Boat Share ???

[J.Teixeira]

Hi

Mi name is Jose Teixeira, I am from Portugal and mi English is quite limited, so if someone can explain this better, I would be very grateful.

This is an idea that came up with a friend who as a Mac X in Lake Leman.

Both our destinations are very interesting but distances for trailering...

So...

...

The idea is simple: Instead of trailering our boats long distances, making expensive and risky travels. Why not share our boat with others?

Create a small MacGregor boat owner’s network, located strategically and able to share our boats between us …

We're sure that these are people who are familiar with the boats and who have the same care with our when use …

At first glance it may seem complicated, but it is simple and very flexible.

There are at least three alternatives.

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1º CREW SWITCH

Imagine you sailing alone in a boat which may take three or four people.

Imagine the difficulty of traveling long distances, trailering and launching your boat alone.

Aren't there other owners elsewhere under the same circumstances?

Crew switch is to receive visits on your boat and visit the someone’s boat somewhere else always in the presence of boat owner...

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2º BOAT SWITCH

Means that two owners of boats in two separate locations lend their boats to each other for a short period of time.

This allows you to travel to distant locations, with your family and to be received by the owner of the boat that will show the navigation area and will give you all local information.

Then you will receive the visit of this family in your boat …

Implies less time commitments but more confidence among people… And a good insurance…

It is a fantastic way of traveling, meet people, places, countries, boats …

And it's incredibly low cost...

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3º FRIENDLY CHARTER

Suppose you don't have boat or that do can’t lend your boat (it’s in your garden... ) but wish to use someone's boat.

Suppose you have your boat in water close to home in a fantastic site, and that you have more requests for visits than time to travel.

You can then by a small amount rent your boat to other similar boat owners.

Imagine how interesting would be to be able to rent Macgregor boats directly from other owners for a low-price?

Imagine how interesting would be able to do some extra cash to buy more gadgets for your boat? Pay insurances? Marina fees?

"My boat your boat" is what it is all about.

Easy travel , meet people, counties, sail, save money …

What do you think about this?

Best Regards

Jose…

[dvideohd]

Insurance is a big problem....

there are some things like this now in the US - but not limited to Macs... Kind of like a Time Share network.....

Then you get into the "standards" of the person using someone else's boat... are they "certified"- IE, do they know what they are doing...

I have heard of people trading time - but not formally....

--jr

[Gerry the fish]

Sounds great until something goes wrong. Standard boat insurance probably doesnt allow for this. (Definetely not if there is any payment involved) And everyone has a different comfort level for wear and tear on your own boat.

I like the idea - and would be glad to take someone else out on my boat for a few hours, but wouldnt hand it over to someone for a weekender.

Gerry

[Pete]

Very bad Idea

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Very bad Idea

Me thinks so also...mainly because, 1. insurance, 2. care of the boat, 3. complicated, 4. liability,

Even though the idea sounds good...I wouldnt enjoy using someone's boat, having the concern of damaging or breaking something. (breakage or damage concerning a boat adds up to money).

Rentals are an option at most places which sounds better in my opinion, which removes the complications of "boat sharing". The good idea about rentals will provide boat size options also -- big, small, medium, etc.

Just my opinion. But, your idea may be workable with some Mac-iers.

[tangentair]

on edit:

!

tangentair:

Please note this forum is not the place to make, discuss or solicite offers for boat sharing. I will not go into the liability issues and I will end this thread if I see anyone attempting to sell or barter equipment or services here. All commercial transactions including those of zero value must first be approved by the site admin and listed in the appropriate location. edited: toned down to a reasonable level - Please note Heath and JT have started a dialog on boat sharing and if or until they develop a vehicle please feel free to discuss the merits but avoid any negoiations etc. Thanks

[puggsy]

It could not work in OZ becàuse the authorities would regard it as a charter, and here all charter vessels must be certificated...a very long convoluted process....they will not even consider any vessel, no matter how well built unless it was built under their supervision...adding greatly to construction costs...and even if no money6 changed hands, they would place a 'value' on any swap, converting it to a money charter...its all about the almighty dollar...greed...
It is never a good idea to even be part owners in a boat...someone always cops all of the maintenance work...it can break up good friendships....'
Better to be your OWN Captain Bligh.

[J.Teixeira]

Here in Europe this is a very common practice...

It is a non profit thing between boat owners...

I have done it successfully a number of times...

In some cases owners charge small amounts if boats include marinas, gates or other services...

