Boat 'Swapping' ?

[womensetsail]

We own a 36' catamaran in SW Florida and don't have time (yet!) to blue water cruise. (We are still working.) We would like to bareboat charter in Greece or Sweden for two or three weeks vacation and we've been thinking about "swapping" our boat for another's sailboat in these locations. There are a few boat vacation swapping sites on the net and we're wondering if anyone has ever done this? We keep our boat in pristine condition and wouldn't want just anyone at the helm, but the swapping idea has our attention. Any comments on this?

Thanks!

[scook1]

It certainly sounds intriguing. I am certain that you would want to have a résumé of the person that you planned on leaving in charge of your boat. Chances are, they would want one as well. Is insurance something to think about as well?
Spencer

[tager]

Depends upon how protective you are of your wife, I mean, boat.

[captainKJ]

I was thinking that it might have a better chance of working if you had a boat-wife swapping deal all in one

count me in

[boatman61]

I believe I saw a post on here from someone in the Med looking for a similar thing... I think he had a Mono tho'

[womensetsail]

..for the serious reply. We have experience on both monos and cats so we wouldn't be picky. I'll try to search for that post.


This is one of the swap sites:

Boat swap - Exchange your boat and discover new waterways and boating areas

Any {serious} thoughts anyone???

[hummingway]

People do let their boats out for charter and I suppose swapping isn't much different. I wouldn't do it but were I too I would take a look at the agreements used by charters and use that as a starting point.

I would swap with someone that I felt I knew well enough to trust since the character and skill of the person would be important but not with a stranger.

[Dragon Lady]

I suppose it's the same or even better than chartering your boat out but I'd want to meet the person taking my boat and be confident in there ability before letting them loose.
I'm amazed at how many very experienced sailors I know whom have no idea what the're doing on their own boat let alone giving them my boat.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Dragon Lady

I'm amazed at how many very experienced sailors I know whom have no idea what the're doing on their own boat let alone giving them my boat.

LOL... its all that rum....

[capngeo]

If you ever do find someone to swap, I spend half my time in Nokomis and my S/O lives in Harbour Heights... I would be glad to offer assistance to your charter should the need arise (I hold a 100 ton lic)

[skipmac]

For me to consider a boat swap I would first make sure my insurance would completely cover any damage or loss.