The thought of signing up for a yacht sharing may seem totally out of your comfort zone but you could be surprised about the options and schemes available writes Sue Pelling.

Look at any marina and you’ll notice that a huge percentage of privately owned cruising yachts hardly ever go anywhere. They just sit in the marina year after year at great expense, and often deteriorate. Eventually these precious assets get sold off at great financial loss, and often the process repeats itself again and again under new ownerships.

So, what’s the answer? Unless you know you’ll be using your yacht on a regular basis, and/or will be using the boat for racing, it really does pay to ‘do the sums’ and work out whether you should consider the growing trend of boat share ownership. 

This sad trend in boat ownership over the last decade or so has prompted a growing move towards loaning or sharing in the marine sector with a steady flow of companies launching fractional/shared ownership, and gym-style club membership schemes.

It’s a bit like the car industry that has seen a huge shift in customers choosing to lease rather than buy. With plenty of good deals ‘out there’ and the chance of being able to drive a top-of-the-range car that would otherwise be out of the range in financial terms in many cases, it is a serious temptation.

It’s the same with yacht shared ownership/lease schemes, with many companies offering a choice of top of the range, fully maintained yachts. Those who choose charter, particularly in gym-style club membership schemes, have the advantage of sailing a range of top-spec yachts, without the outlay of purchasing or having to deal with time-consuming repairs and maintenance. Just step aboard, sail, and hand back when you’ve finished. 

Schemes available

Charter company shared ownership

Some yacht charter companies such as Nautilus Yachting, Sunsail, The Moorings, Dream Yacht Worldwide, Sail Ionian, and Navigare Yachting have expanded into charter purchase schemes, which can be a cost-effective option particularly if you are a regular charter holiday customer. These ownership schemes are an extremely popular way to enjoy boating without the full financial burden of outright ownership.

Depending on the company you choose, you’ll get a chance to sail up to 12 weeks a year in the most beautiful destinations in the world. If you sign up with Sunsail, for example, you’ll  have a dedicated owner team to deal with all the administration side of the ownership scheme, a range of Dufour yachts, or Leopard catamaran to choose from, up to 12 weeks of holiday per year, access to many of the company’s bases around the world, use of other Sunsail boats of equivalent size, no harbour fees, no insurance, and no maintenance costs. You will also have a choice of taking a fixed/guaranteed monthly income, or a reduced purchase price at the end of the contract. 

Dream Yacht Worldwide is equally attractive with its worry-free charter ownership management programmes, with a total of seven options to choose from and, like most schemes like this, allows you up to 12 weeks a year sailing on either your own or a similar yacht, in 40+ of the world’s best charter destinations.

Sail Ionian’s charter yacht partnership scheme has been around for the last 18 years and has proved a great success with an unprecedented level of second term investment. The company reports that 80% of charter yacht partnership investors have re-invested in a new yacht for an additional five years, so it’s worth looking at what Sail Ionian has to offer.

Syndicates/fractional ownership 

This is a great way of sharing the purchase and running costs of owning a yacht with a group of people you know, but there is a lot to consider in legal terms and, it is imperative you have an agreement formalised from the outset. Having an agreement in place will help avoid any clashes between members, not only about usage of the boat, and ongoing expenses, maintenance and repair but also about if/when you want to terminate your part of the contract.

It makes sense therefore to use a professional managed boat share company that is set up to deal with all the necessary paperwork and any problems that arise. A good start is the RYA’s legal department that offers advice on Buying with a Syndicate, or sharingcontracts.com – a company that offers ready-made boat share contracts. 

For an all-in-one package, you might like to consider signing up with the yacht share brokerage company Yacht Fractions.  Established in 1991, this company was one of the first to launch a scheme of this sort and operates in the UK as well as globally. The website lists an extensive range of yachts to choose from, so all you need to do is pick your yacht and let Yacht Fractions deal with all the share agreement paperwork and legal issues. 

