With Kramer Yachting’s turnkey system, purchasing a Lagoon catamaran becomes part of a complete ownership model. Along with the boat itself, the owner receives structured support for leasing, registration, charter management, maintenance, and projected charter income.
We speak with Rok Kramer about what this means in practice, how this approach makes ownership easier, and why more buyers are connecting private cruising with professional charter management
Kramer Yachting is now closely associated with Lagoon catamarans and a purchasing model that simplifies the entire process for the owner. How would you describe the role of your company: as a dealer, a consultant, or a partner who supports the client through all stages of ownership?
Our role is very important, because with us, the owner does not receive just a boat, but a complete support system. Our turnkey system is already well known, and that is exactly what makes the difference. In one place, the buyer gets a company that sells the boat, maintains it, arranges the berth, registration, and charter, but also guarantees income and covers costs.
For the buyer, this brings a great deal of security, because they enter the process with more peace of mind. They have a clear structure, they know who takes care of the boat, and they do not have to look for a service provider, a charter company, or people to handle the operations. We often see that a dealer simply sells the boat, while the owner later has to find their own way through charter, maintenance, and all the other obligations. With us, all of that is connected.
Of course, there is also the option of purchasing outside the turnkey system, but even then, the client can receive in advance all the services they need: berth, maintenance, registration, and complete support related to the use of the boat. This means the boat can be used privately, while our team takes care of a large part of the organization.
That is why I would say that we are a dealer, a consultant, and a long-term partner to the buyer. We follow the client through all stages of ownership, and the greatest advantage of our company is that we combine sales, charter, maintenance, and guaranteed income into one system.
When you speak about the turnkey system, what does it specifically mean for the buyer of a Lagoon catamaran, from the first conversation and model selection to financing, registration, outfitting, charter, and maintenance?
For the buyer, the process begins with choosing the model. Once they know which Lagoon catamaran they want, we move on to selecting the equipment and defining all the details. If the buyer is already familiar with catamarans and has a clear idea of what they want, the process is even easier. From that moment on, Kramer Yachting takes over the management of the entire procedure.
When we say “turnkey,” we mean a system in which our company takes over everything needed to make the boat purchase worry-free. From the moment the boat is ordered, we begin preparing the documentation and work on securing leasing approval. Once leasing is approved, the slogan “worry-free boat purchase” takes on its real meaning. After that, we organize the registration, outfitting of the boat, inclusion in the charter program, and required maintenance.
For the buyer, the first conversation is the most important, because that is when they need to understand exactly what they are getting with us. Later, there is no major burden related to registration, service, maintenance, or operational management of the boat. Their main obligation is to choose the weeks when they want to use the catamaran privately, while an amount intended to cover the leasing installments is automatically paid into their account every month, without any additional concern on their part.
That is why the slogan “worry-free boat purchase” has a very concrete meaning for us. The buyer receives a boat, but also a system that makes ownership simpler, better organized, and more secure. In addition, the buyer has guaranteed income that covers the costs and financing of the vessel, so the purchase in this system becomes a profitable investment. I often point out that buying a catamaran through our business model is an excellent alternative to buying an apartment or a vacation rental property, because the investment pays off much faster — in only 7 to 8 years — with a guaranteed annual return of at least 12% on the invested funds. At the same time, the owners enjoy unforgettable holidays at sea on their own catamaran, with family and friends, without additional costs.
Lagoon is one of the most recognizable brands in the world of catamarans. What do buyers from our region most often look for in these models: family comfort, stability, space, charter potential, or a clear combination of private and business use?
With us, clients have most often looked for a combination of private and business use. This means that the boat should match their personal preferences, but also be suitable for charter. In essence, this is not unusual, because many of these buyers have previously chartered boats and already know very well what they like, what matters to them, and what kind of use they want.
Of course, there is also demand for additional equipment among those who want a higher level of comfort. More extensive and higher-quality equipment increases the charter price, but it also makes the boat easier to charter and helps it achieve better results. It is important to emphasize that in our fleet we have well-equipped catamarans, mostly with mid- to high-level equipment.
I often say that we are like Sixt among boats: in charter, we want to offer attractive, high-quality, and well-equipped models that are interesting to guests and work well for owners. Just as Sixt is known in the car rental industry for good, well-equipped rental cars, we want our catamarans to be recognized as boats that offer a higher level of equipment and experience. Because of that, both the guests who use them in charter and the owners who have a boat in the program are satisfied.
In conclusion, I would point out that when choosing a model, the main focus is on its charter potential. Equipment is only one part of the decision; the catamaran’s own potential, size, layout, and the possibilities it offers for both private use and charter are equally important.
