Ownership FAQs

You do - entirely. Unlike a boat syndicate or share scheme, you are the sole owner of the vessel. You have all the legal benefits and rights of ownership without the day-to-day costs, maintenance burden, and time commitment that traditional ownership entails. And get to regularly sail here at your local base.

You receive the residual income generated by SailTime members using your vessel, after maintenance and berthing costs, together with  SailTime's management fee, are covered. Because SailTime's membership program generates consistent demand year-round, this income tends to be reliable rather than seasonal. The exact amount depends on the vessel size and your base location - contact us for an indicative business plan specific to your situation.

SailTime professionally manages owner vessels for five to six years. At the end of that term, you have three options: keep the boat for your own personal use, we will assist you in selling it on the open market, or trade it in and enter into a new agreement with a newer vessel. Any of these options leaves you with a quality SailTime sailing experience and, thanks to the income generated during the program, a much better financial position than traditional ownership would have delivered.

SailTime only works with vessel suppliers whose boats hold their value well. Depreciation is steepest in years one and two, levels off by year three, and flattens significantly by year five for a well-maintained vessel. Because SailTime covers all maintenance, cleaning and servicing throughout the program, boats that complete the full term typically still look and sail like new, which supports strong resale values. When all operating costs are taken into account, owners come out ahead of where traditional ownership would have left them.

In most cases, the membership income generated by your vessel covers all operating costs and SailTime's management fee, meaning your net monthly outgoings can be significantly reduced compared to traditional ownership. Surplus income is paid to you and can be applied directly to your marine finance repayments. The exact position depends on vessel size, base location and market conditions - with 17 years experience to draw on we're happy to walk you through realistic figures.

A deposit of around 20% of the purchase price is typical, though some owner-members choose to put down a higher percentage to reduce their finance commitments. If finance is required, SailTime can introduce you to marine finance specialists who understand the program and can fast-track your application or you're free to arrange your own financing.

SailTime manages and pays for all of these on your behalf. This includes professional cleaning each month, scheduled servicing, repairs, annual haul-out and antifouling, comprehensive insurance coverage, and berthing at a first-class marina. You receive a detailed monthly financial summary so you always know exactly what has been spent and what income has been generated.

SailTime only accepts new or near-new vessels into the program. This ensures a consistent, high-quality experience for members across all bases and protects the residual value of owner vessels. If you're considering purchasing a new boat specifically for the program, we'll guide you through the entire process from vessel selection and specification through to delivery and commissioning.

SailTime works with world-class manufacturers across sailing yachts, catamarans and powerboats. All vessels are well equipped as standard - including chart plotter, autopilot, electric windlass, self-furling jib, bimini, dodger, galley equipment and safety gear certified to AMSA safety standards. We carry out an extensive evaluation before working with any new manufacturer or vessel type.

This is one of the most common questions prospective owners ask and it's a fair one. The key difference between SailTime and charter or hire programs is that your boat is used exclusively by regular SailTime members. These are people who return to the same vessel month after month and develop a genuine sense of pride and responsibility towards it. This is fundamentally different from one-off charter guests who have no ongoing relationship with the boat. Boats that have been in the SailTime program for four or more years consistently still look and sail like new.

Yes. As the owner, you have access to your vessel at weekends, during the week, overnight, for the day or just for a few hours - subject to existing member bookings and peak season demand. You also receive an owner's GOLD membership, giving you guaranteed sail times each month and only owners are able to access the boat on New Years Eve.

Yes, with nine months' notice, you can remove your boat from the SailTime program. This gives us sufficient time to manage member transitions fairly and professionally.

In the unlikely event that a base closes, you would be offered an alternative base location within the SailTime network to continue the program. SailTime would actively work to appoint a new base owner at your location. As the sole owner of your vessel, you would always retain the right to remove or sell your boat.

Potentially, yes — though tax implications vary by individual circumstance and should be discussed with your accountant or financial advisor before making any decisions. Many SailTime owner-members find there are meaningful tax advantages available, including depreciation benefits. We strongly encourage you to explore this with a specialist before proceeding.

The best first step is a no-obligation conversation. Call us on 1300 944 974 or complete our enquiry form and we'll walk you through the program in detail - including current vessel availability, indicative financial figures for your preferred base, and the process from here to having your boat in the water.