Boat finance can sometimes be an extraordinarily complex business when you get into the realms of the superyachts which are supposedly the playthings of the mega-rich, at the exclusive beck and call – sometimes at very short notice - of their wealthy owners writes W M Nixon.
In such cases, it can be interesting to find the many instances in which this supposed exclusivity of spur-of-the-moment use is severely restricted within a certain allocated timespan. Outside that “owner’s own” period, the floating pleasure palace has to work very hard indeed for her living as a charter yacht, functioning within a network of financial structures.
Bearing this in mind, for a complete change today we look at a couple of boat-owning propositions which many folk could comfortably contemplate without making an unduly large dent in their current account - an H Boat at €7,750, and a quarter share in a First 305 at €4000.
Commercially speaking, the First 305 is the more intriguing, as the boat is based in Gouvia Marina in Corfu, with the Ionian Islands – arguably the best area for gentle cruising in all Greece –within easy reach. The Beneteau First 305 is a child of the 1980s – this one is 1985 – which evolved from a competitive Half Ton design, resulting in a roomy 30-footer with good if not luxurious accommodation.
Having some sort of timeshare arrangement in a boat which is based more than three thousand miles away may seem like a leap in the dark. But in the era of Ryanair, the distance in terms of time might well be the equivalent of basing your boat in West Cork or Kerry, and despite the current spell of fabulous weather throughout Ireland, the better bet weatherwise continues to be Corfu.
Obviously this quarter share proposition is something which would have to be researched very carefully indeed, and though the sum is modest, it has to be remembered that paying it will bring responsibilities just as it will bring privileges of private boat use.
The H Boat on offer from Leinster Boats makes for a remarkable coincidence, for it was only last Saturday in the SailSat blog that I happened to be writing in praise of a noted sailing man and his wife, who cruise in style in an immaculate example of this thoroughbred design by Hans Groop of Finland.
The 1980-built boat in question for sale in Ireland is one I know well, having raced against her for many years in Howth, where her ease of handling with very manageable sails in a classic fractional rig made our efforts with a standard masthead rig with its big genoa seem very hard work indeed – particularly when, as did happen now and again and then some, the H Boat effortlessly beat us.
Of course the accommodation is limited, though describing it as “full crawling headroom” is much too brutal – it works well and comfortably for those accustomed to it. As for the H Boat’s handling characteristics – they’re a delight. “Thoroughbred” is the only word that will do.
