myboatshare.com - anyone used them?

[mjkinch1]

Hi

Has anyone signed up with myboatshare.com? Just wondered how you found it and if it works as well as they say?

"Being a myBoatshare.com member is the easiest and most cost effective way of enjoying sailing without having to own a boat or pay for expensive charter use. From just £399 a month you have the use of a modern 31ft to 39ft sailing yacht for 49 Full Days a year - just as if you owned a 1/7th share of the boat"

One of my colleagues is looking to sign up to see how he gets on with sailing, and this seems a pretty good deal to do prior to any purchase. Shame they don't do something similar for Motor boats as well.

Any feedback really appreciated.

Thanks

Martyn

 

[flaming]

They're not the only people doing it. Similar things are being done by sailtime, pure latitude and the harbour club (mobos) to mention a few.
Some of them tie you in to one boat, but the more interesting ones (to my eyes) are the ones where the money buys you "points" which can be used against any of their fleet. Meaning you can vary the size and type of boat depending on how many crew you have coming.

 

[mjkinch1]

Thanks - I will google the others as well. The disadvantage I can see is that days are allocated on a first come first served basis, so unless you are quick it is likely all the school hoildays will go very quickly!

 

[seanfoster]

I sent them an email enquiry about 6 months ago and never got a response!

 

[fireball]

they probably credit checked you first!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[landlockedpirate]

[ QUOTE ]
Shame they don't do something similar for Motor boats as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's a company been advertising on Ebay for a while now. I think its called Seawake Boat club, based in Wales. Costs about £200 a month but I dont think they have many boats at the moment.

 

[gam1961]

We were members for one year and I have to say, it's a great scheme. That's the good news, the bad news is that I am having to take them to the small claims court to get my security deposit back so my advice would be talk to Flexsail or Sailtime.

 

[petedog]

And now ceased trading

I agree - a great scheme and used it for just over a year. Sadly it ceased trading yesterday....now I just need to get my deposit back.

 

[Talulah]

I agree - a great scheme and used it for just over a year. Sadly it ceased trading yesterday....now I just need to get my deposit back.

That's a shame. I often see the boats around the Solent and they appear such a cheerful bunch.
Hopefully some of the owners may be able to continue independently by having arrangements directly with the clients. It could still work out for some.

 

[alphaone]

Me too but I've been chasing since last April and it now looks like there is no chance of any deposits being returned

 

[Fenders]

I joined a similar scheme several years ago. It was a new start up "fractional" boat share.
There were many promises made to the initial start up members but the services we had paid for we're never delivered. The company was broke inside of 6 months.
I personally lost about 2k but others paid considerably more.

Just be careful, especially in the current climate.

Once bitten, twice shy.

 

[PhillM]

We looked into Sailtime and myboatshare.com at 2010 SIBS. We came to the conclusion that owning a smaller boat was about the same cost per year and we could then sail anytime.

I came to the conclusion that the fractional ownership schemes were better for people who used to own a boat and for one reason or another wanted to get rid of the maintainence etc.

myboatshare.com made a big play that for £500 they would teach all the family to handle one of their larger boats. Having now owned our own for a year, I am glad that I am learning on a smaller / cheaper boat and if I make a mistake it is withmy own propertly with only myself to blame and answer to (unless of course I hit somone else - which hasent happend and hopefully won't). Personally, I think they under-play the experence needed to do the things they promote that you can do.

 

[Steve Clayton]

I agree - a great scheme and used it for just over a year. Sadly it ceased trading yesterday....now I just need to get my deposit back.

If I was in that position then I would look to identifying [removed] Consequences - I wouldn't care

 

[lufc71]

...my advice would be talk to Flexsail or Sailtime.

Googled both and found the forum for Sailtime (I'll join and check them out) but nothing for Flexsail (or Flex Sail or Flex-sail). Do you have a URL for them, or have you got the name incorrect?

 

[Supine Being]

We looked into Sailtime and myboatshare.com at 2010 SIBS. We came to the conclusion that owning a smaller boat was about the same cost per year and we could then sail anytime.

I came to the conclusion that the fractional ownership schemes were better for people who used to own a boat and for one reason or another wanted to get rid of the maintainence etc.

myboatshare.com made a big play that for £500 they would teach all the family to handle one of their larger boats. Having now owned our own for a year, I am glad that I am learning on a smaller / cheaper boat and if I make a mistake it is withmy own propertly with only myself to blame and answer to (unless of course I hit somone else - which hasent happend and hopefully won't). Personally, I think they under-play the experence needed to do the things they promote that you can do.

I came to similar conclusions to you. In fact, I believe that I spend much less as an owner than I would as a member. If you want to get on the water occasionally in a nice, new, pristine Benny or equivalent and not have the hassle and expense of owning something similar, then the fractionals are worth a look. If, on the other hand, you just want to get on the water cheaply and start building miles and experience, then you are better off buying something that suits your pocket. It won't be as large, shiny and well-equipped as the boat you would have got through Sailtime etc., but it will be cheaper, it will be yours, and you can use it whenever you like. And, if you ever want to trade up to something larger, you have some equity in the boat to carry forward to the next purchase.

 

[Supine Being]

Googled both and found the forum for Sailtime (I'll join and check them out) but nothing for Flexsail (or Flex Sail or Flex-sail). Do you have a URL for them, or have you got the name incorrect?

It's these guys: www.flexisail.com. I think they are an ex-Sailtime franchise that broker away. Also, for something slightly different if you really want to go this route, you could look at these guys www.purelatitude.com/

 

[Laura Nineham]

If I was in that position then I would look to identifying [removed] Consequences - I wouldn't care

I have removed this because we received complaints from users who felt it was inciting criminal activity.

 

[Steve Clayton]

I have removed this because we received complaints from users who felt it was inciting criminal activity.

Thanks for the PM Laura. Can't quite see why you've only removed part of my post and not the whole post; but hey-ho: it's your ball

 

[rotrax]

Hi

Has anyone signed up with myboatshare.com? Just wondered how you found it and if it works as well as they say?

"Being a myBoatshare.com member is the easiest and most cost effective way of enjoying sailing without having to own a boat or pay for expensive charter use. From just £399 a month you have the use of a modern 31ft to 39ft sailing yacht for 49 Full Days a year - just as if you owned a 1/7th share of the boat"

One of my colleagues is looking to sign up to see how he gets on with sailing, and this seems a pretty good deal to do prior to any purchase. Shame they don't do something similar for Motor boats as well.

Any feedback really appreciated.

Thanks

Martyn

These shcemes work very well for some,not for others. As a previous poster said some go down the tubes without delivering. I started my boat owning career with a third share in a modest boat. Got in for £5K with annual costs about £800.00. You may find a similar deal. Even if you had to borrow the capital I feel the costs would be less and apart from having an older boat you would probably get your sailing at more convenient times. One Third and One Quarter shares in the solent are often available. You can meet and discuss you likely use with the co-owners before laying out your dosh so you will have a good idea of how it will work. Worth considering in my view-it worked very well for First Mate and I.

 

[gam1961]

I think it's criminal that Mr Mallows and his MyBoatshare.com have walked off with thousands of pounds worth of deposits but hey, let's make sure he get's protected. BTW, does anyone know where he is as I would like to talk to him about the £2k he owes me.