NEW ORLEANS – SailTime Group LLC, the world’s largest boat membership company and 2016 Inc 5000 honoree, announced Stanton Murray as the new owner of the SailTime New Orleans franchise. Murray is the third Beneteau Yacht Dealer in North America to integrate with SailTime in 2016, joining Harbor Sail Boats in San Diego, California and Great Hudson Sailing Center, in New York, NY.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Murray has more than 40 years of experience in the marine industry. He is the president of Murray Yacht Sales, Inc., which specializes in the sale of new and used power and sailing vessels 30-60 feet in length. He also owns SailTime Tampa Bay, which he opened in June of 2015. His company is the largest dealer of Beneteau sailboats in the Southeast market. Murray has also operated an American Sailing Association sailing school since 1983.
“SailTime has been a welcome addition to the Murray Yacht Sales family in Tampa Bay, so I have no doubt it will be well received by the sailing community in New Orleans,” Murray said. “We are already adding new Beneteau vessels to both franchises which we are proud to exhibit at the St. Petersburg Boat Show from Dec. 1-4.”
Murray’s base in New Orleans is one of eight Beneteau dealerships to integrate SailTime into their product line since 2015, joining New York, Boston, San Diego, Marina Del Ray, Houston, St. Petersburg and Australia. Last year, SailTime and Beneteau announced a partnership to offer Beneteau brand sailboats in conjunction with other brands at SailTime’s North American base locations. As part of the agreement, new Beneteau yachts will be available for SailTime’s fractional membership program for use within the fleet of SailTime bases throughout North America.
“Having Beneteau dealers able to offer the SailTime Fractional Membership Program is an opportunity for both companies,” SailTime President Todd Hess said. “Not only can the dealers now offer a pre-purchase option to sail a Beneteau before they purchase one, they can also sell additional boats into fleet for the SailTime Owner Program. This is a win-win team effort for SailTime and Beneteau in providing both organizations and respective affiliates another path for growth.”
The SailTime membership program began as a way to get more sailors out on the water engaging in an ownership like experience. With a fee that starts at only a few hundred dollars a month, members can conveniently schedule blocks of time online to enjoy a new model sail or powerboat without the commitment of ownership. When finished, they turn the keys over to the SailTime team to clean up and maintain the boat.
Owners can join the SailTime fleet to share their boat and make money and enjoy the convenience of SailTime of taking care of it. A certified professional handles the vessel's upkeep and maintenance. For every boat in the fleet, there are six to eight members sharing one vessel. Many members are relatively new to activity of sailing and have chosen SailTime as the ideal way to learn and acquire experience.