PNW Bareboat

[wizard]

Hello -
Years ago, after we completed a brief trawler training course in Annapolis, and took a bareboat charter in the PNW. Shortly after, we purchased a Grand Banks 36, and basically lived aboard for six years, moving up and down the east coast. We sold our boat about three years ago, and I comforted myself with the notion that, in the future, we could bareboat again in the PNW. But now, I'm really disappointed (a bit shocked, actually) at the cost of a bareboat charter from a charter service.
I do recognize the facts surrounding a charter, such as wear and tear, potential damage, loss of owner use, etc. And there is some assurance of a well-maintained boat from service. But I'm seeing eye-watering prices. Is this just the way it is, with hundreds of $ per person per day, through the charter companies, or is there a more affordable approach?

Thanks,
Wizard

 

[Mac2]

What was the cost years ago, and what is it now for a Grand Banks 36? Im guessing the increase has a lot to do with insurance rates. A lot of boats got beat up during the covid run-1st timers trying to escape.

 

[Ken E.]

I keep my boat near NW Explorations in Bellingham, a charter company having many Grand Banks. At their prices, they are busy in the summer with lots of their boats coming and going. They are charging what the market will bear and it's not cheap. It's a situation of if you don't have a boat and you want to go out for a couple weeks, it's going to cost. But you bring the boat back and walk away from all ownership costs. That business model works for them and obviously for many customers too.

 

[luna]

You might want to try looking North of the border where the Canadian dollar is worth about $0.73 USD. Yes, fuel for the boat and the passengers will be more expensive, but how much can either drink in a week.

This one looks like it would be familiar to you.

Contigo | Boat Charters in Vancouver

It is a pleasure to welcome such a lovingly maintained Grand Banks 36 into our fleet, such as Contigo. This well-maintained classic is kno...

www.nanaimoyachtcharters.com

According to the listed rate for 7 days at high season, it works out to $6,500 / 7 days /4 people x 0.73 = $170 each per night.

 

[sjisailor]

Another option is to consider off season chartering, which may be discounted. It's been a while since we have chartered but if I recall correctly, I've seen offers like "10 days for the price of 7" or "second week 50% off". The risk is somewhat higher odds of windy weather or rain, but OTOH you would enjoy them on a boat

 

[DDW]

When pricing the charter, make sure the price given is all in. I was somewhat surprised at how much the insurance, tax, cleaning fees, damage waivers, etc. added to the bill. I chartered once out of Bellingham for the minimum allowed of 4 days in the type of boat we were thinking of buying. > $4000 but well spent in the end because it confirmed our decision.

Looking at prices right now, a quick trip up to SE AK would cost well over $100K in the boat we own. That makes boat ownership look a little more reasonable.

 

[JDCAVE]

We chartered two vessels with "Desolation Sound Charters" before we bought Phoenix Hunter, just to get experience and to understand if this lifestyle was correct for us. It worked well. Prices have approximately doubled since we chartered in 2012.

Our Fleet - Desolation Sound Yacht Charters

desolationsoundyachtcharters.com

Jim

 

[Ken E.]

....a quick trip up to SE AK would cost well over $100K in the boat we own (if we had to charter).

I like that argument and sometimes mention it to my wife. 'You know dear, if we didn't have our boat and chartered for a two month Alaska trip, it would be big bucks'. Fortunately she concurs with the logic.

 

[ktdtx]

We chartered two vessels with "Desolation Sound Charters" before we bought Phoenix Hunter, just to get experience and to understand if this lifestyle was correct for us. It worked well. Prices have approximately doubled since we chartered in 2012.

Our Fleet - Desolation Sound Yacht Charters

desolationsoundyachtcharters.com

Jim

Interesting..I chartered Allegria (still in their fleet) for 2 weeks in 2013. Nice boat, enjoyed the adventure.
Don't recall the price, of course thought it was expensive at the time but think was less expensive than now.

 

[JDCAVE]

Interesting..I chartered Allegria (still in their fleet) for 2 weeks in 2013. Nice boat, enjoyed the adventure.
Don't recall the price, of course thought it was expensive at the time but think was less expensive than now.

We met the owners of Allegria at Shoal Bay a number of years ago. We helped them dock and caught their dock lines as the currents can get quite squirrely there at different stages. I understand he still owned the boat as recently as a couple of years ago, but don’t know if that is still the case.

Jim

 

[darkside]

In 2018 we managed to get a one way 40' bare boat from Ketchikan to Anacortes via Glacier Bay. That meant the only places we visited twice were Ketchikan and Petersburg. The owner and his wife took the boat to Ketchikan and did the handover themselves which was very pleasant.
One of our best boating experiences ever.
One nice surprise was we got the state sales tax back as we had only been in Washington state for one night in Roche.