How would you like to own a $300,000+ brand new flybridge cruiser in the Whitsundays for approximately $25,000 and have someone else arrange service and maintenance? Sounds impossible? Too good to be true! The answer is to share the boat.

Similar arrangements are employed in real estate, corporate aircraft and racehorse syndication. The concept is not even new to boating – casual co-ownership schemes, where mates go “halves” or a private boat owner advertises shares in the classified, are common practice.

Only recently have such formalised marine management syndicates become more common. In some ways boat-sharing schemes reflect the current economic and social climate, which in turn has spurred a change in boat usage. Owning a large boat is a luxury in an era of depressed dollars, varying consumer confidence, interest rate uncertainty, high fuel bills and expensive maintenance work. Most boat owners find they no longer have the time to use their boat as often as they would like, let alone maintain it and their hard earned dollars would be better invested in the property or monetary markets. On the other side of the coin there are those on a modest budget who will be able to enjoy a larger boat for their money and won’t be solely stuck with marina bills, unexpected maintenance bills and a depreciation loss. In the past people have usually managed to buy a larger boat by buying a second hand boat. They eventually find that maintenance costs become colossal and the boat ends up back on the market yet again usually at an appreciable discount just to get rid of it. If you have recently been to a marina, there are rows and rows of boats, both large and small all going nowhere. Some of the boats are rarely used and when the owner eventually decides to use the boat a variety of problems may require an expensive maintenance program prior to use. Whitsunday Boat Share will solve all these problems.

Since the late 70’s the pristine Whitsunday area has been almost the exclusive domain of the bare boat sailor and the locals fortunate to own their own boat. A few hardy power boat enthusiasts from southern parts either manage to drive their boats north along the Queensland coast while others drag their trailer boats behind the family vehicle to this sailor’s paradise. Now there is a choice. For a fraction of the cost of owning their own boat anybody can become a part owner in a fully equipped large boat without the large financial outlay and worry about maintenance. After all most people only manage to use their own boats for a few weeks a year and for the rest of the time their asset sits deteriorating in a marina.

Recently a large number of southern escapees have purchased units or other real estate in the Airlie Beach / Cannonvale area. Sometimes they may only spend 3 or 4 weeks annually in the area before heading back home. Because they are only in the area for a relatively short time it is not feasible to purchase a boat. Now they have the choice. Whitsunday Boat Share.

Whitsunday Boat Share offers ownership in a brand new boat with a boat syndicate. A selection of vessels is now available with a variety of fit-outs to suit everybody. The full range of Deep V boats, ranging from the 260 Flybridge model, 310 Flybridge, 310S Flybridge, 310S Express cruiser (released at the 2006 Sanctuary Cove Boat show) and the top of the range 340 Flybridge gamefishing boat are all now available.

The following vessels are available –

Deep V 260 Flybridge Cruiser
- 300hp Yanmar Diesel Bravo 2 stern drive
- Commencing 30/06/2007
Deep V 310 Express/bridge deck cruiser - 350hp Volvo D6 Diesel Duo prop Stern Drive
- Commencing 30/06/2007
Deep V 310 Flybridge Cruiser
– 350hp Volvo D6 Diesel Duo prop Stern Drive
- Commencing 30/06/2007
Deep V 310 Flybridge Cruiser
– Twin 250hp Iveco NEF Diesels
- Commencing 30/06/2007
*Deep V 340 Flybridge cruiser
- Twin 400hp Iveco NEF diesels
- Available later
*Deep V 400 Flybridge cruiser
– Twin 500hp Yanmar diesels
- Available later

All engine options are diesel for added reliability, durability, safety, economy and enhanced resale value.

All vessels have been fitted out to a high standard and are complete down to the last knife, fork, cup and saucer.

Equipment levels vary from boat to boat but all include colour GPS plotter, depth sounder, VHF radio, and 3m dingy with 3 or 4 hp outboard (satellite telephone option also available). Most boats have air-conditioning and more than adequate refrigeration. Some boats have out riggers and may also have provision for a game chair to be fitted if required. Fishing equipment including game chairs will be available for hire.

Step on – step off
There is nothing worse than ending a perfect day on the water with hours of cleaning and maintenance to ensure your boat remains pristine. However with Whitsunday Boat Share, this is a thing of the past. After use by each owner the boat will be fully serviced, cleaned ready for the next scheduled owner to use. All you have to do is step on, enjoy and then step off.

There will be a management agreement between each syndicate and Whitsunday Boat Share which covers all joint costs such as insurance, maintenance, servicing, cleaning etc. These costs will be invoiced to the syndicate monthly and are estimated to be approximately $2,400 per annum per share or $200 per share per month. The only individual cost to the owner/user is for fuel and food. Even food supplies can be procured and stored on the boat prior to departure. Secure car parking is available and owners arriving by air can be met at Proserpine Airport and similarly returned to the airport. The 260, 310S and 310SE models can be removed from the water and transported on a specially designed heavy duty multi-roller trailer to a well equipped workshop for routine service and maintenance.

How often can I use my boat?
With a maximum of twelve owners the entitlement to use the boat is 28 days per year. An owner may purchase more than one share. A web site will be operated allowing owners to make bookings and also to facilitate swaps between various owners. Prior to using the boat on the first occasion each owner will be required to undertake a period of demonstration, familiarisation, tuition and practical experience.