Boat co-op?

[Nauti Natured]

Guys,

Box got my wheels turning on the idea of a boat co-op amongst SFC members.... Im looking for some feedback.

Basically the idea is that everyone who wants to be a part of it ... say we find 250 people that want to put in a grand each. We end up with $250k to purchase a boat or boats for use by the co-op members.

OBVIOUSLY there are A LOT of potential conflicts, and headaches ... there would have to be some very clear guidelines and legal agreements BUT think about if we can get past them? A lot of people that could not afford to get out before can now get out and enjoy their own boat (or boats) at a fraction of the cost.

Just thinking out loud here ... there would also have to be some sort of monthly dues for maintenance, slip, etc. Are the obsticles too big? Am I crazy here?

[neilinov]

Not a far fetched idea. There was a company at the Miami boat show that had these type of deals going. They usually had 8-10 shares and a management fee. It was more or less like a time share. The owners were guaranteed certain weeks on the yacht, and the fees paid for the maint. and dockage etc. It was a low cost alternative to ownership, but I'm sure there are plenty of headaches to go with it. You give up a lot of freedom when you go into fractional ownership.

[WAHOONBOX]

I'M IN DUDE...

AS PART OF THIS BOATING CO-OP , I WOULD NOW LIKE TO RESERVE THE FIRST SATURDAY OF APRIL , MAY, JUNE, JULY, THE BIG ROCK WEEK AND LABOR DAY WEEKEND AS MY DESIGNATED FISHING DAYS.


WHERE DO I SEND THE GRAND TO?


SERIOUSLY THOUGH....AT A HUNDRED A SHARE OF THE $78,000 RIG YOU TALKED ABOUT...... I AM IN FOR 100 CLAMS ON THE 32 FOOTER......OWNERSHIP OF 1/780th OF THAT BOAT WOULD BE BETTER THAN ZERO

I WOULD THEN OFFER MYSELF UP TO THE OTHER 779 CO-OP MEMBERS AS A PIT SLAVE FOR HIRE





MAYBE ONLY 78 MEMBERS IS A BETTER IDEA

[Nauti Natured]

I WOULD THEN OFFER MYSELF UP TO THE OTHER 779 CO-OP MEMBERS AS A PIT SLAVE FOR HIRE


MAYBE ONLY 78 MEMBERS IS A BETTER IDEA

Seriously, that is one of the reasons that I think this would be a great idea... it could support a lot of the people and businesses that are on the board.

I agree that 78 or less is probably a much better idea

[mate4hire]

You are still gonna have to pay for fuel and bait. Plus monthly fees for dockage, maintainmence etc etc. Would probably want a mate; would you agree on who you would want full time or each group have their own freelance guy. Tackle? is that a free for all you have to bring you own. To many questions for to many people and to much money for limited access. Not trying to be to negative but off the top of my head i dont see how it could work.

[netman9]

I would not be in a boat if I was not able to split with my brother. It makes a huge difference when you get half off on most things involved, including the annual cleaning we do 2X a year, repairs, reel maintenance, rigging etc.. I think the co-op would work with small gruops if the rules are laid out for agreement.

[pitch bait]

There is one here in Palm Beach my boss is a member if it. They have center consoles up to 40'. He loves it and has had no complaints. I think it was alittle more expensive but they have almost 30 boats. I think it is called boat fleet.

[Nauti Natured]

I would not be in a boat if I was not able to split with my brother. It makes a huge difference when you get half off on most things involved, including the annual cleaning we do 2X a year, repairs, reel maintenance, rigging etc.. I think the co-op would work with small gruops if the rules are laid out for agreement.

Netman,

These are my thoughts too. I dont think there is any way for it to work with alrge groups but with smaller groups and a very clear understanding of the rules, I think it could work.

[Nauti Natured]

You are still gonna have to pay for fuel and bait. Plus monthly fees for dockage, maintainmence etc etc. Would probably want a mate; would you agree on who you would want full time or each group have their own freelance guy. Tackle? is that a free for all you have to bring you own. To many questions for to many people and to much money for limited access. Not trying to be to negative but off the top of my head i dont see how it could work.

Mate,

Off the cuff answers to a few of your questions:

1. Everyone pays for their own fuel and leaves the boat full at the end of the trip or you are fined. Just like a rental car.

2. Bait and tackle should be brought and the responsibilty of each partner unless there are certain things that are agreed upon to stay with the boat.

3. I personally would not want a mate but if someone did they would bring their own.

4. Dockage, maintenance, subscriptions (Sea Tow, etc.) would be split amongst the partners evenly on top of the original enrollment.... maybe billed monthly or quarterly.


Obviously there are a lot of questions... that is why I started this thread. I dont know all the answers BUT if they could be answered and agreed upon, it could save some people a lot of money as opposed to doing it on your own. I agree that with too many people it would be impossible. I think with groups up to ten, at the max, it could work well.

[Banshee]

Not to be bad natured but there is already alot of these co-op things , they are called Charterboats. You get on, go fishing, get off with your fish. No worries about fuel, maintence, dock fee insurance. trust me chartering is way much cheaper than owning. I kmow cause I own one.