Guaranteed Income

This is a lease‑back style arrangement: you purchase a Sunsail yacht and place it within our charter fleet under a management contract. In return, we manage the yacht on your behalf and pay you a fixed, guaranteed monthly income, while covering all the day‑to‑day running costs for the duration of the agreement.

Contracts are typically structured for around five to six sailing seasons, depending on the yacht model and selected base. The exact term and dates are outlined in your individual Sunsail Ownership Agreement and may vary according to yacht type and destination.

The programme is available on selected sailing catamarans and monohulls at key bases in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, the Americas, and other global destinations. Eligible models and locations may change from time to time as fleet planning evolves.

We establish a fixed annual yield as a percentage of the yacht’s purchase price, and this figure is used to determine your monthly guaranteed income. This payment is not linked to how frequently your individual yacht is booked, as Sunsail assumes and manages the charter revenue risk across the fleet.

Owners receive payments on a monthly basis in the contract currency – typically GBP, EUR, or USD, depending on where the purchase is completed. Many owners choose to finance their yacht so that the guaranteed income helps offset most or all of their loan repayments, although the exact outcome will depend on the lender’s terms and your chosen financing structure.

Under the Guaranteed Income programme, Sunsail covers routine berthing fees, scheduled maintenance, standard repairs, insurance, and the everyday running costs required to keep the yacht in charter service.

Owners are generally responsible for their own financing and interest costs, vessel registration or documentation where applicable, travel to and from Sunsail bases, and incidental expenses during their owner trips, such as fuel, provisioning, and optional crew.

Sunsail owners receive an annual allocation of owner‑use points which can equate to up to 12 weeks of holiday each year, depending on how and when those points are redeemed. This time can be spent aboard your own yacht at its home base, or on comparable “sister ships” at other Sunsail locations, subject to availability.

Yes. Rather than always sailing your specific yacht, you can book similar Sunsail vessels in a range of destinations worldwide, generally matched by size and category, in accordance with the terms of your ownership agreement.

The programme does not impose traditional blackout dates, although peak travel periods—such as major holidays or high‑season weeks—usually require earlier booking and may use a higher number of owner‑use points per day sailed.

Your owner allocation covers the charter value of the yacht itself, but you are responsible for expenses such as fuel, food and beverages, optional extras (for example, kayaks, paddleboards, or Wi‑Fi), turnaround or cleaning fees where applicable, and any hired skipper or crew.

Sunsail’s management service covers all operational aspects required to keep your yacht charter‑ready: regular cleaning, mechanical and systems servicing, scheduled haul‑outs, cosmetic upkeep, and comprehensive safety checks in accordance with Sunsail’s fleet standards.

Core maintenance is planned and carried out in line with our established fleet procedures, meaning you are not required to authorise each individual task. For major works or upgrades outside the standard programme, owners are welcome to discuss their preferences with our team on a case‑by‑case basis.

Damage caused by charter guests is normally covered through Sunsail’s insurance and charterer damage deposits, so owners are not charged for ordinary wear and tear or insured guest‑related damage. Different terms apply in cases of excluded incidents or damage occurring during owner use, as outlined in your agreement.

When your contract term concludes, Sunsail owners typically choose from three main options:

Trade into a newer Sunsail yacht and start a fresh Guaranteed Income term.

Take full private possession of the yacht and continue sailing independently.

Sell the yacht, often through Sunsail’s brokerage partners who specialise in ex‑charter vessels.

If you wish to trade into a new yacht, Sunsail can offer a trade‑in value for your existing ex‑charter vessel, which can then be applied towards the purchase of a new model entering the ownership fleet.

At handover, you receive an ex‑charter yacht maintained to Sunsail fleet standards over approximately five to six years of charter operation, complete with a documented maintenance record. Many owners choose to carry out a personal refit—perhaps cosmetic enhancements, new sails or canvas, or updated electronics—before embarking on extended private cruising.

If you decide to sell, you’ll sign a brokerage listing agreement and pay a commission based on the final sale price. The broker will market your yacht to buyers familiar with ex‑charter catamarans and monohulls. Working with our specialist brokerage helps reach clients seeking well‑maintained former Sunsail yachts.

The programme is open to qualified buyers from a wide range of countries. Eligibility depends on meeting purchase requirements and, where relevant, securing financing approval.

Sunsail offers bases in the Caribbean (such as the BVI, St Martin, and Grenada), the Mediterranean (notably Croatia), the Americas (including the Bahamas and Belize), and several other selected regions. Availability for new Guaranteed Income yachts varies each year according to demand and fleet planning.

The process typically includes: contacting Sunsail Yacht Ownership, discussing your budget and preferred model, reviewing personalised financial projections, signing the purchase and management agreements, and then scheduling your first owner trip for when the yacht enters service.

Each owner has a dedicated Owner Care Team who assist with bookings, travel planning, and end‑of‑term decisions, working closely with local base staff in every destination you visit.