fractional yacht ownership uk

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Compass Articles

• February 17, 2024

Fractional Yacht Ownership: Everything You Need to Know

Thinking about getting into yachting but worried about the cost and hassle? There’s an option you might not have considered: fractional yacht ownership. This guide will explain what it is, how it works, and why it could be a great choice for you.

What is Fractional Yacht Ownership?

Fractional yacht ownership means you share the cost and access to a yacht with other people. Instead of buying a whole yacht by yourself (which can be pretty expensive and a lot to look after), you own a part of it. It’s like owning a slice of the pie. You get to enjoy the yacht for certain times of the year without dealing with all the headaches of full ownership.

• Saves Money : Sharing the costs means you spend less money but still get the luxury experience.
• Less Work for You : There’s a company that takes care of maintenance and everything else. You just show up and enjoy.
• More Options : You’re not stuck with one yacht or place. You can try different yachts and locations over time.

How Does It Work?

Fractional yacht ownership isn’t complicated. Here’s a quick rundown of how most people do it.

Choosing a Program

There are lots of different options out there, so you’ll want to find one that fits what you’re looking for in terms of yacht type, location, and how often you’d like to use it.

The Agreement

You and the other owners sign a contract that spells out everything important, like who gets the yacht when and who pays for what. This helps keep everyone on the same page.

Time to Sail

You book your time on the yacht based on the system the managing company sets up. It’s designed to be fair so everyone gets their turn without any fuss.

Why Consider Fractional Yacht Ownership?

Here are some of the big reasons people like fractional yacht ownership:

• It’s Affordable : You get the luxury yacht experience without the full cost.
• It’s Easy : The managing company handles the hard stuff. You enjoy the sail.
• You Have Choices : Try different yachts and visit different places without being tied down.
• Meet New People : You’ll be part of a community of yacht owners. Great for networking and making friends.

Is It Right for You?

If you love the idea of sailing on a yacht but don’t want to deal with all the expenses and hassle, fractional ownership could be perfect. It’s all about whether you want the perks of yacht life without the full commitment of owning one outright.

• Ideal for people who want to sail part-time.
• Great if you love trying new experiences and locations.

In the end, if getting onto the water in a hassle-free, cost-effective way sounds good to you, it might be worth looking into more. And if you’re looking for a trusted partner in your yacht ownership journey, Fly Yachts is here to help. We know the ins and outs of fractional ownership and can guide you through the process, making sure you find the right fit for your sailing dreams.

Fly Yachts offers everything for those interested in yachts, from buying and selling to planning a yacht trip. If you’re looking to buy a yacht, theirs  Yachts for Sale  page lists numerous luxury options. For custom yacht enthusiasts, the  Build a Yacht  page details how you can create your dream yacht. Sellers will find the  Sell Your Yacht  page helpful for navigating the sales process. For those dreaming of a yacht vacation, check out yacht rental choices on the  Yachts Charter  page and discover beautiful travel spots on the  Charter Destinations  page. Learn about Fly Yachts’ experience and services by visiting the  About Us  page. The  Compass Articles  page is great for reading up on yachting topics. Aviation fans might be interested in the luxury  Aircraft for Sale . For the latest yachting updates, swing by the  Gulfstream News  page. To get in touch or for more inquiries, the  Contact  page has all the details, or you can simply dive into their  Homepage  to see all that Fly Yachts has to offer.

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Fractional Yacht Ownership

The freedom to indulge in the luxury boating lifestyle aboard your very own Sunseeker: what our innovative yacht share programme is all about.

Inviting you to sample a slice of the boating high life, Azure Ultra offers you the possibility to part-own a luxury motor yacht at a fraction of the full cost. Complete with a first-class yacht management team to take care of the finer details, our fractional yacht offering takes all the hassle out of ownership, guaranteeing a seamlessly memorable experience each time you step aboard. From impeccable year-round yacht maintenance to making all the necessary arrangements prior to your holiday, our team will continuously ensure that your yacht ownership with Azure Ultra remains a stress-free affair.

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An innovative boat sharing programme designed to render yacht ownership affordable and hassle-free.

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Europe's Leading Fractional Yacht Ownership Programme

Based in the UK, Fractional Life is the world’s leading expert in the fractional ownership and asset-sharing industry. The Azure Ultra brand received the prestigious title of Europe’s Leading Fractional Yacht Ownership Programme by FractionalLife.com, the authoritative online portal for the global fractional ownership marketplace.

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Yacht Share Legal Documentation

The core of fractional ownership is the syndicate agreement that all the owners sign up to and abide by.

The Fractional Association’s shared yachts’ operational management programme has evolved over many years, and their syndicate agreement has been updated and amended over those years to remain relevant and to always run in tandem with evolving operational experiences derived from the ever growing numbers of yachts syndicates and new fractional owners around the world.

The objective of the agreement is to outline the expectations and provide a robust but ‘plain English’ understanding for all parties. It should be read in conjunction with the Fractional Association’s Code of Conduct which underpins the Syndicate Agreement.

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Email: [email protected] Telephone: +44 (0)7802 657463 Mail to: Yacht Fractions Ltd, 65 Bottrells Lane, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4EJ

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• About yacht sharing
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Yacht Fractions are the only dedicated professional brokerage currently operating in the UK who specialise in the sale of shares in UK and Overseas based sailing boats and motor yachts.

Established in 1991 the business has gained a vast knowledge of yacht sharing through;

• Formation of new groups
• Brokering the sale of 1000’s of shares
• Advising existing groups
• Sourcing new boats on behalf of clients
• Whole boat sales

Buyer / Seller relationship

Whilst we are contracted primarily to the seller we are mindful that we are also acting on behalf of the buyer, and the rest of the share group that the buyer is joining to ensure a good working relationship going forward. Many share owners repeatedly trade their boat shares for new ones, and we want you to return to us.

Throughout your experience with us we aim to give you a very personal service, and will never pressure you or try to alter your own judgement. Our philosophy is that a buyer will only buy what they want when they want, and we respect this. We do however ask you keep us informed of your discussions.

The History

Established in 1991 Yachtfractions [as far as we are aware] is the only professionally run yacht share brokerage business in Europe, and the USA dedicated to selling shares in privately owned sailing, and motor yachts, which are jointly owned and managed by the owners.

We have a large number of loyal regular clients who deal with us time and time again.

The Company

Yacht Fractions Ltd is a private limited company run and controlled by the directors who are also the 100% shareholders. The company has a no debt policy, it does not have an overdraft facility and has no creditors other than minor amounts to administrative service providers. The future and control of the company is thus safely within the hands of the Directors.

Yacht Fractions is now owned by Denis and Pip Lyons, who have been fractional yacht owners for over 10 years.  They have great first hand experience of being a buyer, seller and owner and therefore best place to be able to help you through this process.”

