Rob Lawnsby Joins SailTime® as Base Owner of SailTime® Rhode Island
Bristol, RI– The SailTime® Group LLC announced today the opening of a new SailTime® base in Bristol, Rhode Island, joining more than 50 locations in the U.S., Europe, Caribbean, and Australia that offer boating enthusiasts access to affordable sailboats at a fraction of the cost of ownership.
Located on the Narragansett Bay, with 15 miles of shoreline and a working waterfront, Bristol has often been named the most patriotic town in America, boasting the oldest 4th of July celebration in the country. SailTime® Rhode Island offers sailing enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy use of a luxury sailboat without the obligation or cost of ownership. SailTime® certification programs provide the training and hands-on education needed for individuals to master sailing at a fraction of the cost.
Pioneered in 2001, and similar to the concept of airplane sharing, the SailTime® program enables shared use of a sailboat owned by one individual with seven or more other non-equity members. Each member pays a membership fee to the SailTime® base for access to the boats and is guaranteed a number of sail times every month as well as “as-available” use on a 24-hour notice based on membership type. The membership fees include all dockage, insurance, and maintenance of the boat. Owners receive a guaranteed payment that helps defray the cost of operating expenses for the boat.
“We are delighted to welcome Rob to our growing franchise,” noted George Bonelli, Founder and CEO of SailTime®. “As an experienced and avid sailor, and founder of Hunter’s Rhode Island sales office, he will help us bring new members into the program who, like him, enjoy the thrills of being on the water, without the hassle and cost of ownership.”
New base owner Rob Lawnsby is a veteran sailor who started sailing in his 20s, living on board his 24’ cutter with his wife and two kids. He has sailed extensively along the eastern seaboard and has made half a dozen round trips down the Intracoastal and back, as well as spending considerable time sailing in the Chesapeake, the Carolinas, and the Bahamas. He also built boats in Florida, working his way up to Production Manager for Sovereign Yachts in charge of all phases of construction. He founded the Rhode Island Hunter dealership five years ago and continues to run that franchise as well. Hunter is the exclusive sailboat vendor for SailTime®’s U.S. sailing fleet.
“After sailing up and down the East Coast from Bahamas to Maine several times, my wife and I concluded we like New England best, and that Narragansett Bay was its crown jewel,” noted Lawnsby about the Rhode Island coastal village of Bristol. “Lots of cozy anchorages, plenty of delightful villages steeped in history, little current, and 150 square miles of sailing delight. The wind builds every afternoon up to about 15 knots, and then dies down in the evening for placid evening. We look forward to sharing our love of these waters with both novice and experienced boaters looking for an affordable, hassle-free way to fuel their love of sailing.”
“SailTime® fractional membership is the perfect solution for people who have a passion for sailing but can’t afford the cost of owning, insuring and maintaining their own boat,” adds Lawnsby. “SailTime®’s proprietary online scheduling system makes it easy for members to plan their schedule online and gets them on the water with less planning and more time for sailing.”
About SailTime®
SailTime® is the worldwide leader in fractional sailing and power boating membership, a program that provides economical alternatives to boat ownership. SailTime also offers attractive boat ownership options. Pioneered by SailTime®, fractional memberships put novice and experienced boaters on the water for a fraction of the cost of ownership, maintenance, and upkeep. SailTime® currently operates a fleet of over 160 boats located at more than 50 locations in North America, the Caribbean and Europe, allowing SailTime® members daily access to boats in major waterways and coastal regions in the U.S. and abroad for a low monthly fee. Visit www.sailtime.com for more information. To inquire about membership in SailTime® Rhode Island, please contact Rob Lawnsby at 401-649-1754 or [email protected].
