To own or charter ?

[Guest]

I have owned a 26 ft yacht for 4 years now and I sail about every 3 weeks (at weekends) throughout the year. My problem is that I like to try new areas (started at Newhaven, then Tollesbury now in Gillingham Marina and I now would like to try the Eastern Solent). So, with the logistics of moving the boat to new marinas (I'm limited to marinas so that my family will come sailing) and the restrictions of work only allowing mostly weekend sailing, has anyone recently made the change from ownership to chartering and found it better or worse ? I chartered for the Round The Island last year and found it excellent, but I booked and organised 3 months in advance. I would expect to want to charter a 32ft-36ft yacht giving 2 weeks notice.

 

[Guest]

Re: charter?

I own power but charter sailboats- because there more and further-flung places for good sailing than good powerboating, and I haven't the time to sail to/from each of them.

RTI is THE weekend for charter, all boats will be out. Outside school hols short notice seems fine. I have used fairview in hamble who also have a late-availibilty e-mail thing - eg 500quid for "this weekend".

 

[claymore]

Nothing like so simple as you are trying to make this. Logically you are probably correct to be considering your options. What you need to resolve is whether your fundamental needs will be satisfied if you no longer own a boat and indeed if you will be able to maintain you motivation to keep arranging charters. You sound like someone who gets value for money out of his boat by using it quite regularly - this isn't of course based purely on whether you have a good sail each time you go out - but encompasses all the peripherals, the maintenance, the replacement of bits and pieces, etc. Of course the finances of boat ownership are a complete nonsense - writing personally, I could charter a boat I could never afford to buy, but my happiness and self satisfaction would be compromised. Try moving your boat to another area and driving there. My boat lives 300 miles away from me which is a five hour drive. I'm sick of the Irish Sea and need never need sail on it again. My boat now lives near Oban where I can sail no matter what the weather. The weekends have become as special again as they were when we first bought the boat

 

[Guest]

Re: charter?

I entirely agree with 'Claymore'- especially that partr which refers to the satisfaction of simlpy owning a boat thus making it satisfyingly available according to your whim.
However I do think every three weeks is a bit thin on usage, (only an opinion) especially if that is restricted to the 'season'.
I have often read advice to others to count the number of days the boat is used each year then calculate the total cost for the same 12 months, (ALL inclusive!). I understand that in many cases the 'Per-Day cost thus calculated can be alarming.
Have you ever thought of a partnership. Plenty of financial advantages but obvious drawbacks too. Mine works fine with three of us but we were fairly well established mates before we bought a boat together.

 

[ChrisJ]

Re: charter?

Over the last month or so there have been a couple of "new person seeks boat" posts here. Maybe one of these would be willing to share with you? This helps reduce costs - and also provides new sailing grounds for you to enjoy. A 2-week holiday can be done one way by one owner, and the 2nd owner can then bring the boat back - which nicely doubles and more the places you can get to in 2 weeks.

The problem I have with chartering is it means selling the boat first! Then, if I don't like chartering after 2 or 3 years, the chances of getting back into boat ownership again are much reduced, as the prices of boats will have risen, and your standards will have changed.

Is it possible to lay-up your own boat for 3 or 4 years, pay no mooring costs, minimal insurance and just enough electricity / maintenance to keep the damp off? Then do chartering in different places. Then come back and put your own boat back on the water again??

Cheers, Chris