ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Fractional boating provider SailTime Group LLC saw significant growth in the first half of 2009, including the launch of several new bases and a record number of new members, the company reported this week.
“In spite of the struggling economy, and perhaps even as a result of it, more people are looking to fractional boating as a way to maintain their lifestyle on the water," SailTime CEO George Bonelli said in a release.
In the first half of 2009, SailTime added more than 300 new members, compared to about 200 during the same period last year, the company said. That brings SailTime’s total global membership to almost 1200, which SailTime said makes it the largest fractional boating program in the world.
During the same period, SailTime also launched a new base in Bristol, R.I., as well as two bases in Europe, located in La Spezia, Italy, and Golfe Juan, France. In addition, a new base was launched earlier this month in Australia and one is planned for New Zealand next year.
