Behind the Scenes: How Your Sunsail Yacht is Maintained
10 Sunsail Yacht Ownership Myths – Busted
Owning a yacht is one of those bucket‑list dreams – the sort you picture happening “one day”. Maybe when the children are older. Maybe when work finally eases off. Maybe once you’ve mastered every sailing knot in the book… or when you finally win the lottery.
But here’s the secret Sunsail owners already know: “one day” doesn’t have to wait. For many, their ownership journey started the moment they decided to take the plunge and join the Sunsail Yacht Ownership Programme – without quitting their jobs, selling their homes or memorising an encyclopaedia’s worth of sailing techniques.
The truth is, yacht ownership with Sunsail is far more accessible and flexible than most people realise. And while there are plenty of myths about what it takes to own a yacht, we’re here to bust some of the biggest and show how real people are making this dream a reality right now.
1. “I already charter. Why would I want to own?”
Reality: Ownership gives you all the perks of chartering, plus a whole lot more.
Chartering is a brilliant way to dip into sailing now and then, but owning through Sunsail turns those occasional getaways into something richer, more personal and more rewarding. With your own yacht in the fleet, you still have access to Sunsail’s global network of destinations, but you also have a “home boat”: your yacht.
That means no getting used to a new layout every trip, no hunting for where things are stowed and no adjusting to unfamiliar equipment each time you step aboard. It’s your galley, your kit, your comforts and (if you wish) your favourite cruising grounds, just how you like them, trip after trip.
And when you’re not on board, your yacht is out on charter, earning income, being professionally maintained and ready for your next adventure. It’s everything you already enjoy about chartering – upgraded into a lifestyle that feels uniquely yours.
2. “My kids are too young for this lifestyle.”
Reality: Whatever age your children are, it is the perfect time to start raising little sailors.
From a baby’s first crawl on deck, to a toddler proudly collecting shells on the beach, to older children learning knots or snorkelling over coral, sailing offers hands‑on adventure at every stage of childhood.
One day your child might be spotting dolphins; the next they’re helping raise the main or working out which way the compass points. Every new anchorage brings something different to discover and every moment afloat is a chance to share simple, practical adventures together as a family.
Sunsail catamarans are designed with families in mind, offering a safe, stable platform with plenty of space to play and relax, inside and out, with options such as safety netting around the foredeck for extra peace of mind.
3. “Boats depreciate too fast. It’s not a smart investment.”
Reality: The Sunsail program turns ownership into a rewarding, income-generating experience.
With traditional private ownership, a yacht often sits unused, costing you money in maintenance, insurance and berthing while gradually losing value. In the Sunsail Yacht Ownership Programme, you receive a guaranteed monthly income for typically five to six seasons, regardless of how often your yacht is chartered.
Sunsail covers the major running costs – maintenance, insurance, dockage and routine cleaning – so your time on board is about enjoyment, not upkeep. Even better, you can enjoy up to 12 weeks of sailing each year, not only on your own yacht but also on sister ships at more than 20 Sunsail bases worldwide – from island‑hopping in the Caribbean to exploring the Amalfi Coast and beyond.
At the end of your term, you own a professionally maintained yacht outright, ready to keep, sell through Sunsail’s brokerage or trade in for a new model. Instead of being a constant expense, your yacht becomes an asset that has been working for you throughout the programme.
4. “Travelling to my yacht will be expensive and complicated.”
Reality: Sunsail bases are strategically placed near major airports, so getting to your yacht is often quicker and easier than you think.
Sunsail bases are strategically located near major international airports, with a wide choice of flight options, making it simple to arrive and start your holiday the same day.
Whether you’re sailing in the British Virgin Islands, exploring the Bahamas or cruising the coasts of Greece and Croatia, the journey from airport to yacht is designed to be straightforward. No marathon drives or fiddly logistics – just step off the plane, take a short transfer and step aboard.
Many owners also combine their time afloat with a few days ashore, turning a week under sail into a longer, more rounded escape – exploring local towns, beaches or cultural sites before or after their time on the water.
5. “I’m not experienced enough to be a yacht owner.”
Reality: You don’t have to be a pro sailor to get started. Experience comes with the journey.
You don’t need decades at the helm to step into yacht ownership. Many Sunsail owners started with limited or no sailing background and built their skills over time.