Gym-style membership schemes

If you want the flexibility of owning a yacht but don’t want the commitment, then this sort of gym-style membership where you can step on and off without the hassle of boat maintenance and berthing fees, this is the one for you. There are several UK basked companies such as Flexisail, Pure Latitude Boat Club, Hamble Point Yacht Charters, and Fairview Sailing offering this subscription-style service, and it is becoming more and more popular as would-be boatowners/boatowners realise the advantages.

As with all schemes, you need to read the fine details before signing up to see how it works because in most cases there is a one off ‘club’ joining fee plus a monthly subscription, and you need a RYA Day Skipper and VHF qualifications. Most have variety of membership levels, and a good selection of yachts to suit you requirements.

Pure Latitude has four bases in southern England, and, for a standard membership of £700 monthly fee (on a points basis), you have the choice of 20+ sail and motor boats to use, with around 15-20 days of boating a year. 

Flexisail has three membership levels – Midweek, Weekend, Anytime – with the Midweek option from £500 per month with up to 30 days sailing a year. This company’s Flexibook online booking system is popular too, which allows you to make, cancel, swap or exchange time with other members at any time, up to 12 months ahead.

Finally, Hamble Point Charter Membership is simple  and flexible, and its Standard membership scheme starts at £300 per month, which gives you a chance to try out a large range of yachts from 30ft to 56ft. There is no joining fee, and you get up to 41 days of sailing a year. 

Useful contacts

dreamyachtcharter.com

sunsail.com

mooringsyachtownership.com

yacht-charter.co.uk [Hamble Point Charter]

flexisail.com

sailionian.com/yacht-ownership

purelatitude.com

sharingcontracts.com

rya.org.uk

nautilusyachting.com

navigare-yachting.com

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The post Yacht Sharing Guide: Best Ownership Options & Schemes appeared first on Sailing Today.

Island hopping in the Tropics from one lush palm tree-lined beach to the next is a popular choice for those looking for a paradise sailing yacht charter holiday writes Sue Pelling…

French Polynesia, in the South (central) Pacific Ocean, with its vibrant blue lagoons and Robin Crusoe-style remote, pure white sandy beach-lined islands, is just one location that evokes a sailing yacht charter holiday paradise. From the picture-perfect lagoons of Bora Bora and beyond to the rugged beauty of the Marquesas Islands, there’s a wealth of natural wonders to explore by yacht.

But it’s not just French Polynesia that offers an abundance of charter opportunities. As the demand for charter holidays in far-flung places increases, more and more charter companies are now operating regularly in places like Thailand, the Seychelles, Maldives, Australia, and even Zanzibar or Madagascar in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa.

To satisfy your hunger for pure indulgence, sailing companies such as Dream Yacht Worldwide, Nautilus Yachting, Seafarer, Moorings, and Sunsail, plus the huge range of yacht charter agents such as Click&Boat, borrowaboat.com, and Helm.yt, have plenty of choice exotic charter holidays, with many advertising seasonal offers.

Most of the equatorial tropics are in the trade wind zone, which means depending on what time you travel, you’ll probably experience good, steady sailing winds which can reach up to 30kts. It is therefore worth bearing this in mind before you book. Most charter companies will advise on weather conditions expected vs. sailing experience required.

Seafarer, and other companies like The Moorings have bases in Thailand and the Seychelles, but if you are contemplating Australasia, Cumberland Charter Yachts that specialises in charter holidays in that region, is worth considering.

Other companies that cover the Whitsunday Islands include Sunsail, or Nautilus Yachting which is one of the UK’s leading independent yacht charter agencies with over 30 years of experience.

The Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean is good year-round charter holiday destination with the islands of Praslin, Mahe and La Digue offering a range of paradise exploration opportunities.

Nautilus Yachting’s Seychelles option offers two choices of week-long itineraries covering the period November to April with northwest winds, and May to October with southeast winds (the two distinct seasons).

Both charters start from its base on the island of Praslin, and have a good selection of multihull charter yachts on offer including Bali, Fountaine Pajot, and Lagoons up to 52ft.

