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An Océanis 393 for a transatlantic race
The first experience took place in 2017. These sailor friends were regular sailors, with one transatlantic crossing already under their belts. At the time, they were looking for a sailboat to buy when they heard about a couple who had just moved to Guadeloupe, leaving their Océanis 393 in Greece. This active couple had neither the time nor the inclination to carry out a transatlantic crossing to bring their yacht closer to the West Indies. Pedro and Tanguy are going to offer to charter their sailboat while escorting them to their new island.
More than a true charter, it's an exchange of good will. The 2 friends benefited from the yacht for 6 months and sailed to the West Indies at their own pace. At the time, the yacht was rented for ?1,000/month. A ridiculous rate compared to a weekly rental. But in the end, it enabled the owner to invest a little in his sailboat and, above all, to save on cargo transport or delivery by a professional skipper.
A unique experience for all
Of course, this type of deal can only be made with open-minded people, based on a relationship of trust. Entrusting your sailboat to a stranger who will have to take care of it as if it were his own can always seem a delicate matter. But Pedro says: " We didn't really write a contract, we left a deposit of ?2,000 and we took care of the boat's maintenance, taking care of repairs and monitoring the on-board mechanics. For example, we restarted the dinghy's outboard motor and dealt with electrical problems. Today, this owner-couple have become our friends, and we still enjoy friendly exchanges with them. "
A first 345 for Indonesian navigation
The second experience in 2019 was a little different. Pedro discovered, via social networks, a First 345 owner who was on a round-the-world trip. At the time, he was in Bali and wanted to take a break from his trip to return to mainland France for a while. Rather than leave his boat on its own, he decided to lend it to 2 friends to live on for 5 months. This time, there was no final destination, and the two friends could go wherever they wished, as long as they ended up somewhere accessible by air. So they set off from Bali to Papua New Guinea.
This time, the First is in worse condition than the Océanis. The financial part of the rental is almost ridiculous, since the boat was rented for ?300/month (always with a deposit). But this contribution enabled the owner to replace his mainsail at the end of the trip!
Sailboats wintering in the West Indies
Pedro has also found someone who offers long-term charters in the West Indies. This time the rental is more expensive, as it goes through an intermediary and is on more upmarket yachts. This person has a fleet of sailboats which he winters and suggests to their owners that, if they don't want to let them lie idle, they rent them out, even at a lower cost, which will enable them to reinvest in maintenance or equipment. This time the rentals - Pedro made two - lasted between 1 and 3 months.
On the way out again?
For winter 2025, Pedro tries again. He's back on the lookout for the rare pearl, once again posting an advert on his networks. For this season, he's ideally looking for a sailboat that needs to make a transatlantic crossing. He can well imagine an owner who doesn't want to embark on a long sail, but whose idea of discovering the West Indies, its trade winds, its sunshine and its translucent waters appeals to him. Are you this owner? Contact Pedro: pa.chapelet[at]gmail.com
