Mixed charter idea - Mediterranean to Caribbean - back and forth

[etoimene]

I was wondering did anybody think or try half-season ownership program - summer in Mediterranean and winter in Caribbean.

Obviously, not worth with smallish boat.

One could offer transfer experience (eg. ARC rally) in autumn and get some extra clients in low season.

Getting back to Med in spring would probably have to be done by professionals.

I was thinking about some worldwide charter firm (Moorings, DYC) but none of them offers anything similar.

What do you think?

[Dsanduril]

The entire super yacht charter industry is built on this model. The yachts travel to whatever location for prime season, then move on to the next location so as to keep busy for the entire year. I suspect you’ll find the economics don’t work well until you get to a level where you can charge a relatively high (undefined) weekly charter rate.

[Macblaze]

I've seen some captained "adventure yachts" that use this model. The boats a take a beating after the crossings so I imagine you have to up the maintenance and equipment costs substantially.

[etoimene]

@Dsanduril, thanks for the reminder. I did check some superyacht charter info, but long time ago. Definitely out of my league.

@Macblaze, yes, maintenance would be more expensive, but not more than 2x.

I am more concerned with transfer cost and risks. Also, it is not the same if you have 3-4 hours drive to the boat, or if you have to fly across the ocean.
My experience with charter companies is that you have to do some work yourself, sooner or later.

[Dsanduril]

The charter business, at least on boats of the size most of us here own, is a pretty low-margin business. Moving your boat across oceans, especially with pro crew, will eat into any profits pretty quickly. Factor in the additional wear/tear/maintenance....

[etoimene]

I had in mind 60 - 65 feet mono-hull, and even that might be too small. If you offer charter at least in one way (e.g. ARC rally for cruisers 3-4 k per person), then it might change a picture a bit. OK, maintenance will be higher, but still with good ROI.

Still investigating transfer cost (both ways).

[Mithril Bham]

Used to manage a 50ft BR. Winter Mexico. Summer Canadian Gulf Islands. Booked cabins Victoria to SF. Then SF to Cabo. Coming home Cabo to Hawaii then Hawaii to Victoria. Scare the hell out of me but never had an incident.

[abezzi]

Did this for few years, summer in the Med then crossing the Atlantic to be in the Caribbean in time to get clients for Christmas charter, then back to the Med leaving the Caribbean around April, and I did with my boats from 44 to 50 foot (owned by me) and then a couple of times with 100' yachts (just as a Captain, not owned by me ).
I can tell you that doing with your boat, even a 65 foot, at the end of the day is very stressful, time consuming and most of the time yours profit are almost negligible...maybe the best part were the Atlantic Crossing with friends, but then no revenue! It was always very very difficult to find paying guest for the West to East crossing, while was much easier the other way around.

If you have more questions let me know

[etoimene]

Thank you all very much!

My idea was to pay cargo west to east, but first quote is 45k USD. Ouch!

" yours profit are almost negligible" - got this info from other source too.

Seems that the only reason to do it is to finance YOUR Atlantic crossing, if you are into it.

[etoimene]

Originally Posted by etoimene

first quote is 45k USD. Ouch!

Next one 35k. Much better!

60 ft mono, Caribbean to south of Italy.