SailTime is a boating-lifestyle franchise offering fractional ownership, boat club memberships and watercraft access services, serving recreational boaters and lifestyle-seeking customers, and known for turnkey business operations, proprietary software and proven network support.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
21
+
-13%
-13%
Franchise fee
?
$25,000
Investment
?
$75,000 - $152,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$0
+
n.a.
n.a.
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SailTime was launched in 2001 in Austin, Texas, by George Bonelli, who set out to create a more approachable and cost-effective way for people to experience sailing. The brand later moved its headquarters to Annapolis, Maryland, as it continued to grow its presence in the boating industry.
The company built its model around a fractional membership system that gives individuals regular access to high-quality sailboats and powerboats. Members reserve time on their vessels through an exclusive online scheduling platform, making it easy to plan outings with plenty of flexibility.
SailTime introduced franchising in 2009, allowing entrepreneurs to join the network and build businesses around this membership-based boating concept. Its franchise structure provides a turnkey path for those who want to operate within the recreational marine space.
What makes SailTime stand out is its blend of shared access, tech-driven scheduling, and hands-on customer support. Clients get many of the perks of boat ownership without the hassle, while franchise owners benefit from predictable recurring revenue and a customer base that tends to remain engaged over the long term.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a SailTime franchise is
$75,000 - $152,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$25,000 – $35,000
Equipment – 1st Boat
$28,000 – $32,000
Travel and Living Expenses During Initial Training
$500 – $2,500
Lease Costs
$1,000 – $4,000
Fixtures
$1,000 – $5,000
Signage
$1,000 – $5,000
Computer
$1,500 – $2,500
Inventory
$1,000 – $5,000
Utilities
$500 – $1,500
Advertising
$5,000 – $15,000
Business Licenses
$200 – $500
Employee Wages
$0 – $12,000
Employee Uniforms
$250 – $1,000
Insurance
$2,000 – $5,000
Additional Funds (three months)
$7,725 – $25,950
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$74,675 – $151,950
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$25,000 – $35,000
Equipment – 1st Boat
$28,000 – $32,000
Travel and Living Expenses During Initial Training
$500 – $2,500
Lease Costs
$1,000 – $4,000
Fixtures
$1,000 – $5,000
Signage
$1,000 – $5,000
Computer
$1,500 – $2,500
Inventory
$1,000 – $5,000
Utilities
$500 – $1,500
Advertising
$5,000 – $15,000
Business Licenses
$200 – $500
Employee Wages
$0 – $12,000
Employee Uniforms
$250 – $1,000
Insurance
$2,000 – $5,000
Additional Funds (three months)
$7,725 – $25,950
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$74,675 – $151,950
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is SailTime's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
SailTime had 22 total units in 2024, of which 21 were franchised-owned and 1 company-owned.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The SailTime franchise provides several structured training programs for franchisees and their personnel to ensure consistent operations and safety standards. Here are the key training initiatives provided by the franchisor:
Initial Training for Franchisees Franchisees are required to undergo initial and ongoing training as detailed in Section 4.6 of the Franchise Agreement. This training is part of the obligations under Item 11 and is necessary for the proper launch and continued operation of the business.
ASA-Certified Sailing School Training Unless the franchisee has operated an American Sailing Association (ASA) certified sailing school for at least 12 months prior to signing the agreement, they must establish such a school. This school will train and certify members in safe boat handling. The school serves dual purposes—generating revenue and feeding potential members into the SailTime system.
Member and Owner Training Franchisees are responsible for conducting training and certification for both members and owners of watercraft. This ensures individuals are competent in operating the watercraft and using the Embark scheduling and base management system.
Territory Protection
SailTime franchisees are granted a defined territory for their business operations. The franchisor provides guidelines and criteria to help franchisees choose a marina location, and once approved, this area becomes their designated territory.
The approval process considers factors like marina quality, access to navigable waters, and safety, ensuring a strategic location for each Base. Although SailTime assigns a territory, the documents reviewed do not confirm exclusive territorial rights or protection from other franchisees or company-owned locations.
The absence of explicit exclusivity means that franchisees should carefully review the Franchise Agreement and consult legal advisors to fully understand any competitive risks. Still, the defined territory does offer some degree of operational clarity and planning assurance.
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