"Owners" vs "charter" version

[cmedsailor]

I have really never understood this “classification”. It sounds as the “charter” version is inferior to the “owners”. Who decided to call them like this and why (just the fact that you need more cabins for chartering is really not an excuse)? I have two kids therefore need two cabins at the aft. Why then my boat is the “charter” version and not the “family” version?

 

[sailorman]

I have really never understood this “classification”. It sounds as the “charter” version is inferior to the “owners”. Who decided to call them like this and why (just the fact that you need more cabins for chartering is really not an excuse)? I have two kids therefore need two cabins at the aft. Why then my boat is the “charter” version and not the “family” version?

Charter = More berths

 

[macd]

I have really never understood this “classification”. It sounds as the “charter” version is inferior to the “owners”. Who decided to call them like this and why (just the fact that you need more cabins for chartering is really not an excuse)? I have two unruly mates therefore need two cabins at the aft. Why then my boat is the “charter” version and not the “yobs” version?

Or to be more serious, is it remotely posible that the yacht builders are keen to sell their wares to charter companies?

 

[jimbaerselman]

Charter boats are occupied for one or two weeks at a time, mostly by under 45 year olds. The average user is tolerant of crowding and accepts some discomfort. More people on board lowers individual costs.

Also charter boats only need water and fuel capacity to last 2 weeks, while simplicity of electrical, water and rigging systems is far more important than efficiency. Fewer and cheaper repairs will be needed, so lay days between turn-rounds are not needed.

Conversely, owners (more often over 45 to 75!) are likely to spend more time per year aboard, and have time to learn how to operate and maintain more efficient (albeit more complex) systems, especially electrical systems. In addition, they may prefer longer periods away from watering and re-fuelling facilities. So more comfort - space per person - is often higher on the list of priorities.

An owner under 45 is the exception among cruising boats . . .

 

[little_roundtop]

I have really never understood this “classification”. It sounds as the “charter” version is inferior to the “owners”. Who decided to call them like this and why (just the fact that you need more cabins for chartering is really not an excuse)? I have two kids therefore need two cabins at the aft. Why then my boat is the “charter” version and not the “family” version?

I think you'll find that (in boats over 40ft) the difference is in the forward berth(s). The charter version will have two tiny double cabins forward and the owners version will have an island double berth in there - possibly with the forward heads being en-suite.

We have an old Jeanneau 45 that was the charter version. We've simply taken the thin plywood partition between the forward berth down and we now have an enormous double (even triple[!]) bed in there.

 

[kingfisher]

Also, charter versions will have more bathrooms. Whereas, as an owner, I don't see the necessity of 3 toilets on a 40ft boat, where space is a premium. I only have 2 toilets 160m^2 house.

 

[Resolution]

Charter boats are occupied for one or two weeks at a time, mostly by under 45 year olds. The average user is tolerant of crowding and accepts some discomfort. More people on board lowers individual costs.

Also charter boats only need water and fuel capacity to last 2 weeks, while simplicity of electrical, water and rigging systems is far more important than efficiency. Fewer and cheaper repairs will be needed, so lay days between turn-rounds are not needed.

Conversely, owners (more often over 45 to 75!) are likely to spend more time per year aboard, and have time to learn how to operate and maintain more efficient (albeit more complex) systems, especially electrical systems. In addition, they may prefer longer periods away from watering and re-fuelling facilities. So more comfort - space per person - is often higher on the list of priorities.

An owner under 45 is the exception among cruising boats . . .

That is a really good explanation. Spot on!

 

[Tranona]

it is just a convenient way of differentiating the layouts and specifications. Generally the builders don't use it in their descriptions, it is just common parlance among buyers.

Very few builders have built boats specifically for charter use (there are exceptions such as the Dufour Atoll) - they build variations on standard models that are biased towards specific markets, incorporating the features that market values. Does not of course mean that only one particular market values specific features. Like you I have twin aft cabins rather than the single model - originally because it commands a higher charter rate, but it is just as useful in "private" use with one cabin used mainly for storage.

 

[RupertW]

Charter boats are occupied for one or two weeks at a time, mostly by under 45 year olds. The average user is tolerant of crowding and accepts some discomfort. More people on board lowers individual costs.

Also charter boats only need water and fuel capacity to last 2 weeks, while simplicity of electrical, water and rigging systems is far more important than efficiency. Fewer and cheaper repairs will be needed, so lay days between turn-rounds are not needed.

Conversely, owners (more often over 45 to 75!) are likely to spend more time per year aboard, and have time to learn how to operate and maintain more efficient (albeit more complex) systems, especially electrical systems. In addition, they may prefer longer periods away from watering and re-fuelling facilities. So more comfort - space per person - is often higher on the list of priorities.

An owner under 45 is the exception among cruising boats . . .

Very well put.

I'd add some observations, though. The water tanks on charter boats tend to be as large as the boat can fit as they contain lots of people who have only showered at home before and think water still just comes out of taps.

Very true on the electrical systems. I've owned two ex-charter boats and am used to two little batteries plus the engine start, and Marina charge by a halfords £10 jobbie. However I do remain a bit baffled as to why you would need regulators etc or any more battery life, as that's plenty for us for lighting or overnight nav lights. I guess the one thing we do have to do is run the engine for an hour each day but we don't often stay at anchor longer than that.

Spending a bit if money to improve the electrical system isn't an issue for me, but I am worried about introducing extra things to fail.

 

[Twister_Ken]

I thought the charter versions were designed to bounce, when parking.

 

[Tranona]

I thought the charter versions were designed to bounce, when parking.

Surprisingly, most modern boats are pretty good at that - Bavarias particularly with the rubber bumper already on the stern to soften the blow. Lots of berths also means lots of crew to run up and down the side decks fending off - and whooping with joy as they do it.

 

[mjcoon]

I'd add some observations, though. The water tanks on charter boats tend to be as large as the boat can fit as they contain lots of people who have only showered at home before and think water still just comes out of taps.

I'm sure you are right. But there are over 45-year-olds who remember flotilla trips where every drop of water used on board was carried there, often via dinghy, in jerry cans. Now that instills a bit of parsimony!

Mike.