Sunsail offers RYA courses in the UK and other locations, options to hire a skipper, flotilla holidays to boost confidence and full on‑base support to guide you at each stage. You can build experience at your own pace, with expert back‑up on hand.
And if you prefer engines to sails, sister brand The Moorings’ powercats are designed for straightforward handling and require no sailing experience at all. Whether you favour sail or power, the real requirement is a sense of adventure and a love of the water.
6. “Selling your yacht later will be a hassle.”
Reality: We make transitioning out of ownership smooth and stress-free.
When your Sunsail ownership term ends, you have clear options – and none involve being left to sort everything out alone. You can keep your yacht for private use, sell it and step away, or trade into a newer model and start a fresh programme.
If you choose to sell, Sunsail’s established brokerage network can handle the process on your behalf – marketing, viewings, paperwork and negotiations – while you focus on what’s next. Many owners choose to roll straight into another yacht; once you’ve had guaranteed income and global sailing privileges, it’s hard to imagine going back.
Whatever you decide, the aim is the same: a smooth, simple and low‑stress transition.
7. “I’ll wait until I retire to own a yacht.”
Reality: Why wait to live your dream?
The Sunsail Yacht Ownership Programme is designed to fit around your life now – whether you’re growing a career, raising a family or juggling multiple commitments. Owners range from their 20s through to their 80s, each finding their own way to enjoy the freedom of ownership.
You might spend a week with the family exploring quiet bays and snorkelling in clear water, invite friends for a relaxed adults’ escape or use your yacht time as an occasional solo or couples’ retreat to properly switch off.
With 20‑plus Sunsail destinations to choose from and up to 12 weeks of owner use each year, no two trips need to be the same. One holiday might take you island‑hopping in Belize, the next to the Seychelles or off‑grid anchorages in Tahiti. Your yacht doesn’t need to be a “retirement dream” – Sunsail’s model makes ownership achievable much sooner.
8. “I’d have to stay in one place.”
Reality: Your yacht stays in one base. You don’t have to.
With the Sunsail Yacht Ownership Programme, you can sail from more than 20 bases worldwide. Cruise past the limestone cliffs of Phuket, explore the Whitsundays or meet giant tortoises in the Seychelles – the options are wide open.
You get the best of both worlds: the reassurance of knowing your own yacht is professionally cared for at its base, and the freedom to discover new destinations whenever you choose, using equivalent sister ships across the fleet. Wherever you go, you’ll find the same Sunsail standards – well‑maintained yachts, well‑equipped bases and helpful local teams ready to welcome you aboard.
9. “I won’t get my yacht in peak season.”
Reality: Owners get priority access, and there are no blackout dates.
With Sunsail, peak season is very much open to owners. You benefit from priority booking and guaranteed weeks, rather than competing with the general charter calendar.
Whether you’re planning for school holidays in the Caribbean or summer cruising in the Med, the Owner Team will work with you to lock in preferred dates and make the most of the best weather and local events.
10. “Maintenance sounds like a nightmare.”
Reality: That’s our job, not yours.
With Sunsail, ownership comes without the usual maintenance worries. Professional base teams take care of routine servicing, antifouling, repairs, cleaning and day‑to‑day checks. Each yacht is carefully looked after throughout the year, so you don’t have to juggle yards, contractors or service schedules.
When you arrive for your owner weeks, your yacht is cleaned, stocked, fuelled and ready to cast off. After you leave, Sunsail manages the turnaround and any required work. You get all the benefits of having “your” boat, while specialists handle the hard work behind the scenes.
The Real Story: Yacht Ownership Is Closer Than You Think
Sunsail Yacht Ownership isn’t about owning a boat for the sake of it. It’s about waking up in a quiet bay with the family still asleep below, watching the sun go down from the flybridge in a new country and feeling free to go wherever the wind takes you – without waiting for “one day”.
From sunrise coffees in peaceful anchorages to dinner on deck as the sky turns orange, every day brings a new view and a new memory. Ownership with Sunsail is accessible, flexible and unforgettable – and the best part is, you don’t have to wait to get started.
Ready to bust a few myths of your own? Explore our current ownership opportunities and see just how achievable your sailing ambitions really are.
