25 questions to ask a fractional boat operator

If you’re thinking about joining a fractional boat operator, here are some questions to ask prospective clubs:

1. How long has the company been operational?

2. What do you believe are the strengths and weaknesses of the programme and why should I ultimately join this one in comparison to the choices available?

3. How many owners are there per yacht and can I buy larger shares, if so what are the benefits of this?

4. What precautions have been made to make sure the scheme is in accordance with International Laws?

5. Have you financially engineered the structure of the company to make the most of TAX and VAT allowances / exemptions? If so what are they?

6. What is the precise ownership relationship between me and my yacht?

7. What are the range of yachts you have available and how does this fit in with my requirements and lifestyle?

8. What locations does your fleet cover, is it local to one area or does it cover many?

9. What make and model of yacht is within the programme and what was is the rationale behind the choice of the individual yacht?

10. What precautions have been taken to ensure the quality and integrity of the yacht I buy into?

11. Can I personalise my yacht and can I have a significant say on the model we buy?

12. Are the yachts crewed and fully managed, what training and information do the crew receive?

13. How is my ownership invoiced - if there isn’t a membership fee, is the
company placing a margin on the yacht? If the answer is no to both – how does the company survive? If the answer is no to both beware you may be buying someone else’s problems.

14. How long am I tied into the ownership period for? And can I sell my share at any time?

15. What happens if the company fails?

16. What booking system is in place and is there any priority amongst members?

17. What costs are included in my maintenance and management fee – what do I receive for this and how are these costs calculated and billed?

18. Are there any additional fees or charges applicable in addition to the annual management fees?

19. Can I test the reservation process and visit a yacht before joining, and am I limited to using my own yacht or can I use others within the programme?

20. How is my liability protected in relation to other co-owners?

21. What are the insurance arrangements for the yacht and crew?

22. If I decide to join and get my membership confirmed, can I change my mind?

23. Can family and friends use the yachts without me being in attendance? How do you manage this?

24. What other services will I benefit from (concierge, private jets etc)

25. Have you got satisfied owners I can speak to?

This information is for the convenience of our readers. The inclusion of a company should not be construed as a recommendation or endorsement by Fractional Life. Please review our full Disclaimer for further information.

Articles

Any:
An Introduction to Fractionals

Art:
Fractional art donations prove charity starts at home

Handbags:
25 questions to ask about fractional handbag clubs

Boats & Yachts:
25 questions to ask a fractional boat operator
Fractional Boats in New Zealand
Pushing the (fractional) boat out
Boats & yachts- what's on offer?
Fractionalize This

Classic Cars:
25 questions to ask a fractional car club
Why opt for a 'fractional' classic car?
Classic Car Club Feature
Getting the most out of your fractional ownership experience
Why Not Rent?
You've Always Loved Cars?
Fractional Life hits Le Mans

Destination Clubs:
Lifestyle Asset Group: the best of both worlds
Relationship Selling to Todays Affluent Fractional Clientele
Mixed Use: Avoiding a mix up
Focus on the Registry Collection
DCs- Variety is the spice of (fractional) life
Fractional Property Glossary
Aspirational vs. Inspirational Media
Member Strategies For Lean Times
Brand Maintenance During An Implosion
What Goes Up Must Come Down...
Savings through Foreign Exchange
Fractional Finance Solutions
Destination Clubs- an alternative?
Fractional Ownership Heads to Europe
Private Residence Club Perspective Part 1
Quintess
Ultimate Resort
Calistoga Ranch
The Weybridge Collection
The Villas at The Grand del Mar
The Solstice Collection
Vacation Visions: Exceptional Exterior and Interior Designs of Residence and Destination Clubs 
Why the Boomers will change second home ownership in the US
Middle East Leisure Real Estate Market Booming
Bear Mountain Resort - A View from Paradise
New Association For Fractional Ownership
The New Vacation: A Time to Retune Re-Connect

Consultancy:
Profit Opportunities in Luxury Fractionals - A Summary

Exchange:
The Golden Rules of Fractionals

Racehorses:
A Horse by The Name of Fractional Life
Running Down a Dream

Corporate Hospitality:
So Long to the Suite Life

Aircraft & Jets:
25 questions to ask a fractional jet operator
Top tips for fractional jet travel
Jet Republic pilot applications reach new heights
Focus on Fractional Jet Europe
A closer look at fractional aviation
CoGoJets introduces jetpooling
Joining the jet set
Fly for a fraction of the cost
Flying without Wings
Can't afford that jet? Rent it
How Private Aviation Works

Legal Services:
Fractional ownership: is it timeshare in disguise?

Private Clubs:
A tale of two cities - Private residence clubs in San Francisco and London
The Italian Job: interview with Byrne Murphy of Palazzo Tornabuoni
Mixed Use: Avoiding a mix up
PRCs with added benefits
Northstars 'stay and play ' option
Private Residence Club Perspective
Fractional Property Glossary
What are the ingredients for the ideal Private Residence Club?
Savings through Foreign Exchange
Fractional Finance Solutions

Real estate:
Fractional Life in Ireland: For peat's sake!
Fractional Summit USA 2010- Speaker biographies
25 questions to ask about fractional property ownership
Fractional Summit Speaker Biographies
Fractional Property - The New Normal
Gay Community Embraces Fractional Property
Fractional Real Estate Investment Or Lifestyle Purchase?
Fractional Sales: Square Pegs In Round Holes?
Fractional Real Estate Commissions
Urban Fractionals
European Mixed-Use Resort Development in 2009
Mixed Use: Avoiding a mix up
Property- the legal issues
Fractional Holiday Getaways
Fractionals-Recession beaters?
State of fractionals
Fractional Property Glossary
Savings through Foreign Exchange
Fractional Finance Solutions
Fractional Property- the legal issues
Fractional Property Regulation
Fractional Ownership? We'll have a piece
Keep The Door Open
Why Fractional Property?
The Benefits of Fractional Ownership in Private Residence Clubs
Middle East Leisure Real Estate Market Booming
New Association For Fractional Ownership
Saving Homes, Homeowners and Banks Through Fractional Ownership?

Lifestyle:
Savings through Foreign Exchange
Convergence in the Fractional marketplace
The stock market for songwriters

Supercars:
25+ questions to ask a fractional car club
Live The High Life In A Fractional Supercar
Why Individuals Should Join A Supercar Club
Why opt for a 'fractional' supercar?
Focus on Marque II
Eco-road-warriors- How will the supercar club line-up of the future change?
Fresh metal- What's new on the supercar front?
So Why Not Buy?
You've Always Loved Cars?
Supercars- The cars of 2006/7
Let's Take The Lamborghini
Fractional Life hits Le Mans
Ascari Racing Festival Weekend
Fractional Supercars at the MPH Show
GROUP20 The SuperCar Club announce their 2007 Road Show in aid of Children In Need
New supercar club with green credentials

Luxury Motorhomes:
Denver RV show ready to roll

Wine & Spirits:
Wine