Nautilus Yachting’s other Tropical regions include Thailand, and Tahiti (French Polynesia) which are hugely popular. This company, which always has a consistent uptake of bookings for charter in the Tropics, was keen to share news of its current special offers for 2024 at some of its destinations including up to 15% off Tahiti, up to 30% off Thailand, and up to 30% off the Seychelles.

Despite its name, Med Sailing Holidays doesn’t just cover the Mediterranean, it has a selection of tropical options too including Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Thailand and The Whitsunday Islands, so it’s worth taking a look at the company’s simple-to-navigate website. 

If you are thinking of a charter slightly ‘off the beaten track’ in the Indian Ocean for example in places like of Zanzibar, Mozambique, Madagascar, or Mauritius, then East Africa Yacht Charters has a good selection of yachts and holiday packages with a choice of different types of charter.

When researching ideas for your dream holiday you’ll find it pays to be flexible particularly if you are not restricted to set dates because some companies also offer last minute deals. You will, however, need to consider requirements such as size and type of yacht, and special requirements including air conditioning.

Also, depending on who you are travelling with, such as family or groups (including youngsters or older members), keep in mind the length of flight and the ease/convenience of transfer to the holiday sailing base. 

By the cabin charter is a growing sector in the yacht charter business which is good news for solo travellers who are keen to enjoy a relaxing, exotic holiday with like-minded guests.

Dream Yacht Worldwide is a good choice because it understands its customers’ needs and has several destinations available with its Cabin Charter including Tahiti, the Seychelles, Thailand and the Bahamas.

To make your holiday booking process as simple as possible, Dream says: “All you need to do is book your flights, pack a bag and check in.” The yacht will be crewed by skipper and hostess, which means once onboard you can settle into your cabin, meet your fellow travellers for welcome drinks, sit back and relax, and enjoy a holiday of a lifetime in total paradise.

East Africa Yacht Charters also specialise in By the Cabin charter as well as its bareboat and crewed charter in this area. On the Zanzibar Cabin Cruise you’ll explore the more protected north, south or west coastlines with anchorages aplenty in the secluded coral and marine-rich waters.

If you are looking for bareboat charter, there is no shortage of yacht agency companies who can help narrow down the search. Click&Boat’s, simple and straightforward website does exactly ‘what it says on the tin’. Enter you preferred destination, click the type yacht you require, and other options such as skippered or bareboat, then take your pick.

Finally it’s worth mentioning that although flotilla holidays in the Tropics are nowhere near as popular as they are in the Mediterranean, they do exist. Nautilus Yachting for example (in conjunction with Seafarer Holidays) offer a flotilla route exploring the picture-perfect islands in the Andaman Sea lying to the south of Phuket.

The flotilla route is within the protected tidal waters, and the wind averages Force 3, which means you’ll have a good, exciting sail from the Nautilus base at Yacht Haven Marina in Phuket. Also, with just a 20-minute journey from Phuket International Airport to the marina, this is a good choice for families.

The post Why sailing yacht charter destinations are getting more and more exotic appeared first on Sailing Today.

A list of carefully selected top-quality boats for sale – some of the best yachts in online brokerage – just for you.

COMAR COMET 41S     

BATFISH V 

£105,000 Tax paid 

Batfish V is well constructed, Italian designed and built performance cruiser/racer from Studio Vallicelli and Comar Yachts. The brokers say this design is rare to the UK market, and ideally suited for club/offshore racing, or family cruising. Launched in 2007 and with just three owners from new (the first being the UK importer), this yacht well specified and has had lots of recent updates and maintenance.

She has a spacious and comfortable cruising interior comprising three double cabins and two heads, a spacious saloon and galley, making her ideal for shorthanded cruising/racing or family sailing. 

Batfish V is currently one of the top boats for sale. Her updates and maintenance include a new Volvo Penta D2-40 diesel engine in 2018 (covering little more than 300 hours since). There is a new sail drive gearbox, leg, sail drive diaphragm and Gori 3-blade folding propellor, all replaced in 2022. Batfish V also has a Raymarine touchscreen chart plotter from 2018,  Ullman Sails mainsail and matching roller furling genoa, both from 2019, and her rig was removed and fully inspected in in the same year.

