Fractional yacht ownership firm partners with broker

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – Fractional yacht ownership firm SharedYachts has signed a three-year agreement with sales and brokerage firm, Black Pearl Yacht Sales and added two new Florida locations, it reported in a recent statement.

The deal between the two Florida-based companies will extend the benefits offered by SharedYachts’ fractional ownership to Black Pearl Yacht Sales’ new product lines, including watercrafts from Renzo, Hunt, Post and Santa Cruz. It also contributed to SharedYachts’ recent expansion to Naples and Marco Island, according to the company.

The new boats from Black Pearl Yacht Sales, now available with SharedYachts’ flexible fractional ownership options, will be showcased at this year’s Fort Myers Boat Show, Nov. 8–11.

In addition to the new watercrafts and locations offered as part of the contract with Black Pearl, SharedYachts currently offers fractional ownership and leasing, as well as limited chartering, on more than 14 yachts and boats from a variety of manufacturers in coastal cities throughout Florida, including Cocoa Beach, Port Canaveral, Merritt Island, St. Petersburg, Naples, Marco Island and Fort Lauderdale. Available yachts range in size from 30 to 60 feet and the company plans to offer a 98-foot vessel beginning in the first quarter of 2008. The company also is focused on expanding to additional locations throughout the east coast, California and the Great Lakes, as well as the Caribbean and Virgin Islands.

SharedYachts’ fractional ownership and leasing programs reduce the cost of ownership, eliminate upkeep time and allow even novice mariners to enjoy entertaining or vacationing aboard a fully maintained yacht, according to Mark Casburn, SharedYachts CEO. Each boat is owned by a Limited Liability Company (LLC), managed by SharedYachts, which handles all maintenance, accounting and administrative tasks for the vessel. Potential owners purchase a number of shares in the LLC, entitling them to the use of the yacht for a number of days proportionate to the size of their shared ownership. The owners are then billed monthly for their portion of operating expenses, which are typically less than dockage fees for the entire boat under sole ownership, the company stated.

Yacht management at SharedYachts includes concierge services to help plan special events or vacations, as well as yacht training to familiarize inexperienced boaters with their new purchase. The program also offers customer support 24 hours a day/7 days a week and online scheduling. Additional luxury services are also available, including catering, on-board chefs, transportation and yacht positioning.

• For more of the latest news, click here.