| If you've dreamed of sailing the seven seas, but | | | | timeshare programs will even go as far as to include |
| don't necessarily have the bank account to buy a | | | | maintenance, fuel and so on in the initial price. This |
| luxury vessel, don't despair. There are ways to make | | | | leaves the member responsible for simply safely |
| that dream happen without breaking your bank. | | | | piloting the vessel, keeping it clean and enjoying their |
| Boat timeshares offer a unique vacationing | | | | high seas adventure with their family and friends for |
| experience for almost any budget. By getting | | | | a fraction of the price of owning a yacht themselves. |
| involved in a timeshare, you have the right to use | | | | The insurance, boat licensing and other worries are |
| that luxury vessel to make your dreams come true, | | | | generally handled by the timeshare company itself. |
| but you alone are not solely responsible for all the | | | | For those who lack the skills to man their own |
| expenses. Timeshares provide an excellent way for | | | | vessels, many boat timeshares will provide a crew |
| someone not willing or able to take on the expense | | | | including a captain, instructor, and/or cook at a small |
| of purchasing a great vacationing boat themselves to | | | | additional cost. One company in particular, Trade |
| still experience the adventure of life on the water. | | | | Winds Cruise Club, offers all-inclusive cabin rentals and |
| A variety of companies offer would-be Captain | | | | is RCI's (Resorts Condominiums International) only |
| Ahab's the ability to take to the sea without shelling | | | | Caribbean yachting affiliate. As an RCI Member, you |
| out a lot of cash. Boat timeshare companies and | | | | have the option of exchanging your timeshare week |
| programs are readily available and accessible across | | | | for a cabin space onboard crewed catamaran |
| the Internet. Boating timeshare companies are active | | | | charters. |
| all over the world with even some finding their | | | | So, what is pricing like for these nautical adventures? |
| homes on America's Great Lakes. | | | | Not bad considering a luxury boat can cost thousands |
| Basically, a boat timeshare offers a sailor a chance to | | | | and thousands of dollars. And even better when you |
| buy into a piece of a boat for a season. Similar to a | | | | consider buying your own boat doesn't include fuel, |
| yacht club, but without all the expenses of owning | | | | maintenance, licensing and insurance costs and so on! |
| your own yacht, these programs lets sailors sail minus | | | | A timeshare that covers an entire boating season |
| the headaches. Some programs allow members to | | | | can cost upwards of $7,000, a reasonable expense |
| purchase blocks of time over the course of a sailing | | | | considering the headaches removed by taking part in |
| season to use a boat. Many programs work by giving | | | | such a venture. |
| several "skippers" the same boat during the sailing | | | | To learn more about boat timeshares and the unique |
| season. These skippers book multiple sail times, show | | | | vacation opportunities they provide, just log on to |
| up, sail, have a blast and return the boat for the next | | | | the Internet and visit locations such as to do a |
| skipper to take over. | | | | thorough search. A variety of companies with |
| While boat timeshares provide everything needed to | | | | different programs and options are operating in a |
| sail, members still are responsible for making sure the | | | | bevy of locations around the world. |
| boat is in good condition when it's returned. Swabbing | | | | © Copyright 2004 by Dana Sanders. All rights |
| the deck isn't out of the question. However, many | | | | reserved. |