Many owners today see a catamaran both as a boat for private enjoyment and as an investment through charter. How does Kramer Yachting help clients realistically assess the costs, income, and obligations that such a model brings before purchase?
Here, the answer is actually very simple. In the turnkey system, the client knows exactly what they are getting before the purchase, because we take over the entire segment related to costs and operational obligations. For the buyer, it is especially important to be informed in advance about the income, because we work with a model of minimum guaranteed income. For example, with a 30% down payment, the minimum guaranteed income is set in a way that covers all leasing installments on an annual basis.
Every month, the buyer receives a payment in the amount of the monthly installment, so they can make the leasing payment regularly, while we cover the other costs. This is exactly where the turnkey system gets its real meaning, because the owner knows what their obligations are, but also what Kramer Yachting takes over on their behalf.
If the buyer wants a standard charter model, which is not as common with us but which we also offer, they receive a complete analysis of the charter potential before the purchase. It clearly shows what income and expenses they can expect, including the costs of the marina, insurance, maintenance, and all other costs related to the boat.
Buyers who are in the turnkey system also receive a final annual settlement at the end of each year. If the income after expenses is higher than the amount we paid out during the year through monthly payments, the client receives that difference as an additional payment into their account. This often happens when the owner does not use the catamaran during their own allocated periods.
Under the turnkey system, the owner has the right to two weeks of use during the season and two weeks in the off-season, or even up to six weeks in the off-season if they did not use their periods during the peak season. There are also last-minute weeks. If the owner does not use the boat during those periods either, the catamaran is chartered, and the client earns additional income.
The biggest challenge often begins only after the purchase: service, maintenance, bookings, guests, the season, and paperwork. What is essential for you so that the owner feels their catamaran is in safe hands and professionally managed throughout the season?
I agree, the biggest challenge begins only after the purchase — if the boat was not bought from Kramer (laughs). If the buyer purchases it from us, there are actually no major challenges, except perhaps if the boat is not included in the turnkey system.
So, we now know what our turnkey model includes, and it is clear that in that case there are no challenges for the owner, because we — Kramer Yachting — take over all costs and obligations. Let us now also explain how Kramer Yachting helps a buyer who purchases a catamaran exclusively for private use, meaning they do not plan to offer it for charter. It is important to say that even then, we can agree to take over a large part of the obligations. The cost remains with the owner, but we do everything else and, as I like to say, they can sleep peacefully. That is why we always emphasize that this is, above all, a worry-free catamaran purchase. The owner knows that someone is taking care of service, maintenance, bookings, guests, the season, and paperwork. That is the most important thing, whether they use the boat privately or place it in charter.
For us as a company, boat maintenance is our number one priority. A well-maintained boat means two things: a satisfied owner and a satisfied guest who has chartered the boat. A satisfied guest returns, and at the end of the season, the owner has a boat that has been professionally managed, well maintained, and is more valuable in the long term.
Such a boat is also easier to sell later, often at a better price, because its value is preserved through regular maintenance, investment, and professional management. For us, maintenance goes beyond a technical obligation and becomes the foundation of the entire system.
How do you see the future of Lagoon catamarans on the Adriatic and in the region? Is the number of buyers growing who want a fully organized ownership model, in which they use the boat privately and entrust it to professional charter management for the rest of the time?
I see the future of Lagoon catamarans on the Adriatic and in the region very positively. Lagoon is one of the best-known and leading catamaran brands in the world. It is not only a well-known name, but a brand that is at the very top in terms of global sales, with a tradition of more than 40 years. They know very well what they are doing, especially when it comes to offering models in different categories. In my opinion, the value for money is exceptional.
Because of this, the number of buyers who want to use Lagoon catamarans privately, but also include them in charter, is growing. That is why the system we offer is very important, and that is why trust in it is growing. Our strongest proof is buyers who have more than one boat with us. Our record holder has as many as six catamarans at our base, and for us that is the strongest indication that the turnkey system really works well.
For those who think this is something new or that we have just invented it, I have to say that this is not the case. Perhaps today there is more talk about this model and it is promoted more, but we have been doing it for many years. Clients who have bought boats from us have been using this system for a long time, which is why some of them already have two, three, or four catamarans at our base.
Another strong confirmation for us is when an existing buyer chooses the “trade-in” principle, meaning when they sell the boat they already have with us and buy a new one. This is one of the best references, because it shows that the client trusts the system and wants to remain in it.
Another major reference for us is word of mouth. Our loyal clients often recommend this type of investment to friends and acquaintances, and for us this is perhaps the best proof that an organized ownership model has a future on the Adriatic.
