence. That way there is a clear division of expectations.

My problem, I didn't explain it properly. Would that work better?

 

[chewi]

Thanks very much for the helpful replies but please let me qualify.

I'm not looking for someone to 'share' the boat in terms of ownership. The boat is and will remain mine and mine only. I would like this future crew member to bring their wisdom, knowledge, experience and sailing abilities to my boat. They get time and company on the waves for free (though we may divvy up the cost of victuals, trips,etc.) and I get to pick their brain and build up my sailing confidence. That way there is a clear division of expectations.

My problem, I didn't explain it properly. Would that work better?

Thats how I sail mine.
I have a sailing crew that has no ownership in the boat, but he gets his sailing, and repays me with maintenance effort & wisdom. It is symbiotic and it improves my sailing. Long may it last (and thanks Nick if you find this)

I buy all the gear, but we share fuel, berthing, victual costs etc.
If I want to buy a new toy for the boat its my decision & my money, so no conflict.

Mind you we've worked together for 20+ years so I know he can be trusted, so he's at liberty to use the boat without me.

I once shared with my family, In the end they owed me more in effort & maintenance costs than their share was worth, so I took it from them. That didn't work well.

I also know of another boat share, Their wildly different circumstances cause friction so they bicker while they sail. One wants new sails, another cant afford a repair. That doesn't work well either, so the boats upfor sale now.

You need to know your boat partner well, whatever your terms.

 

[jpcarter30]

Thanks for the comments. I feel how chewi does it should suit my circumstances,also. Anyhow I'll put a post together and see what comes from it.Thanks again.

 

[aquaholic]

Sounds like a great idea, are you a member of any of the local clubs? I know there are plenty of people who frequent these establishments looking for this kind of arrangement. Could be worth finding out.

 

[Babylon]

Glad you were unable to go through with selling your boat. I went through a similar quandary last autumn, but for very different reasons, and eventually decided to keep her. Now that the various molecules that make up my life are being blown to bits by a complex divorce, the boat is one of the few constants that still brings a spontaneous, unforced smile to my face.

In your quest for a crew-contributor, why not try the following:
- the Cruising Association crewing service
- putting a note up in (or joining) a local club (yacht and dinghy also - you never know)
- a notice (a la Tillman) in the Times, Telegraph, Independent, Evening Standard, local rag
- asking your local chandlers and/or putting up a notice there