Sailtime - whats it all about?

SailorV

SailorV

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I just stumbled on sailtime.com and I was wondering if anyone is a member ? What is the catch ?
On paper it sounds ideal for me as I live in Bucks and getting to the south coast for a blast will only happen once or twice a month. Realisticaly what would the monthly rates by for something like a sc29 ?

Apologies if this has been discussed at length before but I did do a search first..........honest guv !!
 
I beleive for a Bavaria 30 Sport (so similar to an S29) you are loking at £499/month plus fuel. They advertise pretty heavily at the boat shows and such, but around the solent you see a fair few boats out and about. It is a rental though, not an ownership plan. The boats are all coded and you can leave the scheme without selling anything or cost. I beleive there is a non-refundable joining fee when you join.
 
If it's the same as the sailboats then it's one owner, who springs for a lump sum of about 20% but doesn't pay anything else for the duration, and up to seven others. The seven pay a monthly fee and a couple of up front fees

All charges are included except fuel on the mobo's which, when I asked, was £1 a litre. This was when red was less than 50p in LYH. The idea is that, the more fuel you use, the more you'll put in to the boat's upkeep, which seems to make sense.

I was impressed by the Lymington set up - it seemed well thought out and the members I spoke to were generally very happy with the scheme. I'm still tempted but I don't think it's the right set-up for a comparatively inexperienced skipper who would be single-handing most of time.
 
Yes the boats are coded. I'm not sure if the scheme would allow the tax back on fuel or not. As the system used to be you paid £1 per litre of fuel burnt - not £1 a litre for fuel, if you see the subtle distinction.
 
Have just become an owner-member with SailTime on a sailing boat in Poole - Beneteau 37, so obviously think it's good! (I enjoy power boats too!). I'm in a similar position - love getting out on the water but can't find the time to justify the cost of owning my own boat outright. At first thought it looked too good to be true but can't find the catch yet - as long as you are prepared to share time with other people. Booking system seems good so fingers crossed. I think they have several power boats too and they told me that they had orders for some new Sealines this year.
..Good luck....PG
 
Well, the possible downside is that there simply isn't enough time in the month to accomodate 8 sailing members per boat if everyone wants their full wack.

I did the calculations when I was considering becoming a member and, in extremis, it can't work and you will be disappointed.

Remember, each member (and owner-member) is 'guaranteed' 7 sailing 'opportunities' per month. Which is why SailTime only ever talk about 'slots' or 'sailings' and steer clear of an unambiguous 'day's sailing'.

To compound matters, each member can also use unused 'slots' from the previous month and 'borrow' from the month ahead. There just aren't enough 'slots' in a month to cover everyone.

The idea is clever but relies upon the promoters keeping their fingers firmly crossed. And as we are a lazy bunch and few of us venture forth if its too hot, or too windy, or not enough wind............and because we are bound by the availability of our crew, or the state of the tides or the whim of our bosses.........well, the model seems to work and the promoters luck will last.

Its worth while being forewarned, though, before commiting to a year's expense of between £6,000 and £8,500 and a non-refundable deposit of £1,000. Ouch!
 
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