BuilderG specifically asks,
“If a person or couple is considering the lifestyle and just not sure if it’s truly for them…” For such people it’s a sensible scenario. To take part in the actual ups and downs on a
liveaboard cruising boat, (as distinct from a charter vacation), is an excellent way for “dreamers” to find out if it’s for them, and also what type of vessel might best suit them.
Yes, there is a market for it. I know, because I’ve done it.
During our
liveaboard years in the
Mediterranean we specifically marketed ourselves to such people, and the variations therein. i.e. people who had never sailed before, people with
children, (which we had on board at the time), a man with only one arm, who wanted to find out if he could handle a boat, and of course, the people who hoped to buy a boat and sail away into the blue yonder. And by the way, at least three of our “customers” actually did it.
That was a long time ago, in
Europe. I think it’s different now.
The big problem may be summed up in one word “liability.”
Assuming he has cruising
insurance, the OP might get a shock if he approaches them and asks, “Can we take newbies aboard for a month, and show them our lifestyle?” The insurance assessor probably won’t see the romantic side of the deal at all. If you can even arrange—and more importantly pay for—such insurance, you are home and dry, but if not, you have a problem…
If the boat is damaged enough for a claim and your insurance find out your “guests” were actually paying, you can kiss your claim goodbye. If the guests are also injured they might no be too disposed to keep the secret.
How you overcome this conundrum, with people you have never met, is between you and them. But whatever your intent and whatever you agree might suddenly become different in the event of serious injury.
Nowadays, even for actual friends, we require a “hold harmless” agreement signed on the clear understanding that they make no insurance claim on us, in the event of…anything. But, in the extreme, say a loss of life, we are pretty sure even that might not hold up too well.
All the other differences from a regular charter are easy to agree. Yes they agree to do some cooking and cleaning, yes they agree to help sail the boat, yes they agree to help with repairs, yes they agree to do the
shopping, etc. etc.
Unfortunately BuilderG’s large
catamaran might not be the best platform for such people—unless they can consider
buying one themselves, which I would guess will reduce his market considerably. If it was me seeking the experience, I would want a boat I could conceivably buy, assuming the result turned out to be positive.
But do not let this deter you. There is no harm in advertising the proposition, and see what happens.