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Find a Second Home Afloat—for Less
Barges or an ocean condo offer less cost, commitment than owning a yacht
By Nick McMaster
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Posted Jul 31, 09 3:40 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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A boat makes a great getaway home, but mooring and maintenance can turn ownership into an expensive hassle. A few alternatives have cropped up that offer the pleasures of sea living without requiring the vacationer to buy in hook, line, and sinker, USA Today reports:
- The World. The first condo cruise ship travels around the globe with the residents of its 165 apartments. All rooms have been sold, but units are available on the secondary market, or for rent.
- European barges. Barges, a cushy way to drift down the canal systems of France and other European nations, are relatively low-cost and offer a much more stable ride than conventional boats.
- Fractional yacht ownership. Rather than the whole thing, why not buy a share, and pay only for the time you actually use the boat? Yacht makers will even help put buyers together.