Cruise the Med
The world will return to normal – and when it does, there are opportunities cruise the Med on a luxury catamaran without buying the whole boat.
01 February 2021
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For those who have dreamed about owning a boat in Europe without having to pay all the expenses, Australian company YSM Global now offers syndicated ownership of Fountaine Pajot catamarans, operated from their base in Marmaris, Turkey.
Each of the six shares gets five weeks during the season from April to October, with time in the off-season basically unlimited. YSM Global manages the preparation of the boat as well as handovers from one owner to the next during the season, and then takes care of the boat during the winter.
YSM is a member of the Mariner Boating Group with founder Trevor Joyce on hand to lend his 35 years’ experience in the Med to trip planning.
Although the operational base is in Turkey, a yacht can be moved between seasons to a temporary base elsewhere, such as Greece, Croatia, Italy, France or Spain.
YSM has a long association with the world’s biggest charter company, which operates bases throughout the Mediterranean region and their facilities are used to maintain, service and repair yachts between each usage, away from the main base.
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YSM also manages the finances and all repair and maintenance work is billed at cost every three months and divided between the six shares.
At present, there is a new Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 catamaran on order from the French builder. This yacht is an owner version and the extensive fit-out includes up-sized engines, air-conditioning, generator, solar power, a furling headsail and furling gennaker, slab reefed main and everything else necessary to create a home away from home.
Living on a cat means owners can go into port at night – just drop anchor and come ashore via the dinghy; the dedicated power winch makes the task easier.
There are only two shares remaining, with the other four held by two share holders. The decisions are currently being taken about the first season and the yacht will either spend that season making her way from La Rochelle in France to Marmaris, or she will be delivered to Turkey and then work her way back over the subsequent three years.
The Astrea has been hugely popular since launch in 2018 and, in fact, there are 45 on the production line.
“We will make her unique, so that you can combine comfort, the sea and the fascination that comes with Europe plus the gratification that comes from ownership,” says Trevor Joyce.
“At the end of the day, we will communicate with you in your own language, in your own time, and with a professionalism that will inspire your confidence.”
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