How to buy owner's time?

[CatamaFan]

Hello fellow cruisers!
I'm interested in buying owner's time on a Sunsail or Moorings Catamaran in June (7 days anytime between the 7th to the 28th). However I've never purchased time from an owner and would like to know more about how to proceed. Specifically, can you help me with more information about the process of finding an owner with time to sell, expected costs, and anything else a first timer would need to know?
Thank you in advance for your advice!
Best,
CB

[maytrix]

Best way to find time is to check Sailonline.com and look at the discount charters section.

Then you just contact an owner and work out the details. The post here doesn't hurt either and someone with time might contact you too.

[CatamaFan]

Thanks Matrix, I'll check out that website. I appreciate the advice.
Best,
CB

[dolsenwi]

CatamaFan,
Would you be willing to share the results of your efforts with me? Thanks, Dave

[wadesmith]

Check out our boat - we are selling fractional shares. She is available strictly for crewed charters, as she has so many widgets aboard, we don't trust her to bareboat. go to Catamaran The Sweetest Thing, or ask for details if you might be interested by contacting me at wade@yachtsweetestthing.com.

[maytrix]

Originally Posted by wadesmith

Check out our boat - we are selling fractional shares. She is available strictly for crewed charters, as she has so many widgets aboard, we don't trust her to bareboat. go to Catamaran The Sweetest Thing, or ask for details if you might be interested by contacting me at wade@yachtsweetestthing.com.

Nice looking Cat - Saw her at Leverick when we were there in May.

[CatamaFan]

Originally Posted by dolsenwi

CatamaFan,
Would you be willing to share the results of your efforts with me? Thanks, Dave

Dave,
I found that if you are booking a trip 8 months to a year ahead of time, you should use Sailonline.com to buy time from owners. This will save you several thousand dollars on your charter. If you book closer to your charter date, the discounts are still better than the charter company discounts, but may be about the same as those found on latesail.com. The problem I found is that most owner's time is already completely booked for the year right now. Moral of the story would be to book early through an owner or late using the latesail discounts (either through their site or through contacting the charter agencies directly).
Best,
Corb

[maytrix]

Good advice Corb. As an owner with Moorings, I can say that time sells fast. All my 2013 time sold before 2013 was over for use in May and June. Haven't even listed my time for 2014 yet since I know it goes so fast.

[Mr D]

If you still are looking, I may have some owner's time available.