Would you ever rent your boat as a liveaboard?

JeffBurright · #1 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009

Hi all,
I'm contemplating moving down to Portland for a while and leaving my sailboat (which I currently live aboard) at its slip in Seattle until summer and potentially beyond. I'm also toying with the idea of renting it out as a liveaboard while I'm away to defray slip costs, but I thought I'd ask around to see if anyone has done it and what the experience was like. Specifically, I'm curious about the following:

-- What kind of arrangement did/would you make with the renter regarding maintenance if needed?

-- What was the agreement if the renter damaged the boat? What about damage to their property due to fire/sinking/etc.?

-- Would you let them take the boat out sailing if they had sufficient experience? What about if you wanted to take the boat out for a day or weekend, is that a faux pas?

-- What other 'rules of the house' did/would you establish for someone living on your boat?

-- Any other pitfalls to consider?

-- Horror stories (if true) are welcome.

Thanks,
Jeff

Stillraining · #2 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009

This goes pretty much the way of "would you charter your boat" a thread you might want to check out as well.

For me it would come down to what my feelings are for the boat...If its my pride and joy then no..but if your pretty detaached from it emotionally and its 'just a boat" that can be replaced by another if need be then the short answer is yes.

I will leave all the other stuf to the other thread for you to read.

davidpm · #3 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffBurright

Hi all,
-- Would you let them take the boat out sailing if they had sufficient experience? What about if you wanted to take the boat out for a day or weekend, is that a faux pas?

Not exactly the same thing but my friend has a boat he lives on during the summer. When he goes on vacation the boat is mine. I take it out day-sailing. Of course I fuss over the boat a lot more than he does so he doesn't worry. And of course I'm the one that is usually sailing with him when he is here.

This is such an individual arrangement I depends on the people involved.

One trick you could borrow from the charter people is to hold a deposit equal to the deductible of the insurance.

night0wl · #4 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpm

One trick you could borrow from the charter people is to hold a deposit equal to the deductible of the insurance.

I'm pretty sure that (come time to make a claim) you'll be uninsured due to violating your policy if you rent out your boat. You may say that its hard to prove, but insurance agencies are getting pretty picky about cutting $100k+ checks lately

sww914 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009

I did it. I ended up with 6 dead and unchargeable golf cart batteries ("Generator was too loud"), a missing solar panel (storm), a missing 12' aluminum skiff with a good outboard, and several hundred dollars not paid. He says that he moved off of the boat and forgot to tell me, so he doesn't owe me, the solar panel shouldn't have blown off, and that the guy he lent my skiff to knew me but he can't remember his name. Tom maybe. I never saw it again.
It's been a long time and I'm still pissed.
By this time, if I still had the boat, the solar panel would be inefficient at best, the outboard dead and the batteries would have been replaced at least once again and I'm still pissed.
at least I sold the boat for what I had in it.

tager · #6 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009

Insurance is a scam, and it corrupts the legal system, and is a waste of law enforcement dollars that could be better spent than sending patrol cars out to document petty damage and theft. I hate insurance companies. They are leeches.

Stillraining · #7 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009

Yes you will more then likely have to start a charter co to be able to rent out your boat legally as far as liability and ins coverage..it could still work with the right people..

Its being done both successful and unsuccessfully as we speak I will guarantee you that.

Insurance is a good thing...scamming on it on each other and involving Lawyers is whats caused the problem with about everything you can point at in society. Insurance is a piece of paper...a contract..it cant screw anyone ..its the deceit and lies we put on them or break them with that do the screwing and hurt people.

If you were in my shoes you would be glad I had it.

JeffBurright · #8 (**permalink**) 12-21-2009

Well I'm only in for 15K plus a whole lot of sweat equity since she's an older gal, but I do love her. I was thinking more about the risks of a clueless renter, but now you've got me worried about a shifty one too. The insurance point is a good one too - I couldn't remember how that would roll out legally if I'm not on hand when damage occurs.

I may put out feelers on craigslist anyway and see what breed of folks respond, and take it or leave it from there. I'd prefer to believe that there are other responsible, good-natured dreamers out there. Thanks for the advice.

If the insurance company asks, we never had this conversation.

imagine2frolic · #9 (**permalink**) 12-21-2009

In this economy the %s are high it will not be a good deal for you. Listen to the person who lost his dink.......i2f

wind_magic · #10 (**permalink**) 12-21-2009

I probably would not do it in your situation just because you are going to be gone, it would be different if you could drive by and check on the boat from time to time. If it were a house you'd have the same problem, you would need someone local who could check in on it, or a property manager. If you have a close friend you can really count on who is willing to handle it for you then maybe. No renter is going to love the boat like you do.