MORE OWNASHIP OPTIONS
No matter what type of boatie you are, the new share options from Ownaship are sure to intrigue.
Ownaship – the country’s largest boat share management company – continues to go from strength to strength with the arrival this month of a Maritimo M51, a Lucia 40 sailing cat, and a fourth Rayglass 3500.
The arrival of the vessels comes just in time for the September boat show, where the company will also be presenting the just-launched Maritimo X60 and the recently-announced Fountaine Pajot 45 sailing cat, both joining the fleet next year.
Along with the rest of the Ownaship fleet, these boats will be based in Auckland, with the option to have them relocated to the Bay of Islands and other locations over the summer period.
“These new vessels reflect the growing popularity of the boat share concept in New Zealand,” says Ownaship director Simon Barker, who will be at the helm as the fleet grows from 10 to 18 over the next 12 months.
“Most of our new boats are divided between six shareholders – and this arrangement seems to press multiple buttons for boaties. People who favour the convenience of easy access to luxury boating – without the traditional worries associated with maintenance, berthage and insurance.”
In fact, the Maritimo M51 has been so successful that a second has been ordered – before the first even hit the water. All six shares were snapped up fairly quickly, and given the ongoing demand for the model, says Barker, “we needed another pretty smartly.”
Complementing the two M51s will be the new 19.4m X60, a bigger, even more stylish long-range cruiser, which sits somewhere between a
“These new vessels reflect the growing popularity of the boat share concept in New Zealand”
luxury launch and a superyacht. And while standard boat share options are structured around six owners, says Barker, “the X60 will be split into quarter shares, catering to an even more premium market.”
The new Fountaine Pajot 45 yacht, he adds, is a direct response to the growing popularity of catamarans – as is evidenced by the demand for Ownaship’s first catamaran, the French builder’s stylish Lucia 40, which also arrives this month.
“I think the interest in catamaran sailing reflects an evolving dynamic. Cats have masses of space, are supremely stable and comfortable, and are fantastic to sail, appealing to everyone from seasoned sailors to the complete novice.”
A share in a boat, Barker says, is a great opportunity for people to get into luxury boating at an affordable price. “It’s also a logical option for people who are time-poor; who want the convenience of just being able to show up and step on.
“Many people have boats like this on their bucket list, but for whatever reason it has remained out of reach. With a fractional ownership regime, it’s convenient and affordable, providing the emotional benefit of ownership without the hassle of owning a boat outright.”
Owners get an allocation of days per year based on their share size, plus unlimited standby days. With vessels split into six shares, for example, each shareholder is entitled to 57 days per annum, as well as unlimited standby days. Owners simply use an online booking system to book the dates they want.
“Ownaship is all about lowering the barriers to boating,” says Barker. “We want to make it easy for people to have the kind of boat, and the boating experience they want, without any of the hassle. To go boating all an owner has to do is turn up. At the end of the day, or the week, simply tie up and step off. It’s walk-on, walk-off boating.”