To operate the company on a fair and morally sound basis for all parties, and provide a top quality bespoke service. Whole boat sales – In 1998 Yachtfractions teamed up with brokers based in Athens and now have access to the largest selection of privately owned second hand yachts in the eastern Mediterranean. Having sold dozens of yachts from Greece to clients from all over the world we feel that we understand most of the peculiarities of buying in Greece inc’;

• The legal side of the transaction, de-registration, re-registration etc.
• Surveyors and remedial works
• Transport from Greece to Northern Europe
• Payment of international funds
• Purchase of international currency at “spot” or today’s rate and transfer to foreign bank accounts.
• Purchase of currency to be spent in the future or “Forward contracts” to fix the price of a purchase where some of the payment is made at a time in the future.

Banking Transactions

In pursuit of good business practice we operate a secure Client account where any funds held for clients are held pending payment. These are separate from our normal business funds.

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• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

How shared ownership can get you more boating with less stress

• January 9, 2020

The sharing economy is booming, even on the water. Sam Fortescue looks at the new ways to own a boat

Sharing a boat with other like-minded owners may mean you could afford to sail a bigger yacht

Traditional boat ownership is broken and outdated. At least, that’s the bold message coming from a shrewd and hardy collection of entrepreneurs who say there is no longer any reason to simply buy a boat and keep it waiting in the marina for the occasional foray.

They are trying to drag boating into the modern digital economy with fractional ownership, sailing time-shares and peer-to-peer charter – all of which can reduce the cost of sailing dramatically. It’s a brave new world of apps, bundled services and sharing.

“I think this is part of a societal shift we are seeing in multiple industry sectors away from longer term asset ownership, and towards quicker consumption of experiences, or access to services,” says Matt Ovenden, founder of Borrow a Boat .

Families keen to get on the water no longer need to make the large one-off financial outlay to buy their own boat

It is a generational issue, agrees Todd Hess, managing director of Sail Time . “Millennials aren’t ready to own today, but they will pay to rent an experience. Our vision is that many will age and will become buyers.”

Fractional ownership

Fractional yacht ownership is not new, of course. As long as there have been watercraft, there have been part shares. But the manner in which you meet and deal with partners is changing.

The three founders of Boat Share Finder  reckoned that they could improve people’s chances of getting afloat by setting up a kind of online exchange, where boaters can offer part shares in existing syndicates and register to receive alerts on suitable new listings.

Article continues below…

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“With people no longer having the money or time to warrant buying a boat for themselves, BSF gives the best of both worlds, allowing people to keep their costs down while still being able to spend time on the water and hopefully meet some likeminded friends along the way,” says co-founder Alex Waldron.

“We have over 400 boats currently listed on the website and that number is steadily growing with more boats being added each month. Over half are sailing boats.”

Typical costs are around £45,000 for a one-third share of a Najad 391 in the Solent or an Oceanis 50 in the Adriatic, but the site also lists commercial syndicates and time-shares.

Uniquely the service is run on a non-profit basis, with users simply asked to donate at least £50 to selected charities when they find a share. “An ever growing number of boats listed [are] in Europe and further afield,” adds Waldron.

Run as a charity, Boat Share Finder is relatively hands-off, leaving people to get on with sorting out the details and contracts by themselves.

But at the other end of the shared yacht ownership spectrum you can find a much more luxurious service that offers to take on many of the more onerous elements of boat ownership, including maintenance.

A shared ownership scheme could allow you to become a partner in a Lagoon 42 catamaran

Well-known Solent-based yacht broker Ancasta saw a gap in the market here, launching its own fractional ownership programme for new boats at the 2018 Southampton Boat Show . The Beneteau, Lagoon and McConaghy dealer had been mulling over the idea for some time in response to falling boat ownership.

“The shell for our programme was there, but we had to go out and do the research, getting feedback from those who have been part of similar schemes,” says sales manager Scarlett Sykes.

“There are fewer and fewer people getting into boating, all with similar reasoning such as lack of time, being unable to justify the cost of ownership, or charter boats being of a low standard.

“We want to give that group of people the ability to get on the water, owning a brand new boat, without the hassle of maintenance, where their costs are in proportion to their usage – we wanted to tick all the boxes.”

Photo: Nico Krauss/Hanse Yachts

Ancasta says that the programme has appealed to younger sailors, as it had expected. But it has also resonated with older sailors, too. “Retirees who want to avoid managing and maintaining their own boats would be a big chunk of our enquirers,” says Sykes.

Lichtenstein-based Smart Yacht is another example of a high-end service, but it has no brand affiliations and specialises in good quality second-hand boats.

Having headquarters in one of Europe’s most landlocked countries has not stopped the company from signing up more than 3,000 prospective yacht co-owners, for whom it acts as a kind of marine dating service.

It can be a slow process to get right, admits head of marketing Verena Brünings. “Due to high personal efforts in consulting our clients we cannot sell more than 15-20 shares (about five new yachts) per year.”

Matching up similar expectations in terms of yacht size, maintenance cost and so on takes time. Current offers on the sailing side include a Bavaria 44 Vision and an Oceanis 45 based in Italy, plus a First 45 in Croatia.

Co-owners book time online and can have as much or as little to do with each other as they want – they may not know each other at all, in fact. “Your anonymity can be provided upon request,” says Brünings.

The company also offers a €450 per year membership option which allows you to book days on owners’ yachts for a fraction of the market rate.

Yacht membership

The membership route to getting out on the water has proved hugely successful in its own right. Market leader Freedom Boat Club runs more than 2,000 boats across the US, while Sail Time has been at it for 18 years, and is now expanding into Europe.

The company sets out its stall on ownership immediately: “There are very few reasons for owning a boat in a traditional manner any more,” says Todd Hess.

The premise is a simple one, akin to short-term charter. Club members choose how much sailing they want to do, and pay a monthly fee accordingly. So-called Lite packages start at around $485 for a one-year-old Beneteau Oceanis 35.1.

Photo: Guido Cantini/seasee.com

This includes three uses per month, with a single ‘use’ running from 10am to 6pm or overnight – enough for a weekend per month. Other options run to seven and 15 ‘uses’ per month.

You book in advance using the Sail Time app on your phone, and higher-paying members can take a slot for free if it is still available within 36 hours of its start time. With bases across Spain, Italy, Australia and the US, its reach is fairly limited now, but new European locations are on the cards.

“There’s a lot of space for growth in Europe, and a lot of room for competition,” says Hess, although he sounds cautious about returning to the UK. “At this moment Brexit is a real factor in opening up locations in the UK.”

The model becomes really interesting for owner-members, whose boats are used by other members. They receive a good discount to list price on their new boat, and have all their berthing, insurance and maintenance costs covered. Average net earnings are around $15,000 per year for a 38-footer, plus they get guaranteed monthly usage.

A former Sail Time licensee in the UK now runs Flexisail along very similar lines, with 18 boats between Poole, the Solent and Woolverstone, near Ipswich.

Monthly membership plans start at £478 for 18 days per year on a weekday-only basis and work up to around £950 for 42 days afloat. It also organises a range of social events on and off the water, with training available.

