Putting a boat in the Med for Charter?

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I'm thinking about buying a boat to put in the Med mainly for chartering out but for some occasional personal use when the UK weather really pisses me off. Has anyone got any experience of this?
Where would be best location for the boat to maximize charter income - I'm thinking Balearics, Spain or S o France?
What kind and size of boat is most popular for charter - flybridge or sports cruiser?
Does it have to be new or do used boats charter just as easily?
Should I use a charter agent or market it myself?
Can anyone reccomend a good charter agent?
How many weeks a year charter could I reasonably expect?
How long before the boat is trashed?

 

[tcm]

I have a bit of experience of this.

Best location is Balearics.
Best time to rent is mid-july to end August, specifically school holidays.
Dunno bout flybridge v sports cruiser.
A boat up to four/five years old commands same rental as new.
You need to have someone on the ground to handover and take back the boat.
You could talk to Med Charter, nice lady will chat with you, ask for "the nice lady in charge.
If you don't use it july/august, expect 6 weeks.
Boat will be "trashed" fairly early. Expect them not to wash it, use loads of sun tan oil, and scrape woodwork with rolex watches. Art the end, the agent wants the customer back so they don't bat your corner too heavily for lost fenders and so on.
With al the costs of MCA approval, insurance, finding berths, getting chucked out of berths and having to find another....it might be an idea to do some renting over there yourself? Or mebbe buy a share of a boat (hint hint)?

 

[Guest]

You beat me to the next enquiry I was going to ask of the experienced.
I intend placing one or two for charter/diving in Spain.
Buying something suitable direct from the States is my intention with shipping direct, first must find out all info including taxes.
I have a place over there only thing missing is a boat.

 

[ccscott49]

I would check out the market and regulations very carefully for charter/diving boats in Spain, they have some very tight regulations, especially favouring there own.......

 

[haydon]

I will be doing just this in spring 2003

I am setting up a sea school / charter / guardianage business on the south coast of spain.

Things to consider are cat 2 cert for boat as a charter vessel which will cost about 8k for an average 35-40' motor yacht " thats to do it legaly"

Good quality boats are always in demand either fly or sports at least two cabins even better.

their is a lot to consider as you are chartering your inverstment to others but always charge a bond so you are covered for the lost fender or a damaged prop etc.

I am looking for people with boats in the med who may require guardianage or a charter income from their boats.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Thanks for the info, tcm. I have talked to a charter company in Majorca and they're telling me I could expect 10 weeks charter a year for a popular boat but I think this is optimistic. They say 35-50ft sports cruisers are the most sought after boats and that I should buy new and replace after 3 years or so. The charter operation could be set up as a limited company and therefore buying new has a certain attraction as VAT could be reclaimed on a new boat although there are secondhand boats about which are priced ex VAT
My main concern is what 3yrs chartering would do to the condition and hence secondhand value of a new boat. Any views?
I'm certainly going to try a charter myself first to get a taste for how it works before I get into this
Thanks for the hint on boat sharing. However I dont think that even if I empty all my piggy banks its going to run to much of a share of a big cat

 

[Guest]

Re: Putting a boat in the Med for Charter?re haydo

I'm not looking down south somuch as up to Costa Dorada lo-cal, lots of new marinas between Tarragona and the Delta. It's getting rather popular around here.