Press Release
07-02-2008: SailTime Members can choose from Spring Greek Odyssey or Winter BVI Flotilla
Budding sailors who are contemplating Membership of the UK’s leading sailing membership company should act quickly to take advantage of SailTime’s invitation to join two exclusive SailTime flotillas planned for 2008.
In addition to providing hassle-free, regular sailing at a choice of bases in the UK, Netherlands and South of France, SailTime is arranging to take its Members further afield with leading yacht charter company Sunsail for two week-long flotilla holidays. The first will take place in the Ionian in May, with a second week in the British Virgin Islands in November. Sunsail is providing SailTime Members with an all inclusive fly-sail package at a preferential rate.
The option to go on SailTime flotillas is particularly good for those SailTime Members who may not feel confident chartering their own boat and sailing in unfamiliar waters. SailTime staff are on hand on a lead boat and can take up to six other SailTime boats in the flotilla. Choices of boats are available for booking, ranging from 39ft to 47ft, and the yachts provided are either Bénéteau or Janneau. With ideal winds and sailing conditions, the Ionian provides a popular sailing destination – with perfect anchorages and fishing villages and plenty of tavernas to enjoy. In November, the flotillas will cruise around the beautiful British Virgin Islands, stopping off at well known spots such as Virgin Gorda and the Bitter End Yacht Club.
SailTime is the UK’s leading fractional sailing programme. It offers the concept of fractional sailing to everyone, from novices to experienced
sailors, giving them the regular use of a brand new yacht at a fraction of the cost of owning one independently. Members belong to a specific base, and have a share in a sailboat moored there, with typical costs in the region of £499 per month including vat.
The SailTime monthly Membership fee – usually less than the marina fees alone – covers all maintenance, insurance, servicing and berthing fees for the boat. The yachts are available all year round with the exception of a two-week maintenance period in winter when they are taken out of the water. Each boat is shared by a maximum of seven Members and one Owner-Member. SailTime can also offer training to get Members to the required standard.
SailTime currently has bases at Falmouth, Gosport, Hamble, Ipswich and Lymington and this year new bases will be opening at Chichester, Chatham, the South of France (Antibes), Plymouth and Poole. SailTime is well-established in the USA with a further 37 bases. There are also bases in the Netherlands, Canada and the Caribbean.
Notes to editors:
• The monthly Membership fee for a brand new Bénéteau 323 Océanis Clipper is from £499 including vat. There are no other costs for Members - SailTime pays for all the marina fees, maintenance, insurance and running costs.
• SailTime members can utilise other SailTime bases in the UK, USA, Caribbean, South of France and Netherlands
• Members are required to join for an initial 12 months, after nine months there is a rolling 90 day notice period.
• SailTime Members check on and off the yachts using the SailTime E-ttendant™, which guides them through a series of safety and equipment checks. Members pay a £1,750 initiation and training fee (which includes vat) for a two-day course which includes use of the online calendar and E-ttendant™, training on the specific yacht; navigation, electronics and general layout of the boat, and orientation day-sail.
• Members place £1,000 as a security deposit against any minor damage a Member causes to the boat. SailTime refund this £1,000 at the end of the membership.
• The yachts are available all year round, with the exception of a two week maintenance period between January and February when they are taken out of the water.
For more information about SailTime please visit www.sailtime.co.uk or contact Jonathan Duffy at SailTime UK: Tel +44 (0)2380 574727, Mob +44 (0)771 774 0257
More press information is available from Jane Adkins or James Tuck at ADPR: Tel +44 (0) 1460 241641 or Fax: +44 (0)1460 242719 or by email: jane@adpr.co.uk or james@adpr.co.uk
February 2008 (PR 92 Flotillas)