With nine sailing boats from 32ft to 46ft LOA, Pure Latitude is another growing UK scheme, based on the Hamble. MD Ian Bartlett is planning to grow the fleet further after a surge in membership last year.

Having a little over 100 people means that “it’s very rare that there isn’t a sailing boat and a motorboat available on the pontoon,” according to Bartlett.

Monthly plans start at £200/month if you are putting yourself up to crew other boats, or £350/month if you want a boat exclusively. You earn points depending on your subscription rate, and those points can then be spent to secure time on board different boats.

At the basic £350/m rate, you could expect between eight and 12 days aboard per year. For £750/m, you could have up to 36 days aboard over the year.

“Sailboats in the mid-30 feet are the sweet spot,” says Bartlett. “We are about the quality of the boats and the locations that they’re in. We all know you can run an old Westerly on the river and row about in your tender for £3,000 per year.”

Pure Latitude has found that one of the key draws for members are its social events, which allow people to meet and sail together. It also offers a popular £650/month training membership, which includes bespoke one-on-one training days aboard, including the RYA Day Skipper practical.

Bartlett is keen to stress that membership is not just a question of paper qualifications – something for which he criticises the peer-to-peer model.

“When members join, we run a full-day interaction and assess their competence off that,” he says. “They could have been sailing for 40 years and not have a single piece of paper, or have just passed the Day Skipper the day before.”

Boat share and subscription services are attracting a younger generation of sailors

Boatbuilding behemoth Beneteau is also getting in on the act with the launch of its own Beneteau Boat Club . The company sees it as a way to get more people out on the water and build brand loyalty before they get to the stage of buying a boat themselves.

A growing network of dealer-serviced bases in France, Spain and Norway give members access to small sailing and motor boats.

Once you’ve chosen between a weekday or anytime subscription (€1,000/€1,500 per annum), there are no usage limits. Monthly charges run from €249 for a First 18, to €690 for a First 21 and an Oceanis 31.

“So far, the Beneteau Boat Club has attracted members who are younger than our average owners, mostly male,” says Beneteau’s director of communications Jean-Francois Pape.

“[They] want to enjoy boating without any hassle, and are more focused on experience than on ownership at the time when they join. One day, they want to go sailing, and the next they want to go fishing or wakeboarding on an outboard boat.”

App charter

Pulling all these strands together is the British start-up Borrow a Boat. Founder Matt Ovenden launched the company three years ago as a peer-to-peer charter company, but it has grown to include a boating club and an ownership arm.

Most of its business now comes from finding commercial charters for users, who can search and book via an app, or online.

Ovenden is convinced that his model reaches new sailors. “It is part of a societal shift we are seeing in multiple industry sectors away from longer term asset ownership, and towards quicker consumption of experiences, or access to services. This is reflected in the long-term trend away from boat ownership.”

He sees huge potential because the online model is reaching new customers. “British Marine’s Futures Project revealed that as many as one in three people want to go boating in the UK, but the industry is not currently getting close to that many people out on the water.”

Borrow a Boat’s club provides another way in to its online charter brokerage, which now lists more than 20,000 boats across 80 countries. Members pay a minimum monthly fee of £50, which they can then use to buy charter time at a discount of up to 15%.

It’s a sum that goes further than you’d think with, summer charter prices as low as £70 per day (for a First 21 in Croatia). “It’s for regular boaters who know they are going to go boating, and want to get the savings,” says Ovenden.

With charter alone worth £50 billion annually, there is plenty of scope for sales growth in this market. Boatsetter is probably the world’s largest and best known, but there are plenty of others including France’s Click&Boat .

Changing participation

Taken together, all these services add up to a much cheaper way of getting out on the water, and perhaps the results are starting to tell.

The latest research by British Marine shows that the number of 16- to 34-year-olds getting out on the water is at last starting to rise again. As commercial director Dean Smith says: “Boat sharing looks to make boating as accessible as possible to a new generation of boating fans.”

Figures published by British Marine show that although some 3.93m people took part in boating activities in 2018 – a figure only slightly lower than in 2017 – nearly half of those reported that canoeing was their main activity.

When it comes to yacht racing, a 40% nosedive in year-on-year participation has reduced the numbers taking part to just 92,000. Yacht cruising numbers have held up better at 370,000 last year, but that still represents a 17% decline on 2017.

Ownership has also declined slightly. Some 0.22% of the population owned a sailing yacht between 2016 and 2018, compared to a high of 0.26% ten years earlier. More than ever – around one in eight – are kept overseas.

“Over the past ten years there’s been an increase in small sailboat activities, while we’ve seen a small decline in sailing yacht activities,” says Dean Smith, commercial director at British Marine. “This reflects the growing desire for more accessible, flexible and affordable consumer options.”

Inside view

Mark Hammond was the first to sign up for Ancasta’s shared ownership scheme and is now one of three partners in a Beneteau Oceanis 41.1.

“I’ve been chartering for the last six years – mainly in the UK, but also in the Med. I wanted another programme with more ready access to a boat. The Ancasta scheme seemed to be the first of its particular type, and it ticked all the boxes for what I wanted to do: more regular sailing, but a stepping stone to full boat ownership in about three years’ time; knowing that all the costs were included in the management fee.”

On a three-partner basis, that fee amounts to £854 per month and covers maintenance, berthing and insurance. Just £34 of that is Ancasta’s fee. The £80,000 deposit and £1,966 monthly finance costs are also split three ways for a total monthly payment of just over £1,500. “It isn’t the cheapest option for having a boat. But if you weigh up the usage of that asset versus the cost of that asset, it works well.”

The spec of the boat was handled by Ancasta, as was the fit out – “down to the last teaspoon!” Hammond was also able to make a few personal choices in terms of equipment and sails.

He communicates with his partners via a Whatsapp group, although Ancasta’s online booking and damage reporting software means that contact can be more formalised. At present they take a ‘one week in three’ approach to divvying up time, but Hammond is hoping they can carve out some longer spells aboard and one-way trips to cruise more widely.

Photo: Nicholas Claris

Typical costs for four partners in a Beneteau Oceanis 41.1

Typical specification: £269,337.60 Deposit: £80,801.28 Deposit per partner: £20,200.32 Monthly contribution: £1,966.00 Monthly finance contribution per partner: £491.50

Berthing: £11,750.08 Insurance: £1,414.02 Winterisation ashore: £706.27 Annual engine service: £500.00 Annual boat checks & service: £1,416.00 Antifouling: £741.95 Anodes (mid-season & winter): £1,320.43 In-season monthly valet: £1,491.60 Out-of-season fortnightly washdown: £1,528.89 Hull polish: £733.99 Weekly checks: £3,432.00 Stowage solution: £1,500.00 Management fee: £1,200.00 Contingency: £3.00000

Total annual costs for boat: £30,735.23 Annual costs per partner: £7,683.81 Monthly costs per partner: £640.32

First published in the January 2020 edition of Yachting World.

Superyachting for a fraction of the cost

Fractional ownership schemes are well-known both in the private jet and the holiday residence spheres, and new schemes in the superyacht sector are opening the doors to new owners while adding an element of environmental responsibility.

