SailTime Opens New Base in Anacortes, Washington

SailTime
Published: July 20th, 2021

Sailboat Membership Club Franchise Opens New Location Serving Washington’s San Juan Islands

July 20, 2021 // Franchising.com // ANACORTES Wash. - SailTime Group, a boat membership franchise, is proud to announce the grand opening of a new base serving sailing enthusiasts along Washington’s San Juan Islands. New members of SailTime Anacortes can reserve use of a Hanse 348 this summer, a yacht that earned one of Cruising World magazine’s Boat of the Year awards in 2019.

Unlike your typical boat club, SailTime members have monthly access to the same boat for an affordable fee, and they only share the vessel with a handful of other members. The membership includes the cost of insurance, marina fees, cleaning, and maintenance.

Dennis Palmer, program manager for SailTime Anacortes, says SailTime’s incomparable yacht sharing program is ideal for boaters who enjoy regularly exploring the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands but who aren’t ready to buy and maintain their own boat.

“It’s one of the best cruising grounds in the world,” says Palmer, a lifetime sailor and a certified American Sailing Association sailing instructor. “Anacortes is about two hours north of Seattle, and we’re the gateway to the San Juan Islands. We’re in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, so we have great sailing weather. On the ocean side of the Olympics, you see 200 inches of rain a year. On this side, we get just 14 inches of rain and 230 dry days per year - plenty of beautiful days on the water.”

First in the fleet at SailTime Anacortes is a 2020 Hanse 348, which Palmer calls the “BMW of boats.” There are memberships available for summer 2021. Built to greet the elements with a smile, Hanse’s website says the boat has a higher rig and sportier sail plan to guarantee maximum performance. There are two double cabins below deck and several windows that usher in a fresh breeze.

“German engineers got together and created what they call the Hanse Easy Sailing concept,” says Palmer. “They went over every system in the boat and said, ‘How can we make this easier for the sailor?’ The result is one of the most pleasant boating experiences you can imagine.”

Boaters can find SailTime Anacortes at the Cap Sante Marina, located at 719 28th Street in Anacortes, Washington.

What is SailTime?

• SailTime is an affordable alternative to boat ownership. The National Marine Manufacturers Association reports more than 70 percent of U.S. boat owners earn less than $100,000 a year.
• With a fee that starts at only a few hundred dollars a month, SailTime members can conveniently schedule blocks of time online to enjoy a new model sail or powerboat without the commitment or expense of ownership. The membership fee includes the cost of insurance, marina fees, cleaning and maintenance.
• Boat owners can offset the cost of ownership by adding their boat to the SailTime Anacortes fleet, allowing a handful of members to use their boat each month. The base manager will handle regular maintenance, preventative care and repairs. Boat owners are guaranteed monthly usage of their vessel and enjoy all the benefits of boat ownership without the hassle.

SOURCE SailTime