Swap Cruisers for a week??

[Dream 'Inn]

Just curious, has anyone everyone swapped use of boats for a week?  Like, just for vacation use? Let's say, I'm here in the Chesapeake, and someone on the board here is in Italy with a boat of similar size.  Both wanted to see each other's ports and hometown by boat.  Seems like it could work, although maybe driving in the different countries may not work without all the proper paperwork?  I know somehow the charters do it.  I guess another thing would be insurance.

Maybe it would all work better staying in country?  Let's say I'd switch with someone in Florida?  I'd love to see some of the area down there by boat.  It would also not have to be the same weeks.  Actually might be best, that way the owner is around just in case.

I keep looking at these charters down in BVI and would love to do it, but thought, heck, I bet someone would love to come to the Chesapeake as well.  Maybe I'd get myself into a real mess.  I am pretty picky about my boat and cleanliness of it.  Not that the wife would probably let it happen either....but still, makes me think.  I'd be bit more at ease with someone on this forum, before I'd ever just do the swap with anyone.  It definitely would need to be someone knowledgeable with boats (hopefully them owning one would help).  Each should give them a rundown of the boat and local area knowledge, maybe even set up a trip of where to go and things to avoid.

I guess in a way it'd be like the swapping houses that people do.  You'd still wash the bedding, sweep up, only difference is fill her back up with fuel.   (I guess again the biggest thing would be insurance  )

[GJH442]

Would seem very complicated to me but .........................heres a little different slant to it.
If we posted our vacation plans and a fellow RBO was located where we are going, lets take each other out for a ride and show off our home turf and share a little info about the local restaurants etc.
I live in western Lake Erie on the Canadian side and would be more than happy to show an RBO member around.

I will be in Marathon Florida the first week of February and Virginia Beach the second weekend in April.
Any RBO members ?

[Sea Hare]

Like they say... lending out your boat and lending out your wife... they both come back the same way....

[Dream 'Inn]

GJH442,
I'm always up to take someone for a ride, or meet up with a fellow RBOer if in the area on their own boat.  Not a bad idea!

Like they say... lending out your boat and lending out your wife... they both come back the same way....

I hear ya....  But...if you shared boat pics first, and both look to be in good shape (or same shape), I don't know...like I said, it'd be hard to do, but sure could be a fun experience if you could get it to work.  I'd have to find someone that sweeps the boat every other day while on vacation, checks the fluids before each start, rolls the eisenglass in towels each time they come down, etc. 

[frodo13056]

I like the idea of posting vacation destinations - like say if someone was going to be in the Chicago area, I'd be happy to meet up and show off the city if the lake is playing nice.
We took a cruise out of Seattle last September and while in Seattle, I couldn't help but wish I knew some RBO folks in the area that would have taken us out for a spin.
We were also in AZ last February and I know there are some RBO folks in AZ. Would have LOVED to see Lake Powell from the lake rather than the shore - same as Lake Mead, Apache lake, etc.

I'll certainly offer up that if anyone happens to be in the Chicago area - drop me a note and like I said, if the lake is cooperating, I'd be willing to plan a day out!
 

[Lifes Good]

Frodo13056,  I am here in Seattle or at least an hour south of Seattle.  Boat or Car. To bad we didn't hook-up!
I really like the idea but I must captain my own boat... I am just to picky clean!  Last summer I did this with another RBO member.  He never took his boat out of Lake Washington thru the locks to the sound.  I hooked up with him at his marina and helped him thru the steps to get to the big saltwater.  You should have seen the grin on his face!  I sure hope he can make it out this next summer.  We have 4 other local Rinkers getting together and the more the better!

LG

[Corral42]

We did the Moorings BVI last March, a 47' powercat. A beautiful new boat, but you could tell that others do not treat what is not theirs with the same care.

[Dream 'Inn]

We did the Moorings BVI last March, a 47' powercat. A beautiful new boat, but you could tell that others do not treat what is not theirs with the same care.

I'd love to hear more about it!!  that is something that I would love to do at some point.  Having your own boat down there would just be fantastic!

[Corral42]

We did the Moorings BVI last March, a 47' powercat. A beautiful new boat, but you could tell that others do not treat what is not theirs with the same care.

I'd love to hear more about it!!  that is something that I would love to do at some point.  Having your own boat down there would just be fantastic!

It was a boaters paradise, we spent 9 days there and heading back next year. Doing the Bahamas this year.

[frodo13056]

LG - I saw Lake Washington and the locks from the Space Needle - had no idea that there were locks like that in Seattle. We did take a harbor cruise when we got back from our Alaskan cruise but eh... wasn't as nice as having my boat there!
I'll for sure drop you a line if we head back to Seattle!

[Capt Ron]

Dream Inn, I looked into the power-cat thing last year.... Here's how it works... The company sells you a brand 50ft Power-cat for $500K US. You put down $100K and lease the rest for four years. At the end of the lease the power cat is yours or you can trade it for a new one. The company keeps the Cat in Florida and will fuel it, clean it and charter it out for you. In most cases the company actually gives you a cheque every month instead of you paying the lease. They will work out the numbers. You can use your boat up to 12 weeks a year without affecting your cash flow. Its a complete turn key arrangement, you don't even do your own dishes. Very tempting..

[Corral42]

Dream 'Inn I posted a couple of pictures from the trip last March. The boat is the actual one we used.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3218041339687.2161145.1525999986&type=1&l=94d77ba5e1

[Rinker342]

Beautiful pictures!!   

[Dream 'Inn]

Nice Pics Coral!!  Definitely looks like the way to go! 

Ron, that really does sound tempting.  Do you know anyone that has done it?

[frodo13056]

Nice pictures - that must have been a great time for sure!