“I’ve learned that there are two misleading words in this industry – one of them is ‘super’ and the other is ‘yacht’,” tech entrepreneur Jasper Smith told Superyacht Life early in 2021 . “From the public’s perception, it can look elitist and a bit bling.” As a young man, Smith – a keen sailor – had jumped in a boat and sailed from Australia to Alaska via Kamchatka. He climbed mountains along the way, defining what experiential yachting meant 20 years before it became a trend. He went on to own sailing boats, taking his family to far flung destinations and introducing his children to the yachting lifestyle.

The downside to this dream scenario were the months his boat sat in a marina unused, requiring maintenance and costing money. To mitigate costs, Smith decided to share ownership of a boat with a group of friends. It was his first foray into fractional ownership and would prove to be the nucleus of his marine adventure company Arksen , and its Adventure Syndicate .

Jasper Smith

Fractional ownership is not a new concept on land – one only has to think of the ubiquitous timeshare holiday homes dotted all over the world – or in the air, where companies such as NetJets and Flexjet are but two well-known examples. Even in superyachting there have been a few ventures into the concept. Floating Life back in 2007, for example, led the way with the YachtPlus fractional plan for a series of 41-metre yachts designed by iconic land-based architects Foster + Partners, and is currently working on a new fleet of 43-metre fractional ownership yachts.

Others, too, are making strides in this developing area of the market, which provides the luxury and privacy of the superyachting experience at a greatly reduced cost to outright ownership – which in turn opens superyachting to a far wider community of potential clients. There are schemes available with SeaNet Europe , for instance, or AvYachts , which offers typically a 20 per cent stake in a vessel in return for a guaranteed six weeks on board per annum for five years.

Fractional ownership is also a neat fit for the post-Covid rise in demand for yachts, and indeed the first model in Smith’s Arksen 85 range, currently in build at Wights Shipyard in the UK, has been bought by a syndicate of experienced yacht owners who are moving up in size. But there is a lot more to Arksen’s proposition than just offering a floating timeshare, and it speaks to the sensibilities of a new generation of ocean users.

Arksen 85 Tropical

With naval architecture by Humphreys Yacht Design, the all-aluminium explorer is robust enough to operate in areas where there may be ice yet compact enough to classify as a small commercial vessel. It has a 7,000 nautical mile range for remote autonomy, two high-capacity watermakers to generate its own drinking water, and a high-capacity sewage treatment system for operating off grid in environmentally sensitive areas.

“I see the boat as a floating expedition base camp,” says one of the first syndicate owners. “I’m a climber and skier turned sailor, so I am excited about the opportunities for alpine missions delivered from our oceanic mountain hut!”

The Arksen proposition also encompasses the Sea Time Pledge , whereby owners are encouraged to donate a portion of their vessels’ annual sea time to scientific research or educational projects. “The fact that we have committed 10 per cent of the boat’s time to these important projects is great,” says the owner. “It allows the kids to be involved in finding solutions to some of our most pressing issues and for the community to share knowledge.”

Photo: Floating Life

Syndicate owners collaboratively decide on layout, interior design and water toys. One of the most important decisions is agreeing on the four-year cruising itinerary, which is based on the syndicate’s pre-selected cruising area. Boat one chose Global – the other options being the Americas, Asia or Europe – and its 2022 maiden voyage will take in a UK circumnavigation, exploring some of Scotland’s far flung outposts, including Sula Sgeir, North Rona, Sule Skerry and St Kilda.

“We’re cruising from Southampton to Shetland – hopefully taking in the Faroe Islands – and exploring the ‘roof of Scotland’. I’m longing to make a landing on Rockall, which will be a test for the crew, the vessel and my amphibious scrambling skills,” the owner says.

In its first year, the boat will have its capabilities tested in a variety of environments from the backcountry of east Greenland and the Scoresby Sound Fjord system to Caribbean sun and sand. The syndicate also has Finland, Sweden, Norway and Svalbard in its sights, as well as Med-lounging for summer – all seamlessly arranged by Arksen’s concierge arm, the Explorers’ Club.

“It might sound odd for a cutting-edge explorer, but I can’t wait to hit the Med. I love the culture and pace of life. We’re looking forward to exploring Sardinia and Corsica, and visiting friends for more freediving lessons in Greece,” says the owner. “That said, I think the jewel in the crown for explorer yachting must be the Antarctic and I’ve never been, so I cannot wait to head across the Drake Passage for a cruise of the peninsula, seeking out some ski mountaineering routes and visiting some of the old BAS bases.”  

Photo: Arksen

Alongside downtime and family adventures, the owners will welcome a mix of scientific expeditions. Arksen is a founding partner of the Yachts For Science initiative, which matchmakes owners’ vessels with the marine research community. Projects range from collecting data on deep scattering layers, tagging Mediterranean white sharks and monitoring sargassum to gathering marine environment data for the open source ocean data portal OcToPUS.

“We have a raft of scientific programs we’re trying to fit in with our itinerary, which are all vetted by Dr Lucy Woodall at Oxford University,” the owner says. “We have scientists interested in coming onboard to track and study the ‘Type C’ orca population in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, which would be fascinating to be involved with.”

Arksen’s aim is to create the world’s largest privately owned research-capable fleet that has sustainability at the fore of design and construction and gifts owners the freedom to enjoy their assets to the full. Every Arksen is built in recyclable aluminium, has the option of a serial hybrid drive system, solar panels fitted to reduce the amount of generator run time, and an optimized hull that requires less power, therefore less fuel, therefore less emissions . 

“Exploration means different things to different people,” the owner concludes. “For me, it’s skiing, climbing and voyaging in great company, and the 85 can carry all we need to fulfil my ambitions – equipment, my friends and family, and a good cellar and larder to keep them all happy!” It’s clear that with fractional ownership schemes the traditional barriers to yacht ownership, kinship and the joy that the superyacht life can bring are coming down – and the desire of new owners to take  positive actions on saving the oceans is going up.

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Fractional Ownership Guides

The 2023 definitive guide to fractional ownership.

Fractional ownership gives those looking to invest in a vacation home the power to purchase next-level luxury for less investment. The same co-ownership model applies to many high-end assets aimed at the aspirational consumer. But how do you know if they are legitimate fractional ownership or not?

Here, we investigate the true fractional ownership definition. We check out the benefits so you can decide if it’s right for you. Read on for an in-depth, updated 2023 guide to everything fractional ownership.

What Does Fractional Ownership Mean?

The definition of fractional ownership is quite simple. If you break down the words, then you have the answer instantly. ‘Fractional’ refers to the asset being equally split into fractions so that the costs can be shared. ‘Ownership’ is the owned interest of the fractions.

Fractional ownership is where two or more people choose to co-own an asset benefitting from shared costs and benefits.

The vital part of this definition is the word ‘ownership.’ Always make sure that you own part of the asset when looking at anything sold through a fractional ownership model.