Year: 2007

LOA: 12.46m (40’0″)

Beam: 3.91m (12’0″)

Draft: 2.2m (7’0″)

Displacement: 8,000kg

Hull Construction: Glass fibre

Keel: Full

Engine: Volvo Penta D2-40 40hp

Designer: Studio Vallicelli

Accommodation: 7 berths in 3 cabins

Location: South coast, UK

Contact: grabauinternational.com

craftinsure quote: £POA

BATFISH V: Internal

JEANNEAU SUN ODYSSEY 44 DS     

JAYDEE

£210,000 Tax paid

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44 DS  is a spacious and comfortable performance cruising yacht. Jaydee is a 2015 model, has had four owners since new, and has been very well maintained. She has two generous cabins, twin heads, a light and bright saloon thanks to her large windows and overhead deck hatches, and large, fully equipped L-shaped galley on the starboard side. This boat also benefits from a generator, electric winches, heating throughout, autopilot, bow thruster unit and Jeanneau’s 360 Saildrive docking system.

Jaydee’s sail wardrobe includes fully serviced (in 2023) furling Dacron mainsail, self-tacking jib in X-Grid Mylar/taffeta, furling Dacron genoa (lightly used), and a new last year Saturn Sails Code 0.

Year: 2014

LOA: 13.34m (43’9″)

Beam: 4.24m (13’11”)

Draft: 2.2m (7’3″)

Displacement: 9,750kg

Hull Construction: Glass fibre

Keel: L-shaped (with bulb)

Engine: Yanmar 54HP

Designer: Philippe Briand

Accommodation: 4-6 berths in 2 cabins

Location: Inverkip, Scotland

Contact: michaelschmidt.co.uk

craftinsure quote: £638

JAYDEE: Internal

NICHOLSON 476   

SOLENT LADY

£145,000 Tax paid

Solent Lady is another top-tier boat for sale. From UK yachting’s finest in 1985, this iconic cruising yacht is currently under her third ownership. Solent Lady has been cherished throughout her life, and her wonderful handcrafted teak interior is very close to faultless. She comes with a Rondal furling rig and recently installed beautiful teak decks. Solent Lady holds VAT paid status in Europe and has successfully obtained Returned Goods Relief in the UK. According to the broker, she is a timeless and contemporary classic and a very special yacht.

Year: 1985

LOA: 14.4m (47’3”)

Beam: 4.16m (13’8”)

Draft: 2.3m (7’7”)

Displacement: 14,969kg

Hull Construction: Glass fibre

Keel: Fin

Engine: 1 x Perkins 4236, 72hp

Designer: David Pedrick

Accommodation: 7 berths in 2 cabins & saloon

Location: Lymington, Hants

Contact: berthoninternational.com

craftinsure quote: £892

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The post Three of the best brokerage boats for sale appeared first on Sailing Today.

Greek cruising and chartering

With 15,000 kilometres of coastline and around 6,000 Islands to explore, the cruising area of Greece is vast and offers a huge range of conditions to suit all levels of ability. If you are looking to escape the madding crowds, don’t be put off by the popularity of Greece because one of the reasons why it remains a charter holiday hot spot is because there are plenty of places to explore in areas such as the Saronic Gulf, the Cyclades, and the Ionian Sea.

When chartering in Greece most bases are in prime positions, which means you don’t need to sail for days to find tranquil anchorages off the beaten track, or quaint harbour towns with waterside cafes and restaurants. There are plenty of opportunities to embrace the rich and diverse local Greek traditions too, so ultimately, it could be the ideal place if you are keen to combine sailing with cultural activities onshore.

The Saronic Gulf

The Saronic Gulf, also known as the Gulf of Aegina, is created by the peninsulas of Attica and Argolis, and includes part of the Aegean Sea. Given its location – the closest islands to Athens – and the fact it is known for its crystal water and relaxing way of life, it’s a popular resort with the locals. The winds in this area are generally moderate from the southeast and consistent, which means if you have previous experience, you’ll enjoy this area.

