Whitsunday Charter boats

[Gi-Lo]

Hi All,
I apologise as this post is somewhat limited to Australians but I'm sure there are Similar Models all over the World.

The beautiful 74 Whitsunday islands is the prime cruising area of Australia. A common model is to buy a brand new Catamaran, and put it into charter through various management Companies based in the port of Airlie Beach. The big manufacturers dangle this carrot as a way of getting your beautiful dream boat paid for, and on the face of it, it looks good. I would love to hear from anyone that has actually done this, and whether it really is a viable/sensible venture??

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.....

[JPA Cate]

Matt, years ago, we had some friends who did the have your boat in charter, then take it away when you're ready to leave thing. They were not too happy because at the end of the five years, what they had was an already half worn out boat that other people had carelessly enjoyed the "new" off--charterers not being always considerate of the actual owners of the boat.

It works well for the charter outfits, though. They get to charter the boat out and the owner pays for all repairs.

For our friends, it was also a nuisance to have to bring to and then remove all their personal stuff that they wanted for the weekend each time they wanted to use the boat.

In other words, NO!

Ann

[JPA Cate]

^^^^

Sorry for calling you Matt, Gi-Lo, Matt's GILow, and I blew it.

Ann

[Factor]

I know of many happy customers/buyers/owners. I can put you in touch with some. There are a range of models of ownership and operation and much of the decision making revolves around your personal tax situation.

[Gi-Lo]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

^^^^

Sorry for calling you Matt, Gi-Lo, Matt's GILow, and I blew it.

Ann

No Problem at all, thanks for your contribution...... just in regard to your answer..... if it meant the difference between owning or not..... would that change your view??

Gi-lo

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Gi-Lo

No Problem at all, thanks for your contribution...... just in regard to your answer..... if it meant the difference between owning or not..... would that change your view??

Gi-lo

Gi-Lo

Ya know, everybody's different. I, personally, wouldn't do it, I'd rather have a less fancy boat nearby that I could sail when I wanted to go sailing, not have to check when I wake up and see it's a fine day, then have to ask the charter guys if it's being used then; and new or "modern" or big & fancy isn't really important to me. But it is, to some people, and you are the only one who can say if the compromises you'd be making would be tolerable to you.

Having said that, I also am not an Australian citizen, therefore have different tax status than you. What Factor wrote indicates there may be some situations where it might be advantageous to you to join such a program, in spite of what I think of as serious drawbacks.

Caveat emptor.

Ann