T&T: Request for Comment: chartering a loop boat

[Elliott Bray]

We have been considering alternative plans for our next couple of years,
given the instability of the stock market (and thus our retirement nest
eggs). One of the ideas that has continued to seem logical is that we might
be interested in leasing "Letitia" rather than cruising on her ourselves
during the next season or so.

I am not soliciting clients at this time.  Rather, I interested in eliciting
comments in a several general areas. (My apologies for cross listing this
but I think there are different interests/opinions to be found on the
different lists).

My thought is that there are potential loopers who would rather
lease/charter a boat than to either borrow in these times or to invest in a
property which has a high depreciation and currently is hard to resell. I
know there have been some questions/discussions on the list in the past but
I haven't found them yet.

I will be visiting with my insurance company and will start tracking down
Coast Guard requirements (although comments/information along that line
would be welcome)

1)	General comments/thoughts on the concept
2)	Thoughts on short term (measured in months) vs. long term (a year or
more) lease
3)	How would you price it?
4)	How would you structure the agreement from my perspective?
5)	If you were interested, what would you like to see in such an
agreement?
6)	Whatever I forgot.

Thanks for your input.

****************
Elliott Bray
M/V Letitia - Gulfstar 44 MC
www.loopcruiser.com
****************