When purchasing a yacht, many potential buyers struggle with the idea of purchasing an ex-charter catamaran as opposed to a privately owned yacht. So before you make a decision, it is important that you understand the advantages and disadvantages of buying an ex-charter catamaran so that you may make an informed decision when the time comes.

Distinct Features

Ex-charter cats typically have three distinct features:

1. They are generally 50% cheaper than a brand new yacht. This is why potential buyers are enticed by ex-charters in the first place; it is cost-effective.

2. An ex-charter catamaran does not have an owner’s layout but rather a charter layout. Most ex-charter yachts have four cabins and four heads, but the total area of the yacht is the same from that of a non-charter yacht. Meaning that while it may have the same amount of space, the rooms are divided into smaller quadrants. This may prove to be inconvenient if you are looking for larger cabins that are more expansive and accommodating.

3. An ex-charter cat is going to have a lot of engine hours on it, roughly five times more engine hours than a privately owned boat. This wear and tear will obviously decrease the lifespan of the engine and the boat. Of course you can always overhaul the engine yourself, but that proves to be a tricky and often daunting process.

Important Points To Consider

Imagine this: When you rent a car from Hertz, it is virtually impossible to know where the vehicle was used or who the driver was. This uncertainty is unnerving and a reason why many used car buyers do not make the decision to purchase an automobile from a rental car facility. This thought process can be directly applied when purchasing ex-charter catamaran. The ambiguity of the boat’s whereabouts is unsettling, especially if during the usage of the boat it incurred some unforeseen damage. But unlike a vehicle that can pullover on the side of the road and wait for a tow truck, your yacht’s malfunction could leave you stranded at sea.

Purchasing a yacht is not like purchasing a bicycle or an automobile but rather it is similar to purchasing an aircraft. Regular maintenance must occur to keep the cat in working order. The rudders might be bumped or bottomed out, leaving the material underneath delaminated. But you might never discover this until it is too late. A survey can help to inform you of the boat’s history, but rarely are they comprehensive. From the sails to the keels, the intricacies of a catamaran are vast and expansive, and if they are not all in working order they could prove to be life-threatening.

Brokers Make It Easy

A yacht broker can help to make your decision easier and bring certain aspects to light. A broker has the responsibility to tell their customer the good and bad aspects of a transaction. Many brokers have a difficult time remaining unbiased in the process, as they are solely focused on making the sale.

At Aeroyacht, we understand that delivering on our devotion to our customers is our number one priority. Even if that means biting the bullet and telling our customers information that could potentially push them away from a sale. At the end of the day, we pride ourselves on our transparency and our honest relationship with our customers.