Catamaran Guru has been at the forefront of developing and operating the “Yacht As A Business”, or for us, “Catamaran As A Business” concept. We have not only advocated it to our clients, but have personally benefitted from this program. We found that most yacht owners use this program as an avenue to acquire the cruising catamaran of their dreams for retirement at a huge discount. Others, like ourselves, use the yacht charter revenue together with the business tax deductions to reduce the costs of owning a very nice yacht that we enjoy now.
Whatever your reason, Catamaran Guru’s team of experts can set up your yacht charter business in compliance with tax authorities to suit your individual financial and personal goals.
Watch our in-depth interview with one of our yacht-as-a-business boat owners. He shares details and his experience about owning a charter yacht and working with Catamaran Guru. He is candid about how the yacht charter business program he chose is working for him and talks openly about the challenges of charter boat ownership, tax advantages, actively managing the business, and his first year revenue and profits.
You, too, can work with Catamaran Guru to discover the pitfalls and get expert advice when you work with us.
What Is A Yacht or Boat Business?
A yacht or boat business is a fairly simple concept and is structured much like any other for profit business. By placing a yacht into a corporation (usually an LLC) and operating it actively for profit, either directly or through a third party management company, the owner is able to generate substantial tax advantages that further offset the cost of ownership. For U.S. buyers who are in high income tax brackets, this is definitely an option of ownership that should be explored.
The tax benefits must be carefully planned and documented to make sure that the business activity can withstand scrutiny. There are very specific rules and requirements that need to be complied with in order to meet the standard of actively operating a business for profit and taking tax advantages.
The goal is to structure your boat business in such a way that you have the intent and ability to make a profit! What you CANNOT do, is structure this business with a flawed business plan of “limited charter” and purposely run it at a loss to avoid wear and tear on your boat while offsetting the cost of ownership with business tax deductions. You CANNOT “pretend” to be in business! However this program, when done correctly, offers the least expensive alternative to own a boat!