An Introduction to Fractional Sailing

There are many good reasons to own a boat. Its fun, it's sporting, it's romantic and it's adventurous. It bonds family and friends together for special memories. There's that irresistible pull of the ocean that says, "Let's go!" And, of course, there's a certain prestige in owning a well maintained yacht. However there are also many reasons not to. The costs associated with maintaining your own yacht are high, and so is the time commitment required. Mortgage, maintenance, dockage, insurance, upgrades, storage and cleaning are a year-round personal and financial commitment.

Fractional Sailing programs remove all of the negative aspects of boating and allow you to enjoy your time on the water with friends and family. Fractional Sailing is day to day access to a new luxury sailboat in your local waterway; it makes sailing practical, cost effective and simple. Program members may take a new sailing yacht out for a few hours after work, getaway for a weekend, or cruise for an entire week. If you're looking for a flexible, no commitment way to sail your luxury dream yacht then you've found it in fractional sailing.

OK, now that we have your attention, let's take a look at some of the highlights of fractional sailing programs. Most programs allow you to sail a beautiful new sailboat in your local waterways and allow morning, afternoon, evening, overnight, weekend and week long time slots. The more established programs use proprietary scheduling technology, usually accessed via the internet, to allow members to book time on their sailboat. To help keep member costs down most programs also employ some type of electronic check-in and check-out system at the boat that removes the need for a staff member on the dock. Members incur no maintenance, bank notes, slip fees, or insurance costs; they simply pay one low annual or monthly fee to the management company.

A typical program will allow for seven guaranteed uses per month, plus as available use, and is generally all inclusive for less than a typical owner would pay for slip fees and fuel alone. If the program is structured correctly there should be no commitments and no buying or selling, make sure you have an experienced professional management team working for you. With the right Fractional Sailing program you will find yourself in top of the line facilities sailing on a fully loaded sailboat: roller furling jibs and main sails, modern electronics, flat panel TV's with DVD players, electric heads, and powerful reliable diesel engines are just some of the features you can expect to find.

Most yacht owners realistically sail their boats 2-3 times per month. The cost of ownership is high; slip fees are $250-$450 per month, the bank note varies depending on the quality of the yacht but can range from $300 to well into the thousands, maintenance is expensive and time consuming, quality comprehensive insurance is difficult to obtain and expensive, the list goes on and on; fuel, pump-out, bottom paint, haul outs…..

Previously the only alternative to ownership was chartering. Chartering a yacht in a destination vacation area is usually an enjoyable experience, however it is still expensive, and you are only on the water for the duration of your vacation. Fractional Sailing programs give you the ability to sail in your local waterways for a day, evening, half day, weekend, week or even just a few hours all season long. All the hassles, worries and expenses associated with yacht ownership are handled by the management company. Check out your local Fractional Sailing program today!

Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Cruising Sailing" article category.

People interested in the above article "An Introduction to Fractional Sailing" are also interested in the related articles listed below:

 

Cruise Ship for Seniors

If you are concerned with your safety when traveling alone, you may want to invite along family or your senior friends. With a large number of price reductions, it is quite possible that you can all enjoy a vacation on board a cruise ship, without having to go broke.

Yachting in Croatia

Croatia is one of the countries well-known as nautical paradises. The nature is still untouched and the coast remained unpolluted and free of huge building and houses. Alongside its 5800 km long coast there are thousand islands which are very tempting for ones who want to explore. Numerous small bays and crystal clear sea are one of the reasons why passionate yachtsmen often visit Adriatic. The Croatian coats is relatively near the Middle-European cities (a flight from London lasts for 2hrs , from Munich for just one hour).

What is a Turkish Gulet?

Since it was called Halicarnassus by the ancient Greeks, Bodrum has been famous for its shipyards. Today the town of Içmeler, a short distance away, manufactures more wooden yachts than anywhere else in Europe. So successful are their ships that no holiday in Turkey is now complete without the addition of a ‘Gulet’ cruise. But what is a Gulet? And what features do they offer?

Cruise Ships: Advice On A Romantic Getaway for Couples

With large workloads, busy schedules, and children, many couples need a break from their daily routines. This break sometimes comes in the form of a romantic getaway. If you and your partner are looking for your next romantic adventure, you may want to look at the possibility of going on a cruise.

Cruise Ships: Preparing For Your Voyage

When it comes to vacationing aboard a cruise ship, many individuals consider preparation to be the luggage that they plan to bring with them. Packing for your cruise ship vacation is important; however, it is not the only preparation that should happen. Preparation shouldn’t wait until the week before your trip. Rather, it should start as soon as you make your cruise ship reservation.

Guidance On Cruise Ship Activities Geared Towards Teenagers

When it comes to taking a family holiday, it is often hard to find a vacation destination that targets the whole family. This can become even more difficult when teenagers are involved. If you and your family are concerned in having a relaxing, yet exciting vacation, you are encouraged to think about vacationing aboard a cruise ship.

Our Review of the Holland American Lines Cruise Ship Oosterdam

We review our second cruise on the Oosterdam, a vacation cruise to the Mexican Riviera, and we had a great time. We describe our shore excursions and provide our comments on the food and service. In 1871 Holland America Lines began its history as the Nederlandsche - Amerikaansche Stoomvaart Maatwsschappij. Headquartered in Rotterdam Holland, and providing service to the Americas, it became known as Holland America Line...