The fractional ownership method is not something new; you only need to look at the stock market for another example. An investor can buy shares of a company. Suppose, for example, you purchase 50 shares in your selected company. In this case, you have partial ownership of the company with those 50 shares until you decide to sell them. In the meantime, you and all the other company shareholders will benefit from any dividends and share growth over time.

How Fractional Ownership Works

Interested parties enter an ownership arrangement whereby they agree to co-own a property (or another asset) with several like-minded individuals. Owning a property abroad is a dream shared by many. Let’s look at how the fractional ownership agreement would typically work for co-owning a property through a reputable developer, step by step.

• The real estate property is usually purchased through a Limited Liability Company (LLC).
• The property is then divided into equal fractions, with buyers typically able to purchase 1/8 or 1/12 fractions.
• These fractions are freehold, and each co-owner holds a deeded share of the asset’s title for each share purchased.
• Investors can purchase one or more shares in the property, dictating the amount of time spent at the property. The exclusive usage per year is generally four-five weeks per 1/12 fraction, depending on the original agreement.
• The properties are typically taken care of by a property management company that deals with the property’s upkeep, maintenance, and repairs. The associated and annual running costs are split equally between the property co-owners.
• You will own the deeded fraction in perpetuity if it is actual fractional ownership. Your titled interest should also be sellable and willable.

There are many fractional ownership properties for sale. The Fractional Group will thoroughly vet any potential developers, ensuring you see the best, high-quality fractional homes on the market.

Is Fractional Ownership the Same as Timeshare?

No, real estate fractional ownership is NOT timeshare. Timeshare is what it says—you buy a share of time to use each year. You don’t possess ownership rights to the physical accommodation you stay in each time you visit. You are paying to stay for a set amount of time each year, usually at a resort or hotel. There will be a maintenance fee to pay to the resort where the timeshare is based. There will be no ownership of the physical property asset.

As we explained earlier, true fractional ownership allows you to purchase a share of the freehold property. Owning a slice of the asset. Each fraction typically comes with four-five weeks per share (allowing all co-owners exclusive annual usage). You hold a deeded share of the property title and will profit from any capital appreciation over time. The asset is owned outright by a definitive number of the fractional property owners. The number of owners generally doesn’t exceed twelve.

Many timeshare resorts also use other terminology to talk about their product. You’re likely to hear phrases like private residence clubs, fractionals, destination clubs, and condotels, to name a few. The use of the word fractional can understandably be confusing when applied to timeshare. Especially as the purchaser is not typically given anything other than the usage of time.

Check out our latest article, Fractional Ownership vs Timeshare: What’s the Difference . This will give you a thorough understanding of how actual fractional ownership is very different to timeshare.

Popular Types of Fractional Assets

Owning a fraction of something allows you to join others and share the cost of an asset. Ultimately, investing less initially will prove a more cost-effective option.

Many business sectors are realizing the appeal of this model. This is why fractional ownership operates in and beyond the real estate industry, as you can own a fraction of most tangible assets. Art, a private jet, aircraft, boat, yacht, supercar, or house—all of these can be fractionalized.

The fractional ownership model is prevalent throughout the luxury market. The main reason for this is that it gives one the opportunity to co-own a luxury asset like a high-end villa, a private jet, or a supercar that may have otherwise been out of financial reach.

Fractional Ownership of Aircraft

Popularity in fractional ownership of private jets has rocketed over the years. We are seeing businesses primarily using the method to potentially lower corporate travel costs. The program could prove cost-effective to regular private aircraft users as they effectively only pay for the time they fly.

How it works

The fractional ownership aircraft programs will offer multiple owners shares in aircraft ownership via fractions. These shares will guarantee a certain number of flying hours or days for a particular aircraft type throughout the year. And are generally sold in 1/16 or 1/8 fractions.

Some well-known management companies offer fractional ownership programs for aircraft, including NetJets, Flexjet, Planesense, and Airsprint. Each company gives its fractional owners the right to use a choice of similar aircraft from their fleet. This usage comes with an agreed number of hours. NetJets owners typically own shares sold in 25-hour increments. The minimum purchase is of 50 hours for ownership of the aircraft asset for three years upwards.

Fractional Ownership Aircraft Costs

Hassle-free is the name of the game once again, just like with fractional ownership homes for sale. The owners eliminate the worry of actually looking after the aircraft. No maintenance or insurance to arrange or other services that come with owning a plane like the hangarage and catering.

You will pay extra costs such as a monthly management fee and a shared percentage of the costs with other owners. There are no operational issues to be concerned with. Simply turn up and fly in a fully prepared aircraft—often with just a few hours notice!

Always check the small print regarding the length of aircraft ownership time. Some companies can stipulate this to be a minimum period of five years before you can sell. Also, with fractional jet ownership programs, there are additional costs to be aware of. These include a charge for each hour you fly, along with fuel surcharges, to name a few.

Unlike bricks and mortar, aircraft–even the most high-spec jets, will suffer from capital depreciation over time. So be sure to factor this into your costs. Some operators will guarantee to buy back your share after a certain number of years. Good to know that if you stop flying, there is the option to recoup a percentage of your investment.

Ultimately, if you travel by private jet and want to own your own aircraft minus the hassles that come with it, then owning a fraction could be right for you. Co-owning will eliminate the necessity for a considerable capital outlay. And selecting a renowned company with a large fleet will give you access to your aircraft or similar in which to use your flying hours—potentially giving you access to a whole fleet!

Fractional Ownership Boats

The thrill of being on the open water is a big enough lure for most potential boat owners. Thoughts of crystalline waters and packing up the diving or snorkeling equipment, some quality family time, and relaxation are things we’ve all dreamed of at some point in our lives. But what about the reality? Let’s explore why fractional ownership of a boat might be a good thing.

For starters, there’s the high price tag of a quality yacht, and then there’s all the boat maintenance to consider. The cost of mooring, staff costs, fuel costs—the list goes on. More than the cost, we’re realizing more and more that people have a finite amount of time to enjoy their time away and just don’t want the hassles that come with owning outright and which eat into this precious time away. Cue fractional boat ownership—the flexible way to part-own your very own boat minus the large outlay and ongoing responsibilities of looking after and maintaining it.

As with all true fractional ownership, you will jointly own the physical boat or yacht asset. For fractional or shared ownership of a boat, you’ll enter into an agreement to purchase a part-share of the boat with a number of other owners. This number can vary from two, three, four, or more—so check your budget. Each owner is assigned a set number of days’ usage each year proportional to their investment.

Boat Ownership Costs

As for costs—you will pay for your share or fraction of the yacht followed by your percentage of the ongoing running costs, which cover insurance, berthing, maintenance, and maybe crew, depending on the agreement. With all this taken care of for you, you’re free to simply turn up and enjoy the boat during your exclusive usage time and leave the hassles of yacht admin and the general ‘looking after’ of the boat to the managing agent. You will get to enjoy all of the fun of owning a boat without the stresses that come with owning one outright.

