Lifestyle choices should be replete with simplicity, ease and good value. That feels like a smart approach. Now when it comes to boating, there is a significant conundrum associated with this choice. On the one hand, there are so many clear and compelling reasons why it is a great activity choice. It is terrific for uninterrupted family time, stress reduction, fresh air, and all the positive health and social benefits that go with being outdoors. On the other hand, there are many elements that tend to erode the overall experience. These come in the forms of boat maintenance, insurance bills, slip fees, financing payments and other related costs. There is also the reality that once the “honeymoon period” ends, the reality and schedule challenges of life will creep back in and will prevent as much use of the boat as had been anticipated. Th is alone is an underlying stressor that has most boat owners asking if all of the bills are worth the amounts of time that they actually spend boating. However, making the decision that it is not worth it and then selling the boat could lead to significant lost value from the time of purchase, a lengthy sales cycle, multiple showings to flaky buyers, etc.

Enter fractional boating. Most consumers today are interested in great, turnkey experiences. They are interested in having all of the fun, laughs and great memories and leaving the maintenance, bills and stressors at the dock. Fractional boating provides just that. Membership or ownership in a fractional program provides the ability to simply show up at the boat, drop the cooler and gear onboard, complete a few safety checks and head out for a day or more on the water, easily allowing boaters to claim the aforementioned benefits. Once finished, safely return the boat, pack up, clean up and head home. If there are any problems, they are noted and are addressed by the provider of the service. It could not be any easier. This leads to the question, “How much does all of this cost?” The interesting reality is that since each boat is efficiently shared amongst several members, the costs are significantly less than those of ownership. The trade-off is that there may be an occasional conflict regarding availability, but most programs have means by which swapping and waitlisting can occur on the schedule for the boat.

For those who have never been boaters, have left boating for any of the above reasons or have thought to themselves, “I don’t have the time to consider boating,” here is a very compelling reason to say, “It’s time to get on the water!” Fractional is the future of boating, and has removed many of the barriers to a boating lifestyle. See you on the water!

George Bonelli
Chairman & Founder
The SailTime Group, LLC