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Our 'Explorer' syndicate has been created to give members
the opportunity of cruising some of the most picturesque waterways
of the UK, France and beyond for a fraction of the cost of normal
boat charter and without having to spend a lot of money on a
boat that you only use for a couple of weeks a year.
This is only possible because the BV
825 'Explorer'
has been designed to go pretty well anywhere by road and/or car
ferry and then simply be launched down a slipway. Members don't
even have to tow the boat themselves (though they can if they
want).
Drawing on our experience with the Bon
Viveur 1500 syndicates which are now enjoying their second successful
season, we are able to offer 15 x 3-week shares in a BV 825 for
a once-only payment of £3,650 incl. VAT. (7 still available).
Two of these weeks (which do not need
to be consecutive) will be taken in the UK and/or in France and
will be on fixed dates between April and October selected by
members according to which country they would like to cruise
in and the availability of dates. The third week will be taken
between November and March, and the dates will be drawn from
a hat. Weeks can be swapped between members.
If you are worried that you might not
be able to use your winter week (because of school or other commitments),
think about buying a share (or shares) jointly with a friend
or relative who doesn't have these commitments. Grandparents
may very well be glad of a week's winter sun with guaranteed
waterside location!
The BV 825 'Explorer' is a new 27ft x 6ft 9ins canal boat in the
style of our highly acclaimed BV 1500. It will sleep 4 in two
separate cabins, has a fully equipped galley, central heating,
pressurised water system, shower and flushing toilet. The hull
is built from super-tough epoxy composite that won't rust, rot
or suffer from osmosis and will require almost no maintenance.
It is light enough to be towed, but strong enough to withstand
the rigours of the inland waterways.
The boat will be fully equipped for
4 people and will carry two folding bicycles.
Auxerre on the River Yonne in Burgundy
has been proposed for the spring of 2007. We have in mind the
Kennet and Avon, based at the Barge Inn, Honey Street near Marlborough,
UK for the summer of 2007 and then off down to the Canal du Midi
near Carcassonne in SW France for the autumn, or possibly Cahors
on the River Lot. Southern Portugal has been pencilled in as
a possible base for winter 2007/8 and Alcoutim, 20 odd miles
up the River Guadiana on the Spanish/Portugese border looks quite
promising.
Each share confers actual ownership
of 1/15th of the boat and entitles shareholders to three weeks
use of the boat between their chosen dates every year for ten
years. When, at the end of ten years, the boat is sold, the net
proceeds of the sale will be distributed among members according
to their shareholding.
Shares can be bought, sold or exchanged
- even bequeathed.
Annual operating expenses - covering
insurance, licences, maintenance, road transport and ferry costs
- are divided equally among shareholders and are expected to
be around £200 per cruising week (£600 per share,
per annum).
On that basis and assuming that the
boat is worth absolutely nothing at the end of ten years (which
would be a bit surprising), as a syndicate member, you will have
spent around £320 per week for your use of a boat on which
you can cruise some of Europe's most picturesque and fascinating
waterways.
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