RPAYC Fleet of six ‘Force 24’ keel boats up for sale

by Damian Devine on 11 Apr 2014 The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Newport will soon retire its fleet of six Force 24s. The fleet have taught literally 100s of people to sail and have been used extensively in the club’s coveted Youth Development program assisting in the development of skilled sailors such as RPAYC club members James Spithill and Nina Curtis. The boats have been used for both match racing and fleet racing regattas and used by members to compete in regular club racing.

A fleet of Elliott 7s has been acquired by the club which have arrived and will be ready for use by the end of April.
The club must now determine the future of the Force 24s but hope to see these boats used to continue to promote the sport of sailing. The club is seeking interest in;

1. Outright purchase of the entire fleet; or
2. Outright purchase of a single boat, or multiple boats; or
3. An annual lease arrangement where the marina fees and maintenance costs are paid by the user for exclusive access to the vessel.

Based on five year maintenance averages (including new sails every two years) the cost for a lease with the boat kept on the marina would be $9,000. No account is made for the capital cost of the vessels as cost is based on storage and maintenance costs only which makes it an extremely good opportunity. This is one of the preferred options for the club as it would achieve the club’s aims of increased participation and providing affordable access to boats.

The club is also very interested in receiving proposals from commercial sailing schools and/or yacht charterers and also notes the opportunity to establish a base at the RPAYC in the soon to be refurbished Moonbar building.

A number of clubs, commercial operators and individuals have expressed interest and the club now seeks formal expressions of interest. If you have a proposal to put to the club, please articulate;

- The number of boats you wish to purchase
- How you intend to use the boats
- The price you are prepared to offer
- Other information you seek

The deadline for Expressions of Interest is 30 April, 2014.

The vessels are kept on the C Arm of the RPAYC marina and can be viewed at any time. If you’d like to make an appointment for a discussion regarding this offer, please contact David Randall on 9998 3700 or email davidr@rpayc.com.au