Another advantage of co-owning a boat is that it allows you to move up to the next-level yacht for less. While the plus points are many, you need to ask yourself a few questions before deciding if investing in a part-share of a boat is for you. For example, while it is possible to move the fractional boat to another location, this is something that all fractional owners must agree upon and will need to be planned well in advance.

You will also need to book ahead to secure your time on board, so this probably wouldn’t suit those who prefer to book things last minute. A fractional boat program can save a lot of time and stress, proving a perfect choice for those that don’t have the time or funds to own a boat outright.

Fractional Ownership of Real Estate

We all have that property on our wish list, whether written down or in our heads. Some of us will eventually own the vacation home of our dreams, while others will compromise, looking for something within budget or opting to keep it on the list to look at again one day in the future.

Let’s face it, buying property is expensive, but purchasing through fractional ownership is becoming more commonplace nowadays, especially among those looking to invest for less.

Hailed as the intelligent way to own that dream vacation home, this refreshingly uncomplicated way to co-own a luxury second home makes dream vacation home ownership accessible to those who previously deemed it out of reach. With more and more fractional ownership luxury homes entering the market, there are more opportunities than ever before. Buyers are seeing that they can make their investment (and exchange rate!) go further by investing less in a high-end property that can be enjoyed each year whilst leaving the stresses of running it to someone else!

Whether you’ve got your eye on that luxury villa in Italy with sweeping views of the coastline and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, or the uber-modern condo in the historical town center, it’s fair to say that these price tags will be on the high-to-incredibly-expensive side. But that doesn’t have to stop you from landing the property of your dreams.

Suppose you were to purchase the whole property, then yes, in this high price bracket, a lottery win could prove more than helpful! Even after such a windfall—if you have four weeks’ vacation time a year, it might still prove too time-consuming to maintain or deal with the possible rentals or vacant time. The simple solution is to buy some of the property and not all of it, thereby giving you some of the running costs to pay but not all of them.

Typically, high-quality vacation homes are divided into fractions and sold to a group of co-owners, as we explained earlier. Popular with investors from Europe, the US, Canada, and, more recently, the UK, the best fractional ownership properties come from trustworthy and legitimate developers who offer an easy way to access next-level luxury through purchasing and owning a fraction of freehold real estate and equity in a stylish home that could be straight out of a magazine!

Is Fractional Ownership a Good Investment?

Fractional ownership has become a fast-growing space and is being seen as a good investment due to its lower acquisition cost for a higher-value product. Fractional vacation home ownership makes properties in the higher price brackets more accessible and more appealing to anyone looking to own a slice of a luxury second home.

Whether fractional ownership is a good investment for you or not will depend on the reasons you are investing in the first place, so it’s wise to ask yourself a couple of questions.

• How often will you visit the property?
• Will you be managing the property upkeep or know someone locally when you’re not there?
• Will you be renting out your vacation home?
• Are you aware of the country’s local laws regarding owning property?

Uncomplicated Property Ownership

As so many people get carried away with the dream of owning an abode abroad, the cold hard reality often stops them from going ahead with their plans. Additional unexpected costs can scupper even the most thought-out plans.

If you want somewhere, you can visit for two weeks here and two weeks there; fractional ownership might be right for you. As you literally are paying for the amount of time you are using, you can move up the property bracket to that property of your dreams and purchase a fraction of it with other prospective owners. Not only do you have co-owners with whom to share the running costs, but you have the developer’s knowledge to assist you in navigating the purchase process.

Are fractional ownerships a good investment? Well, If you’ve always aspired to own that beautiful villa with a stunning infinity pool where you, your family, and friends can enjoy spacious rooms and relaxing spaces, why settle for an apartment with no view? Your fractional ownership vacation home could be more accessible than you first thought. Also, owning a fraction of a high-quality built property in a salubrious area could allow you to benefit from any capital growth. It could also enable you to generate a rental income on any property time you decide not to use, making fractional ownership a good investment for your lifestyle choices.

Advantages and Pitfalls of Fractional Ownership

Unless you move permanently to another country and buy a house where you will spend all of the year, the likelihood of using a second home abroad for much more than one to two months a year is pretty slim. This factor, along with getting a more luxurious property for less, raises the question of “why pay for more than you will use?”

Five advantages we see of buying a fractional ownership vacation home are

• Enjoy a more expensive property for less investment
• Less burden by being able to share all the running costs with your co-owners
• Fewer worries over the property remaining vacant for periods of time
• Less hassle as the property management company takes care of the running of the property, leaving you to enjoy quality family time from the minute you arrive.
• Enjoy asset appreciation on your fractional ownership vacation home

Fractional ownership pitfalls will vary depending on your property search requirements and intention behind purchasing a property. Every buyer has prerequisites when selecting a location and making a second home purchase. There’s more to read on fractional ownership pros and cons . It is worth doing the homework first to see whether buying fractional home ownership is a better option for you than purchasing a vacation home outright.

What to Look for When Choosing Fractional Ownership Real Estate Companies

As with any investment, you must do some homework to ensure you are dealing with a legitimate company. As you begin your research, ask a few basic questions to help you find the developer or real estate company that is right for you.

• Do they have a successful track record of fractional ownership properties?
• Are the fractions freehold and deeded?
• Are the properties purchased through a Limited Liability Company?

Suppose the location of the fractional vacation home you are interested in is in a country where you are unfamiliar with the language and local tax and property laws. In this case, it is prudent to check out the support offered to you during the buying process to prevent you from becoming frazzled and out of pocket. Remember, buying a fractionalized property aims to eliminate the stresses of owning a whole property and save money!

We cover some of the benefits in 5 Reasons Why Fractional Ownership Vacation Homes Make the Best Second Homes.

Any fractional ownership companies serious about their properties will be able to arrange an Inspection Visit. This gives you an opportunity to check out the location and properties first-hand. And allows you to familiarize yourself with the area while asking questions about the buying process.

We will continually add new developers and properties to our website at the Fractional Group. They will only appear online after we thoroughly vet the developer, saving you time and energy searching the internet.

How many weeks are typical of fractional ownership?

This depends on the company and agreement. As a rule of thumb, you can usually expect 4–5 weeks of exclusive usage per year per fraction.

How to sell fractional ownership?

With a fractional ownership property, you can look at it the same as you would if you purchased a property outright. The attraction would still be the location, style, exceptional finish and design, and property value. These factors remain the same when you come to sell your share of the property. The apparent difference is the number of fractions you purchased in the property to sell. The first refusal will usually always go to the other co-owners of the property, thereby creating a pool of possible interested parties. We’ve collated many more answers to the most frequently asked questions about fractional ownership so you can be more informed when searching for your dream property. Check out our FAQs page for more top tips.