Heath thinks that this does not fit on any of this present forums but will try to find a way to fit this in a special new place

(So Moderator please CLOSE this thread... until Heath finds a solution for this)

Jose

[Kelly Hanson East]

Jose - I think you are seeing the difference between the liability culture of EU and the US. There are places (such as where I live in NY) where liability hasnt infected everything we do and you could do something like this, but in many parts of the country this is not so.

Rich - this is a little unclear to me - if someone wanted to advertise a boat share would it be a classified?

[Russ]

Jose - I think you are seeing the difference between the liability culture of EU and the US. There are places (such as where I live in NY) where liability hasnt infected everything we do and you could do something like this, but in many parts of the country this is not so.

Yes. We have more lawyers and they aren't afraid to file lawsuits.

Also, I wouldn't necessarily trust a stranger to care for my boat the way I would. Maybe if I knew the person well and knew their skills. But a quick walk down our dock, I found the vast majority of boats (almost all of them) didn't have their dock lines cleated properly. Most were improperly attached. My neighbor's Bayliner had docklines tied to his bimini instead of cleats. So would I trust them with my boat? I doubt it.

--Russ

[robbarnes1965]

I think it's a great idea as long a NO MONEY changes hands.

While more can go wrong with a boat, I have done many home exchanges and all have went well. When people are not charged anything they tend to take much better care than if they rent. I have exchanged cars with the homes most of the time and my insurance company has no problem with it as long as the driver is licensed. Should not be different with a boat.

I keep mine in a yacht club and occasionally have trailered it. I find you lose a whole day in the process(when you are not used to it) and damage or lose something every time. It's much safer in the water....

Rob

[dvideohd]

Great idea...

One group of friends had folks in the US and Germany. They were interested in doing exactly this... The US folks wanted to go to Germany - and ultimately to France to travel on the incredible canals and inland water ways. The German folks wanted to go to for an extended trip near Las Vegas - on the lake. Take some time to explore the lake on boat - and then spend a bit of time in Las Vegas being "tourists"... The theory on both parties was that this was a very low cost way of having a great vacation... And it would be...

The issue that they spent a lot of time working on was "what you need to know and be qualified to do" - at each place. A lot of stuff is just not obvious - and it took a good while to work this part out. In the event of a problem, each party knew they could contact the other for help - and cell phones/skype made it much easier to do.

I don't know if they ultimately made the exchanges (for a 2 week trip+ each) - but they had a plan and a "friends" relationship to draw on.

I think such arrangements could work out... but their situation was a lot more than just casual friends.

There are organized exchange groups on the Gulf coast doing things like this... perhaps someone with more knowledge than me could post it... I think you had to have some certifications in order to participate, there...

--jr

[irayone]

I have way too much emotional attachment to my boat as it is a very personal thing...I won't let anyone even think of sailing her. I let my neighbor borrow my lawn mower.....He brought it back with no gas and dirty.....A lesson learned..

[J.Teixeira]

The first time that i have done this it was a long time ago.

Mi only boat was "Olimpico" an old Dehler 23 Varianta that I inherited from mi grandfather.

A beautiful racer that I still keep in good shape.

An old couple of French came to visit our farm saw the boat and proposed me to do it.

I was so concerned with "the thing" that I decided to take a day of at work, and go with them to show them the first lake of the water way, the gates (so and so...)

All went well. they took the boat 5 days...

Later that year, I was invited to France.

They received us so well... their boat was one of those French channel house boats... We went from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and we made one of the best holidays of our life (and believe me... We are traveled people)...

Since then... Switzerland, Italy, South Africa, Malaysia, Spain, Greece...

If it works with other boats why not with Macs???

It is a question of open mind, travel spirit and a good insurance (I mean an insurance that covers our own damage and people on board) I pay 560 EUR a year for mine (780 USD) and covers 30.000 EUR of self made damage + the usual responsibilities...

Do you have any idea of how much costs a real charter a day?

Remember we are just discussing the interest of the idea and the possibility of implementing it in a special area on this forum...

It is just an idea...

Best Regards

Jose

[irayone]

Hi
Charter depends on size of the boat. A new Catalina 30 will run about 100.00 per day. You must have ASA American sailing or US sailing certificate. Which is fun, educational, and easy to get. You don't have to clean it or repare it. (unless you break something) So just incase get the insurance. The 42 Catalina will run about 250.00 per day. Go on line and google sailing Charter. Tons of info. Mexico has great rates. The Caribbean Catamarians in the 38 to 42 ft range cost about 800.00 per day.