BoatTEST announces new leasing division

BoatTEST has announced a new division called BoatTESTLEASING which will market leases in new boats for their owners. The program is modeled closely after the highly-successful auto leasing model, with appropriate changes reflecting the different nature of the usage between boats and cars. 

Today, 31% of the automobiles on U.S. highways are leased, compared to 9% 20 years ago.  Further, according to NADA, 70% of the growth in expensive automobile sales is due to leasing.

“Surveys among our BoatTEST members indicate that American boaters are ready for boat leasing,” said BoatTEST owner Jeff Hammond, “as 43% say they are ready to lease a new boat and 75% say they will seriously consider it.”

The Basic Program

According to NMMA statistics, the average boat is only used 25 days a year. Owners of new boats who want to harness income from the days the boat would otherwise sit idle, can have BoattestLEASING market their boat to people looking for premium boats that they can use for far less cost than ownership. By selling numerous leases in a single boat, owners can collect significant monthly income.

The cost of slip rental, storage, insurance and regularly scheduled maintenance, is divided among all of the users, which results in a fraction of the operating expense for the owner and the Leaseholders. The lease terms will be for 48-months.

Specializing in Premium Boats

BoattestLEASING will specialize in marketing boats that are in the $100,000 to $500,000 range used for a variety of purposes. All new boats handled will be premium models built by the industry’s leading brands. The size range of the boats leased will be from about 25-feet to 38-feet. The types of boats that will be handled include center consoles, dual consoles, sportboats, wake boats, express cruisers, walkarounds, express fishboats, and catamarans.

Owners of new premium boats with fewer than 25 engine hours that meet the company’s guidelines of size, cost, quality and location, may enroll their boats in the BoatTESTLEASING program.

BoatTESTLEASING will manage all reservations online as well to secure the slip, insurance, and oversee all maintenance and repair.  At the end of the 48-month contract, all control and boat operational responsibility is contractually returned to the boat owner.  

David Aldrich is heading up the new BoatTEST division as general manager of dealer sales. Aldrich has been active in the boat rental and charter industry, selling franchises for Freedom Boat Club for three years and was most recently involved with Dream Yacht Charters. Aldrich is well-aware of the needs of boaters as well as dealers, having been a regional sales rep for Regal, Chris-Craft, Sea-Doo and other brands during is boating career. 

A Leasing Program Designed for Boat Dealers

“The BoatTESTLEASING program allows ‘Affiliated Dealers’ to participate in the upside of the growing shared access business, without added expense or work,” said Aldrich.  “There is no membership fee, nor are dealers involved with the hassle and expense of having to market and then manage leases, reservations, and maintenance. This program can only lead to more and easier new boat sales for boat dealers.” 

“BoatTESTLEASING will create increased showroom traffic, a new source of serious sales leads, and a new business profit center,” Aldrich said. “ It will also create new selling opportunities for boats near curtailment or which are non-current.”

BoatTEST “Affiliated Dealers” can enroll new boats into BoatTESTLEASING’s program and earn a commission on the sale of the program, as well as on any subsequent leases it sells. Contact info@Boattestleasing.com for more information.

First Leased Boat: Pursuit DC266

The first boat being made available for lease is a Pursuit DC266 powered with twin 200-hp engines which is located in St. Petersburg. Fla. at the Maximo Marina. The owner purchased it from Quality Boats in St. Petersburg, in consultation with BoatTEST, and the boat was chosen because of its versatility for fishing, watersports, coastal cruising, and entertaining. 

BoatTESTLEASING is planning a strong promotional campaign for selling the leases in BoatTEST, social media, and through its “Affiliated Dealers.”