Luxury Vacation Homes for a Fraction of the Cost

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Yacht Fractional Ownership

Acquiring a yacht is one of the most special investments one can make. Yachts unlock dreams made of holidays in exclusive creeks worldwide, distant from the hustle and bustle of crowded resorts and close to secluded and exclusive beaches and rivieras. Yachts are also a tool to signify one’s social position. Notwithstanding this, like any other investment, it requires careful planning to minimise inefficiencies and consequently reduce costs. Contrary to other assets, such as immovables, whose value increases with time, yachts tend to depreciate quickly and are subject to high maintenance costs. For this reason, yacht owners aim to mitigate this financial burden. To mitigate such risks and offset, even partially, the investment made, owners tend to opt for mixed-use of the yacht by chartering her to third parties. Although this is a possible solution, there are also some negative aspects connected with yacht chartering:

• Impossibility of using her during peak season
• Use of yacht by third parties who might not treat her as their own to the detriment of her value
• Yachts would generally need to be stationed in the same part of the world to minimise relocation costs
• Engagement of third-party advisors and fiscal representatives to assist with VAT and other related tax compliance matters
• Increase in insurance costs related to the commercial use of yachts
• Increase maintenance and refit costs to ensure the yacht could be registered as commercial and be compliant with the commercial yacht code

Chartering, however, is not the only option to recover costs related to acquiring the yacht. In fact, over the last few years, fractional ownership has proven to be a valid alternative to chartering.

How does fractional ownership work?

Yacht fractional owners own a share or portion of a yacht jointly with other persons who can use the same depending on the terms and conditions of the ownership agreement between all parties. Contrary to a time-sharing arrangement, which grants a right of use only for a limited period, fractional ownership gives a title of ownership (although in common with other persons) and a return of price in case of sale to third parties.  Fractional owners could either acquire a share in the yacht directly or indirectly through the setting up, together with other persons, of a company that will be the yacht’s registered owner. The latter option could provide direct and indirect tax efficiencies if adequately structured. Fractional ownership allows owners to use the yacht for a maximum period, which generally varies between 3 and 6 weeks. Fractional owners are also entitled to charter or sub-lease the yacht to third parties during the period assigned to them or sell their share should they not be interested in the continued enjoyment of the asset. Maltese law also allows the possibility of setting up shipping cell companies where the patrimony of each cell is separate and distinct from other cells, thus giving the shareholder an additional layer of protection and flexibility in structuring their ownership as the fractional right would be assigned to the cell.

Who should opt for fractional ownership?

People who know from the outset they will only be using the yacht for a few weeks a year and want to avoid dealing with third-party operators such brokers, marina agents, seafarers, and tax advisors would do well to consider opting for a  fractional ownership arrangement. These functions would be delegated to a yacht manager by paying a yacht management fee. Such a manager would be in charge of dealing with third parties concerning all of the above matters.

Fractional ownership is a formal arrangement meant to regulate the fractional use of yachts amongst more people by giving certainty on the rules to be adopted and avoided or at least reducing conflicts with service providers and between the fractional owners.

How is the amount of time used decided?

This depends on and is usually proportionate to, the investment made in the yacht.

What are the benefits of fractional ownership?

• Financial: one significantly saves the total purchase price by acquiring a portion of the yacht.
• Saving Time: time spent coordinating the yacht’s management, maintenance, crew employment-related matters, berthing, insurance, and fiscal issues, amongst others.
• It is easier to dispose of the interest in the asset.
• Possibility to change yachts should the fractional owner not be interested in that model. Some fractional ownership organisations even maintain fleets based in different geographical locations.

What are the disadvantages of fractional ownership?

• Sharing the yacht with other people, the impossibility to personalise the yacht and choose particular crew members.
• Use of the yacht is possible during specific periods only and restricted to particular geographical locations. Suppose the yacht is always based in the Mediterranean. In that case, a user cannot decide unilaterally to move her to the Caribbean to return to the Med region again unless most owners (based on a contract of use) choose otherwise.
• The yacht might be unavailable during certain parts of the year if already booked by other fractional owners or under maintenance.

What are the VAT implications, if any, for fractional ownership?

Regarding the EU VAT legislation, supplies of goods or of services made by a taxable person acting as such in return for consideration within the territory of a Member State are subject to VAT unless specifically exempted. As such, transactions that cumulatively meet these conditions are said to fall within the scope of EU VAT, whilst transactions that fail to meet any of the requirements are classified as falling outside the scope of EU VAT, which is to be disregarded for VAT purposes. A transaction deemed to fall within the scope of VAT has then to be methodically analysed to determine its correct VAT treatment, most significant, where it is to be taxed, whether an exemption applies and if not, who would be the person liable to pay the VAT to the tax authority. It is in the background of these concepts, that the numerous transactions contained in fractional ownership, from ownership to management, need to be assessed to establish the appropriate VAT treatment and resulting implications.

As a point of departure, ownership, per se, even if partial and undivided, does not render the owner a taxable person for VAT purposes unless he carries out an economic activity. In the fractional ownership set-up, the owners would not be carrying out an economic activity since each would be using the asset (the yacht) privately. Selling a fractional share would likewise fall outside the scope of EU VAT since the seller (the fractional owner) is not a taxable person for VAT purposes in that he is not in the business of selling or trading in shares in yacht ownership, that is, not carrying out an economic activity. The yacht’s purchase, management fees, operational and maintenance services necessary for the functionality and upkeep of the yacht all appear to be supplies of services subject to VAT. As a rule, the VAT incurred by the management company will be deductible to the extent that it is attributable to its taxable supplies, namely the management fees and recharges claimed from the owners in proportion to their fractional share. The owners, however, have no right of deduction, and the VAT incurred should constitute an irrecoverable cost. Given that in the fractional ownership model, expenses are shared; the VAT cost would thus be less burdensome when compared to full ownership of a yacht.

How do you understand if fractional ownership is the right solution for you?

Fractional owners need to understand if they want the yacht exclusively for themselves or not and whether they are willing to share it with strangers and be able to use it only for specific parts of the year.

On the other hand, all those aspects concerning her maintenance would be delegated to third parties, thus rendering matters easier for the end user. Lastly, fractional ownership would permit the benefit of a yacht at a reduced price, and if one uses a yacht for a few weeks a year, savings would be much higher than the ones made under a charter option.

Charles Vella

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Introducing the YachtQuarters Princess Y72 with New Cruising Destinations for 2025

Wednesday 24th July 2024

With the ever-growing demand for fractional yacht ownership – the ultimate turnkey solution to yachting, Princess have added the refined Y72 to the fleet.  The largest yacht to join the programme, she exudes elegance through sophisticated lines and a meticulous finish and can accommodate eight guests.

Why choose YachtQuarters?

Sharing a yacht allows you to enjoy owning a yacht whilst giving you the freedom to engage in other pursuits too.  If you love to charter, but would prefer the familiarity of your own yacht whilst still benefiting from the services of an attentive crew of two and concierge service, then this yacht shared ownership programme could be for you.  You can enjoy the comfort of having your own interior style on board and the convenience of a friendly crew, who already know exactly what you, your family and friends like so you can just enjoy your trip.  And all at a fraction of the cost of chartering.  Furthermore, YachtQuarters’ yacht shares are tax free.  And as a co-owner, you are owning a share in the asset that is the yacht itself; which means when the time does come to sell, you will receive an equal portion of the proceeds too.

