By: BoatBurb Staff
Le Boat is expanding their luxury houseboat ownership program to North America. The expansion of their popular Boat Ownership Program will now include Canadian destinations, as well as their existing 8 European locations.
The ownership program is designed for boaters who enjoy boating for several weeks a year, but do not necessarily need or want full-time ownership. Owners can enjoy up to four weeks in Canada and six weeks in Europe per year, and they can be taken on any boat in Le Boat's chartered fleet and in any of Le Boat's cruising regions. The program offers up to 10 weeks of cruising per season, and Le Boat will charter the boat out when not in use by the owner. This gives the owner a guaranteed income of six percent of the purchase price each year, paid monthly, regardless of charter activity. Le Boat also offers a guaranteed buy-back of 50% of the initial cost after 7 years, meaning that investors will know their exit value from the beginning of the program.
Le Boat takes responsibility for the vessel in the owner’s absence and covers the costs of boat repairs, dockage, storage and insurance, so there are no operating fees for the owner. Maintenance and labor costs are also covered, as well as the purchase of new parts when needed. Maintenance includes a weekly check to ensure a safe and clean condition, as well as an annual checks, haul-outs, and end of season winterization and upkeep.
Owners who buy into the program do not need a boat license or previous experience. The boats are easy to drive and Le Boat provides training prior to operation. The list of cruising regions around the world includes:
Canada: UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canada · France : Canal du Midi, Burgundy Region, The Lot, Aquitaine, Alsace-Lorraine, Carmargue, Brittany, Charente · England: Thames River · Ireland : Shannon and Erne Rivers · Scotland: Loch Ness and The Caledonia Canal · Italy: Venice and Fruili · Netherland: Holland and Amsterdam · Belgium: Flanders · Germany: Mecklenburg, Brandenburg and Berlin
The company currently has over 900 boats stationed at 36 different departure points across Europe. In Canada, 30 boats are available for rental on Ontario's Rideau Canal and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can read the full press release below:
Smiths Falls, Ontario (Feb. 6, 2022) - Le Boat, worldwide leaders in canal boating, are excited to announce the expansion of their popular Boat Ownership Program to American and Canadian travelers. The program has also added Canadian houseboat holidays to its roster of destinations which already included eight European locations.
“Our program has been hugely popular among European and UK travelers. Expanding into North America gives the dream of boat ownership to Canadians and Americans and offers the chance to own a brand new luxury Horizon Cruiser,” said Lisa Mclean, North American Marketing Manager for Le Boat. “Our ownership program makes the possibility of owning your own boat simple and worry free so you can focus on vacationing on some of the world’s most beautiful waterways."
The Le Boat ownership program is suitable for travelers who enjoy boating more than a few weeks per year and offers a fantastic opportunity to make a substantial saving on their holidays. Le Boat’s ownership program allows committed cruisers to enjoy up to 10 weeks of cruising per season in Canada and Europe. Le Boat will charter out the boat when the owner isn't using it, giving the owner a guaranteed income of six percent of the purchase price each year-paid monthly, regardless of charter activity. What’s more, Le Boat offers a guaranteed buy-back of 50 percent of the initial cost after a seven-year period, meaning that investors will know their exit value and options from the beginning.
No Boat License or Previous Boating Experience Required There’s no need to have driven a boat before to become a Le Boat Owner. All boats are easy to drive and Le Boat teaches boaters everything they need to know to captain the boat - no boat license or previous boating experience required. Boaters will quickly realize how easy it is and soon become confident navigating & cruising the waterways.
Access to All Le Boat Bases in Europe & Canada Le Boat owners can enjoy up to four weeks in Canada and six weeks in Europe per year They can be taken on any boat in Le Boat's chartered fleet and in any of Le Boat's cruising regions, with a choice of 36 bases. On average, previous boat owners take eight cruising weeks per year, totaling more than a year’s worth of holidays over the course of the full program. If they take full advantage of their entitled time, owners can holiday for an incredible 70 weeks in total (over 7 years). Alternatively, owners can give away their vacant weeks as gifts to friends and family or to increase their income, they can even sell some of their allotted weeks for holidaymakers to use in the low season.
Cruising Regions Purchasing a boat often limits owners to a single cruising region or requires them to trailer their boat to a new waterway in order to discover new destinations. Le Boat however offers owners the use of any of its boats in 17 cruising regions across 9 countries in Europe and Canada. Why not explore them all?
· Canada: UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canada · France : Canal du Midi, Burgundy Region, The Lot, Aquitaine, Alsace-Lorraine, Carmargue, Brittany, Charente · England: Thames River · Ireland : Shannon and Erne Rivers · Scotland: Loch Ness and The Caledonia Canal · Italy: Venice and Fruili · Netherland: Holland and Amsterdam · Belgium: Flanders · Germany: Mecklenburg, Brandenburg and Berlin Zero Operating Cost or Maintenance Fees Le Boat takes responsibility for the vessel in the owner’s absence and covers the costs of boat repairs, dockage, storage and insurance, so there are absolutely no operating fees for the owner. It truly is a worry-free way of owning a boat. The professional maintenance and labor costs will also be paid for by Le Boat as well as the purchase of new parts when needed. The maintenance includes a weekly check to ensure that the craft is kept in a clean and safe condition, as well as an annual checks, haul-outs and end of season winterization and upkeep, giving owners great peace of mind.
For more information about the Le Boat Ownership Program visit our website at https://www.leboat.ca/en/boat-sales or call 1-800-734-5491 and someone from our Le Boat Sales Team will be able to answer all of your questions. About Le Boat Le Boat, a leader in canal boat rentals in Europe, has more than 50 years of experience in the industry. With 900 boats stationed at a network of over 36 different departure bases across 8 European countries, Le Boat arrived in Canada in 2018 and now has a local fleet of 30 boats available for rental on the Ontario’s UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal. With no previous boating experience or boat license required, Le Boat shows you how to captain your boat at your own pace on a flexible itinerary while living onboard. Travelers can choose a luxury houseboat holiday that is 3-5 nights or a 7-10+ night vacation. All of Le Boat luxury boat rentals come with a fully equipped kitchen, fresh linens and bedding, top sun deck, BBQ and much more! Visit www.leboat.ca for more information about a boat rental vacation.
