Defining “Owner/Operator”
Oh, the freedom of a boat you can maintain and operate yourself. The ‘Owner/Operator’.
You may have heard the pitch before…
A salesperson labels your dream boat as a “great owner/operator”, but what does that mean and how should it affect your next purchase decision?
We’re diving into the term “Owner/Operator” to clarify its appropriate use, what to have in a boat you’ll operate yourself, and squash some of the assumptions behind the term. Truth is, whether a boat can be run successfully by its owner has much more to do with the owner than it does with the boat. When finding a great Owner/Operator boat for yourself, it starts with understanding your abilities and translating them into your personal preference list to drive your selection process.
So, what does “Owner/Operator” mean?
A boat is a great Owner/Operator (“O/O”) if it requires no support from hired crew for its owner to operate. At least that’s our definition. Your broker may see it otherwise.
It’s important to note O/O doesn’t necessarily mean you’re running the boat solo, it just means owning and operating the boat yourself. Keep this in mind as some of our discussion mentions situations of solo operators.
Since operating a boat means different things to different people, it’s important to know the variables impacting why someone feels a boat is well fit to be run by its owner just as much as a hired crew. And although someone else’s opinion may hold merit, you are the only one who knows exactly what you’re looking for in a boat you can operate and maintain yourself.
What variables influence the O/O designation?
Drivability
Let’s start with the most obvious: Easy to Drive. A good O/O should be easy to drive with simple and dependable controls, 360-degree sightlines, and a set of maneuvering features to help you move the boat successfully from A to B. In my humble opinion, just because a component is high-tech and/or expensive doesn’t mean its universally ID’d as valuable for the O/O life. Joysticks are a good example. A set of quality throttles and thrusters grants plenty of control for any operator keen to learning, and a poorly calibrated joystick may have a negative effect on your vessel control skills. Should those expensive systems malfunction, you need to swiftly depend on source components to operate safely.
I never considered a joystick to be one of those “must have” items for easy operation, yet it’s the key trait to many O/O sales pitches. Same goes for autopilot, remote control docking systems and extra screens at the helm. We’re much more concerned with the bones of the drive system than the shiny new toy(s) integrated into the dash. Tread lightly on your wallet if thinking you need all the high-tech maneuverability gadgets to run a boat yourself.
Featured Summer Day Boat
2021 VanDutch 40 (62 hours): $925,000
One expensive drivability feature I’ll always push to O/Os is Dynamic Positioning. This is where the boat stays in place with the press of a button, using software and the vessel’s latitude/longitude location to adjust the boat’s placement by engaging engines and accessories in small doses. It might run you .5-1.5% of your boat’s cost if building new, but what a treat it is...
Hull shape and weight also have a big role in O/O life. I like a heavier boat since its less affected by wind and current, especially in a storm when you’re trying to tie up your boat solo. No one enjoys being a sail in the wind while your bow tails into a neighbor. Seriously consider making a bow thruster one of your “must haves” just for peace of mind should you find yourself in a similar situation. While it’s frequently shunned by European builders, you cannot argue with the convenience it offers in a sticky situation.
Define the drivability requirements you need before setting out to your next boat show. They are different for everyone. Just keep in mind that more simplicity might equal more enjoyment when you’re the one behind the wheel.
Don’t Miss these Considerations
It’s easy to get caught up in the shiny new toys featured on each boat, but what about relevant features to O/Os that might get swept under the rug?
Is it easy to access and deploy fenders? Can you drop and retrieve your anchor from the helm? How long does it take to put on your boat cover? What are the monthly maintenance requirements?
Fender Access: It’s so important to have quick access to fenders, whether you have a rub rail or not. If fenders were your last line of defense before taking on damage, how easily would you like to access them?
Anchor Operation: Automated anchors are becoming commonplace, especially in day boats, but years ago they were a luxury. If you’re looking to operate yourself, you’d prefer to deploy and retrieve the anchor without having to leave the helm. Consider a fully automated anchor in your “must have” O/O list. For a view of what the anchor is doing at all times, consider the inclusion of an anchor camera and light, although it’ll set you back a few more bucks.
Boat Cover On/Off: No captain? You’re responsible for covering and uncovering your beautiful boat, so be sure you ask how long the process takes and how many separate covers it involves. There’s usually a correlation between the number of covers and the time it takes to put them all on.
Monthly Maintenance? If you’re planning to hire a maintenance company, this isn’t really for you, but it’s good to know anyway. If you’re planning to maintain the boat monthly, you’ll want the strainers (filters for raw sea water) to the engines, generator(s) and air conditioning systems to be easily accessible and easy to clean. A low maintenance black water pumpout and easily accessible and manageable fuse panels are premiums as well.
Seek Out Simple & Dependable Processes
If you have choices in drivetrain, straight shaft configurations are simplest, while outboards come a close second. As your own operator, you may not visit the boat as frequently as a full time captain. You’ll want systems with longevity who can fight against water-based erosion or electrolysis. A boat is no good sitting at the yard waiting to get fixed.
While drives are important, I’m more focused on the electrical system for any O/O. Is it managed by an analog breaker panel, or a more complex digital panel? You’ll have no complaints when everything works well, but assuming your digital screen loses power, is the source controller easy to access if you’re running the boat yourself? You’ll want to consider what you’ll do if/when systems fail to make sure the boat is prepared for your experience level.
Most important is the boat’s on/off process, something you’ll be enduring whenever you arrive to and depart from your boat. Anything with an easily accessible power panel and a nearby set of engine ignitions has my vote.
What does Owner/Operator mean to you?
This is the key question! Consider the brief intro we’ve discussed and create an O/O framework for your boating style. Don’t let someone tell you what a great Owner/Operator boat is. No matter how many sexy features and cool design qualities are on-board, your definition of Owner/Operator is the only designation that matters.
So, what’s the most important feature of an Owner/Operator boat to you? Share your thoughts in the comments of our Owner/Operator YouTube video.
Looking for a boat you can operate and manage yourself? Complete our Boat Builder Profile and I’ll send you a few options matching your preferences.
