An analysis of the 220 clients across 31 Ownaship’s vessels underscores his point: “There’s a noticeable pattern – a general trend of ‘upgrading’ to bigger boats shared between fewer owners.
“Sharing a boat – with a berth in an easily accessible marina – eliminates the problem.
THE FLEET
Barker says the Ownaship model offers a ‘sharing solution’ to every kind of client, whatever the experience level, budget and boating aspirations.
CHANGING PREFERENCES
Barker also believes the ‘profile’ of the typical Kiwi boat owner has changed (and continues to change), and says various factors are driving the shift. A vessel in a Westhaven berth means easy access, and all the responsibilities of boat ownership – securing a berth, insurance, security, maintenance, cleaning – are eliminated. “Going back 10 or 15 years, the typical owner was a chap focussed on fishing with his mates – with an occasional ‘family day’ thrown into the mix.
Westhaven-based Ownaship – the country’s biggest boat-share player – recently took delivery of its 11th Rayglass 3500 launch.
“Many traditional boaties have far more diverse interests these days – boating is no longer the all-consuming activity.
“You only have to consider the pattern in Sydney to see how the scarcity of marina berths has resulted in a massive growth in boat sharing companies. “Many are newbies – people who’ve never boated before – or perhaps have minimal boating experience. For example, the trend might see an owner selling a sixth share in a Rayglass 3500 and buying a quarter share of a Maritimo M55 – or even a half share.”
Ownaship’s research found that clients spent more time boating (on average) in a given year than a typical sole owner with the sharing model. THE RAYGLASS 3500
Accounting for more than a third of the Ownaship fleet, the Rayglass 3500 is a favourite ‘sharing’ boat, typically owned by a syndicate of six members.
“I think their ‘step-into-the-unknown’ is made a lot easier by our training programmes. Today it’s switched 180° – it’s more about cruising with the family or friends – and very little fishing.”
THE FUTURE
The acute shortage of marina berths in the greater Auckland region, says Barker, is another factor in the growing popularity of the sharing model.
“It’s a very affordable price point,” says Barker. Yes, boats might be bigger and more complex, but with ‘can-do’ technology like bow-thrusters and joy-stick manoeuvring, it’s much easier to operate a bigger vessel.” Twin engines and a bow thruster make for easy manoeuvring – it’s not a daunting boat to handle, even for relative beginners.”
“On the flip side, though, there is much greater interest in bigger, more comfortable and luxurious vessels. The company now operates 31 vessels – the other 20 range in size from Rayglass 2500 runabouts and medium-size launches to the ultra-luxurious Maritimo M55 and sailing and power catamarans. Our training and support give them the confidence to easily skipper large vessels – our shareholders are among the best-trained skippers in the country.”
Adds Rayglass sales director Scott Little: “It’s built around a sea-friendly hull with an easy motion. The boat-sharing concept gives someone access to a boat he/she might not be able to justify as a sole owner.
“Most of these new shareholders come to us via word of mouth. Ownaship says Barker “has doubled the size over the last 24 months.” Like the other 10 in the fleet, this one belongs to a syndicate of six owners, a sharing model Ownaship managing director Simon Barker says has multiple attractions.
He adds that there’s also a noticeable shift in how people use their boats. The 31 vessels in the current fleet include Rayglass 2500s, 2800s, 3500s and 4000s, one Elite AT43, three Fountaine Pajot sailing cats, and a Fountaine Pajot MY40 power cat, two Maritimo X50s, three M51s and the new M55. That’s appealing to people who don’t have a lot of experience or time”. To meet the growth, another Rayglass 3500 will join her siblings later this year, with another two arriving next year. It’s another component in their busy lives, which means the associated boat-owning responsibilities are even less appealing.
Our vessels typically operate on half-, quarter- or sixth-share models.
Written by: Matthew Thomas
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