This part of Greece is also rich in culture and architecture with places like the ancient port of Hydra regarded as the gem of the Saronic islands. Its stone buildings that line harbour, make it an inviting place to sail into and, with no traffic allowed on this island and, donkeys the preferred mode of transportation, it’s a fun place to visit.

Aegina, Poros, and Spetses are some of the other places worth cruising to, as is Agistri, which is less popular and therefore a good place to explore.

There are plenty of charter companies that operate in the area with variety of charter opportunities including bareboat, skippered or flotilla with companies like Sailing Holidays, Seafarer Sailing Holiday, Sunsail, Dream Yacht Worldwide, and Venture Sail Holidays just a small selection. Sunsail’s base at Athens’ Zea Marina is a good starting point for a bareboat or skipper charter, while Sailing Holidays offer a two-week flotilla which starts and finishes in Astrous and takes in all the beauty spots and ‘secret’ anchorages. For a by-the-cabin charter, look at what Nautilus has to offer aboard its Lagoon 400 catamaran.

Cruising in Cyclades

Cyclades islands, which are in the central Aegean Sea are noted for their iconic, vibrant, whitewashed hilltop villages, churches with blue domed roofs, and windmills. Given its location further to east and in open waters, however, you’ll find the wind is stronger than in the west part of Greece, which mean you are likely to enjoy consistently fresh winds. Therefore, when chartering in Greece, it is more suited if you are of intermediate level and above, and want to enjoy the thrill of fast passage-making in spectacular conditions. The ideal time to sail in this area is May or June, and September and October for the best chance to avoid the Meltemi northerly wind that pipes up in July and August and can reach Force 7-8. Nautilus Yachting offers a selection of option with its recommended one week bareboat on a Sun Odyssey 410 starting from Lavrion (40-minute transfer from Athens airport). Sailing Holidays also operates from Lavrion with its one-week charter itinerary taking in all the beauty spots on its exploration trip of  Cyclades with the most popular islands Santorini and Mykonos. For a by-the cabin option, Seafarer’s one week cruise aboard one of its fully crewed 52ft sailing yachts – Christianna VII or Blue Marlin – could be the ultimate relaxing holiday.

The Ionian

Holidaymakers with a relaxing outlook or those with young families should consider a short leg/island-hopping option such as the Ionian. When chartering in Greece, the Islands in these areas are just far enough apart to enjoy a good sail in the reliable winds, which are generally not too much of a challenge. It is lush and picturesque and offers stunning anchorages and beaches with plenty of opportunity to enjoy the local taverna culture.

Southern Ionian islands are within proximity, and navigation is mainly line of sight, some careful route planning can mean you can cover a couple of hundred sea miles in a one-week visit. Head down to Kefalonia or Ithaca on day one, and then back up to Meganisi on day two – you don’t need to take the circular route that most flotillas follow. The Northern Ionian with the beautiful island of Corfu often a starting point with companies like Sailing Holidays, that offers easy access from the airport, and places like Sagiadha, Petriti, Paxos, Gaios some of the highlights of the cruising area. 

Sail Ionian, as the name suggests, specialises in sailing holidays in the Ionian Islands from Lefkas (Vliho Bay) and has plenty to offer from bareboat, skippered, luxury all-inclusive charter, flotilla, to tuition-based holidays.

Among the other many companies that operate in the Ionian, Sunsail, and Seafarer offer flotillas from their bases at Maganisi (east-southeast of the island of Lefkada), which is a great idea for families and groups of friends. Seafarer also has an option to combine its flotilla with a beach club holiday, or tuition. Dream Yacht Worldwide has bareboat and skipper charter options in this area too as does Nautilus Yachting. Nautilus Yachting also runs flotillas, which starts and finishe in the ancient city of Palairos in the south part of the Ionian on mainland Greece.

Finally, for something different in the Southern Ionian, check out Dragon Drascombe that runs a bespoke discover Greece package holiday aboard its Drascombe Lugger, or Wildwind, for the ultimate beach-based Greek holiday.

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