There is a perception that sailing is for those who have made their money and can afford to spend long months exploring exotic waters. This is because it takes more than just cash to own a boat – you need to have the time to really enjoy it. It’s a sad sight to behold a beautiful yacht lying unused in a marina.
This is one of the reasons why charter boats have become so popular with busy sailors. They are, essentially, the investment real estate of the nautical world. Instead of purchasing a boat and putting it to use only two or three times per year, you can rent it out to charterers. That way, you’re making money back on your charter investment and you’re saving the boat from a sedentary life.
Is a Charter Boat Right For You?
A majority of boat owners stand to significantly benefit from charter investment because only a small proportion have the time to dedicate themselves completely to a cruising life. So, you’re pretty much guaranteed to get a lot out of the arrangement, more than you would if you were to purchase a yacht and leave it tied up in the dock for months at a time. Charter investment means you can enjoy holidays aboard your boat in beautiful cruising grounds until a time when you’re ready for full-time yacht ownership. This is a great way to get to know your boat completely and prepare for life onboard.
Where Will I Keep My Boat?
The good news is that there’s no end to the number of amazing locations for charter boats. The Yacht Sales Co. is affiliated with several of the world’s leading charter companies and can help place your multihull in the best location.
What Kind of Boat Makes a Great Charter Vessel?
The Yacht Sales Co. has been supplying the charter industry with multihulls and monohulls for more than 25 years. We know which vessels are best for charter and stand to generate the most profit for their owners.
What do I need to option my new boat with?
Your new boat will have myriad options for you to add; the trick in the charter investment business is to make sure you remove personal emotion and select only items necessary for charter use. The Yacht Sales Co. can help you with this. Then, at the end of the charter period, you can add your extra items such as dive tanks, generators etc that are generally not required for week-long charters. Your gear will also be the latest available in the market.
It is also important to keep in mind the resale value when taking the entire investment into account. Generally, charterers are looking for four-cabin catamarans. However, a three-cabin or Owner’s-version catamaran will have better resale, so it’s a case of weighing it up.
Will My Boat Be Kept in Good Condition?
If you choose you charter company carefully, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that it’s being cared for properly over the (typical) five-year charter period. The Yacht Sales Co. can help you find a reliable charter company, which will handle all of the logistics associated with chartering and make sure that maintenance and repairs are of a high quality. You should talk to the people responsible for your boat on a regular basis (usually over the phone) and personally inspect it at least twice a year.
It is also important to purchase a brand that has excellent after-sales service for any warranty, spare parts and support from the supplier. This is critical for the success of your investment and for the charter operator to deliver the revenue expectations.
For more information and advice on charter investment, contact The Yacht Sales Co. today. Our team have a combined 25+ years in the international charter industry and are leading suppliers to the Australian yacht charter industry. You can trust our experience and expertise.