BY SAILTIME
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – SailTime Group LLC, the world’s largest boat membership company, announced Stanton Murray as the new owner of the SailTime Tampa Bay franchise.
Murray has more than 30 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. 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 had a strong presence in the Tampa Bay boating market for 12 years, and I’m looking forward to leading this local franchise,” said Murray. “I believe my extensive background with charter and sailing schools will be a great resource to people in the Tampa-St. Pete area who have an interest in sailing and would like to become a part of the SailTime membership program”.
Murray’s franchise in Tampa Bay becomes the fourth Beneteau dealership to integrate SailTime into their product line within the last year, joining Marina Del Ray, Houston and Australia. Earlier this 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,” said SailTime President Todd Hess. “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.”
SailTime has always been an innovator in the boating community, using an online calendar system for shared usage of vessels. The SailTime membership program began as a way to get more sailors out on the water and to offer an alternative to boat ownership. 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 chose SailTime as the ideal way to learn and acquire experience.