myboatshare.com - anyone used them?

[mjcoon]

... One of my colleagues is looking to sign up to see how he gets on with sailing, ...

That suggests that the colleague is not already accredited, say with an ICC.

Which raises all the questions about liability. Presumably all the companies that offer these share schemes have to operate as if the boats are beng chartered, so they have to be coded and insured accordingly?

Mike.

 

[Sandyman]

Thanks for the PM Laura. Can't quite see why you've only removed part of my post and not the whole post:

To name & shame matey, that's why

PM what you were suggesting to do to the b*****s

 

[ColinO]

I too have been attempting to get my security deposit back from myboatshare.com for quite a period of time. I have started the usual proceedings but looks like I my may well join the list of disgruntled people attempting to get security deposits back. I have been sending the necessary papers to his "office address" at Ocean Village, but to no avail. I have another address for Mr Mallows in Hythe (Southampton) and will attempt through that address. Does anyone have any other address??? Thanks in advance.

BTW, the phrase Caveat emptor really comes to mind now!

 

[vertford]

I was on myboatshare twice last summer. First trip from the East Coast didn't really go to plan for several reasons. Re booked quickly on boat from Lymington and had a good week.

Our main issue was double checking everything had been left all ship shape and bristol fashion by previous hirers.

Sorry to hear about the problems people are having. Not sure if my skipper got his share back...

 

[QUASRA]

I looked at one of these boatshare companies last year but after research decided against it as they are prone to failure taking punters upfront payments with them.

There is a pretty standard pattern to these companies - big on marketing rhetoric, taking large deposits in advance for boats which never arrive - a complex company structure which allows the deposits to "disappear" and then finally they announce bankruptcy and ask the members to pay in even more to support a "new" company with the same owners.


While the prices appear attractive they assume full occupancy of each boat which is very rarely achieved. As a result the slots that they do sell never cover the costs of the boat and the return thats paid to the owner so the company gets more amd more indebted until it goes bust.

The basic business model is seriously flawed but the risk falls almost entirely on the members who have paid upfront. The owner still has his boat and the upfront payments ready to entice a new group of eager innocents.

Whats surprising is that regulators have not yet caught up with them and flagged the great risk that consumers face with these companies.

My sympathies to everyone who has lost money with them and my advice is steer well clear of them.

 

[Racecruiser]

No idea about the merits of these share schemes but the coverage here makes them look a bit iffy. Not wanting to turn down an opportunity and it is related .....

Two of us in a capital and running cost share on our lovely Elan 295 and we would like a similarly minded third. Racing (a good chunk of the JOG programme) and cruising. Warsash based. Well equiped and successful boat. PM me if this could be you ....

 

[oldrascal]

I too have been attempting to get my security deposit back from myboatshare.com for quite a period of time. I have started the usual proceedings but looks like I my may well join the list of disgruntled people attempting to get security deposits back. I have been sending the necessary papers to his "office address" at Ocean Village, but to no avail. I have another address for Mr Mallows in Hythe (Southampton) and will attempt through that address. Does anyone have any other address??? Thanks in advance.

BTW, the phrase Caveat emptor really comes to mind now!

About a week ago I posted a thread about the myboatshare.com website being active again but no-one picked up on it.

I wonder what those who were chasing the owner (viz. ColinO above) for refunds think about this new 'Phoenix'? There appear to be address and telephone numbers galore as well as an offer to visit.

 

[Steve Clayton]

Internet Information:

John Mallows
36 Scott-Paine Drive
Southampton SO45 6JB
02380879978
jmallows@jmallows.co.uk

http://companycheck.co.uk/company/07043134

 

[Ranworth breeze]

We have had a boat share since 2001 and have been happy over that period until last year when we had to call a EGM, the management company promised that there would be changes but we had to dispense with their services before the start of this season at the begining of March. Self management is the way to go and a number of syndicates have had to do this or look for another company since the Challenger wind up.

Regards
Alan Hood
Ranworth Breeze

 

[David Inglis]

We have looked at most of the boat share company's and I would have a look at Easy2Sail yacht share, their boats are in great condition, plus they had the best deal for your money that we could find and what a lovely bunch of chaps