Sure, there have been a lot of dire predictions about how ride sharing and the likes of Uber and Lyft will dramatically decrease future rates of car ownership. But what automakers are fretting over is already happening in the boat business!
But here’s the good news: You have the opportunity to either make money or save it depending on which side of the boat ownership rift you’re sitting on.
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Rent your boat out or rent time on someone else’s boat
It’s been said that the two happiest days of boat owner’s life are the day he or she buys the vessel and the day he or she sells the vessel!
Boat ownership comes at a hefty price — there are slip fees, maintenance, insurance, operating costs and more.
Because of those steep financial obligations, sale boat production has fallen in the U.S. by 17% from 2011 through 2015. Meanwhile, the hiring of boats minus the crew or captain (what’s called ‘bareboat chartering’) has grown by 58% during the same time period. That’s according to Bonnier, a popular boating magazine publisher.
This trend actually two potential benefits for people who love the open seas.
If you own a boat, there are a variety of sites that let you rent out your boat when you’re not using it. According to Barron’s, this can bring in $1,500 to more than $10,000 a week depending on what kind of boat you’ve got.
If you like boating yet don’t want the hassles of owing, you too can use these sites below to get boat access when you want it at a fraction of the cost of owning. You may pay as little as $2,000 for a weekly rental of 40-footer, according to Barron’s.
Here are some sites to check out!
Boatbound – Rent a boat, with or without a captain. Powerboats and sailboats, anywhere in the country.
SailTime – Boat all season long on a new model yacht for a simple low monthly fee.
Boatsetter – Rent a powerboat, yacht or sailboat worldwide with or without a certified captain. No cancelation fees.
Freedom Boat Club – The world’s largest members-only boating club offering a simple alternative to boat ownership.
The Moorings – Primarily bareboat oriented but with a crewed yacht division as well.
Sunsail – Offers a large selection of sloops and catamarans bareboat in various countries.
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