The new fractional ownership yacht, the YachtQuarters Princess Y72 will be based in beautiful Mallorca with her home berth either in the prestigious Puerto Portals or Club de Mar.  And when it’s time to drop the lines, you can enjoy the freedom of cruising on board your own yacht in the Balearics, along with a Williams 435 tender and choice of water toys to discover secluded bays for complete escapism.  M/Y Lumi carries waterskis, wakeboard, two Seabobs, two paddle boards and snorkeling gear.  Explore new adventures and create special memories with your loved ones on board your exceptional Princess Y72.

YachtQuarters’ shared yacht ownership program allows you to still own a yacht in the Mediterranean but without the hassle that long-distance yacht ownership can entail.  Full management is included from the service and maintenance of your yacht to bespoke passage planning and provisioning and even booking your favourite restaurants.  From the moment you step on board, you can sit back and relax as the experienced captain takes the helm to sought-after destinations, plus there’s a combined chef/steward/deckhand to ensure your life on board is easy.

“ Our YachtQuarters shareholders have a dedicated Yacht Manager and access to our Concierge team. We take care of the calendar, the maintenance, the insurance, the berthing and the hiring of the crew.  That means you get to walk on and off with zero hassle – and that makes the yachting experience all the more special. ”

Joshua Cleaver, Princess YachtQuarters Manager

Your home from home – the YachtQuarters Princess Y72

Her elegant form and extensive glazing allow light to flood the open spaces throughout.  Flexible living is key with fixtures and fittings to suit.  Her sociable layout within the main saloon combines a bar area to the open plan galley with glass sliding doors and galley window that open to the convivial cockpit dining area, perfect for cosy sundowners.

Contemporary tones co-ordinated with light woods and panoramic windows create an enviable onboard space to while away those long summer days and spend quality time with family and friends.

Below deck, eight guests are comfortably accommodated across four ensuite cabins.  The full beam owner’s cabin takes pride of place with its private entrance via a spiral staircase from the saloon.  With ample storage space, a large ensuite bathroom plus a 55″ LED TV with Naim audio, the sophisticated owner’s cabin is furnished with a sofa, dressing area and vanity desk wrapped and stitched in Livorno Stone leather for a contemporary finish.  Further aft there is a crew cabin featuring two single berths and a private ensuite.

Externally, the YachtQuarters Princess Y72 has a fantastic choice of outdoor spaces within the cockpit, bow seating and sunpads and expansive flybridge.  Generous seating arrangements and wetbar facilities enable you to make the most of al fresco dining and balmy evenings in the Mediterranean.  Enjoy water sports with ease with her large transom featuring a foldaway swim ladder and shower, along with a Williams 435 tender and water sports toys including waterskis, wakeboard, two Seabobs, two paddle boards and snorkeling gear.

Expect speed and efficiency during your cruising, thanks to Princess Yachts’ signature design, ensuring comfort on the ocean.  Sit back, relax and enjoy your surroundings, as your experienced captain takes the helm. A sophisticated experience and power to thrill.

New cruising destinations to discover

Princess Motor Yacht Sales’ YachtQuarters boats are primarily based in Mallorca for exploring the beautiful Balearics, but the new Princess Y72 will also enjoy cruising to St Topez in the second year and potentially Italy in the fourth year.

Find out more about the exceptional YachtQuarters Princess Y72 with YachtQuarters and make an enquiry online – limited shares available.

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Dream Yacht Group Announces Solid Results and Launches New Fractional Ownership

The upcoming southampton boat show will provide an opportunity for the dream yacht group to take stock of the last twelve months and a true post-covid year. the company has a full order book of boats, good prospects and is continuing its environmental commitment, a record season for yacht charter.

It has been a successful season for Dream Yacht Charter, with excellent sales on offerings including sailing holidays with or without a skipper, crewed yachts and cabin cruises. Occupancy rates approached 100% during the very high season in mid-June through to early September, continuing the positive trends prior to Covid. Along with higher occupancy rates, the business is seeing an extended season in the Mediterranean, their most popular location, with bookings starting much earlier, from April-May, and ending at the beginning of winter.

“This summer, holidaymakers are choosing to sail in record numbers, driven by a real need to get away from it all, to enjoy the peace and quiet, far from the worries of Covid or the crisis”, says founder Loïc Bonnet.

The best-selling destinations are Croatia, Greece and the West Indies. The season was a real success for exotic destinations as well, with very good booking levels, especially in Martinique, French Polynesia, and the Seychelles.

Thanks to this positive trend, the Group will generate more income with 850 boats in 2021 than with 1050 in 2019. This is indicative of the return of Dream Yacht Charter’s regular customer base, along with an influx of new enthusiasts, attracted by the ease of chartering with a skipper or full crew option. Skippered and crewed charters have increased by more than 20% in one year.

In order to continue this dynamic, Dream Yacht is launching more than 150 new boats for the coming season, of which nearly 80% are catamarans.

Access to boat ownership – a busy order book

With the largest historical pre-booking of boat deliveries (monohulls and catamarans) from the largest French shipyards, Dream Yacht is in a central position in the market for unit acquisitions. 2022 has provided concrete evidence of commercial recovery, and forecasts for 2023 are already equivalent with over 160 boats to be sold by Dream Yacht Group next year.

Every boat marketed for charter via Dream Yacht Group or sold for private use comes from French shipyards, with 3/4 of the orders dedicated to Bali, Fountaine-Pajot and Lagoon brand catamarans, and 1/4 to monohulls. Deliveries are mainly planned for exotic destinations (including Seychelles, Thailand, and French Polynesia) and the United States, while 1/3 are destined for the Mediterranean.

Dream Yacht Charter UK franchise reacquired by the Dream Yacht Group : Partners for many years, the Dream Yacht UK franchise has recently returned to operate under the Dream Yacht parent company. With a range of exciting new projects being launched at Group level over the coming months, the UK team will join the USA and Europe teams in driving the UK market forward and will work closely in aligning strategy and promoting growth. The UK team remains the same and will participate at the Southampton Boat Show from 16 to 25 September.

New boat offers for 2023 : The catalogue of Dream Yacht offerings is growing with new models including Bali 4.4, Lagoon 51, and Excess 14 catamarans, as well as the Bali Catsmart.

Private ownership solutions : Several new programmes are being launched. The latest offering is the Shared Ownership access program. In response to strong customer demand, Dream Yacht is innovating and providing up-to-the-minute services that meet the expectations of the sharing economy.

Dream Yacht Sales, new Excess Catamarans dealer in the West Indies : Dream Yacht Sales, the boat sales division of the Dream Yacht Group, has become a dealer for Excess Catamarans, the Bénéteau Group’s cruising catamaran manufacturer and brand for the French West Indies. The Excess 14 was exhibited at the recent Cannes International Yachting Festival as a world premiere.

Southampton Boat Show – Meet the Dream Yacht teams on stands J140 and J158 between 16-25 September and be in with a chance to win a late summer 7-night bareboat charter in the Med – Find out more .

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