A KEEN sailor is hoping to make a splash in Suffolk with the launch of a new business.Alastair Norman, 39, has launched SailTime from Woolverstone Marina which offers a sailing membership akin to a club membership.

A KEEN sailor is hoping to make a splash in Suffolk with the launch of a new business.

Alastair Norman, 39, has launched SailTime from Woolverstone Marina which offers a sailing membership akin to a club membership.

Members pay a monthly fee starting from around £400 a month to enjoy the use of a plush boat, and the business takes care of everything else.

The monthly fee for members is usually less than the marina fees alone.

Mr Norman said that when a member has finished their day out on the water, they simply check off the boat and walk away with no worries about depreciation, maintenance, or servicing.

Each boat is shared by a maximum of seven members and one owner-member with members guaranteed a minimum of seven outings a month either between 10.30am and 6pm or 6pm and 10.30am

Mr Norman said: “As well as providing a hassle free sailing experience, we are also going to arrange local events giving an added social aspect for members.”

“Our aim is to open up sailing on the east coast for those people who love the idea of owning a boat, but are not sure where to start.

“This is a great way for people to get out and use a boat without the hassle and grief associated with it.

“We want people to have some fun.”

The business currently has one boat, a brand new Beneteau Oceanis 343, but Mr Norman is expecting to buy a further boat by June.

He said: “Over the next three years we plan to build the business up to ten boats - three this year, three next year and four the year after.

“We may put them at different locations on the east coast.

“Woolverstone is our first base but we will look at other locations including possibly Woodbridge.”

For more information on SailTime contact Mr Norman on 01223 257533.

WEBLINK

www.sailtime.co.uk