Stress-free boating

The new Rayglass 3500 is latest addition to Ownaship’s fleet – a company that offers you an on-the-water lifestyle without the hassle of owning a boat.

Based at Auckland’s Westhaven, Ownaship is a boatsharing company geared to simplifying boating for timehungry people and making luxury boating affordable.

It operates 12 vessels – powerboats and yachts – ranging from 7m to 17m in size. Clients buy shares in the boats and receive an allocated number of days for using them. The days are spread across the year, and include periods in peak season and holidays.

Most of the vessels live in the Orams drystack – larger boats are in nearby berths. This accessibility feature that makes using the boats particularly easy. Customers arrive to find the boat in the water, fullyfuelled and ready to go.

As a walk-on-walk-off service, Ownaship boats are pre-checked for every departure and equipped with fresh linen, beach towels, crockery and cutlery. At the end of the day, the vessel is delivered back to the Orams jetty or berth. Staff clean, valet and service the vessel in preparation for the next booking.

The operation eliminates maintenance, insurance, towing and storage issues – effectively allowing shareholders to enjoy a boating lifestyle without the associated demands of owning a boat.

An online booking system simplifies the reservation process.

bow down, and the 3500 is fun to throw into the turns, which it carves with aplomb. At cruising speed, bringing the tabs up a bit gives the most comfortable ride and best fuel efficiency, but even when they are right down there’s no tendency for the 3500 to bow steer.

Although it gives the impression of being a large boat from the inside, the 3500’s modest dimensions mean it’s easy to manage come docking time, aided by a Side Power bow thruster and twin engines.

GENUINE LIFESTYLE ALTERNATIVE

The Rayglass 3500 offers New Zealand boaters a locally-produced vessel designed with Kiwi-style boating in mind. Rayglass wanted the 3500 to offer a lifestyle alternative to a seaside bach or motorhome. It’s certainly an attractive option: smart looking, well-built, nicely finished and well-priced. It ticks a whole lot of boxes for Kiwi boaters, whether families, couples or partners sharing a boat. B

“It’s designed to fit a 12m berth, or a dry stack, but it feels more like a 40-footer from the inside looking out.”