After stepping away from his career in IT, Bart began to consider how he wanted to spend the next phase of his life. He wanted to identify a market that was missing something significant and find a solution for that missing piece. Combining his love for sailing with his business acumen, the concept of fractional sailing emerged as a natural fit. For the Netherlands, the concept of yacht sharing is new and not well understood. For Bart this “yacht sharing vacuum” is a challenge he welcomes!

“One of the most exciting aspects of running SailTime in the Netherlands,” said Bart, “is introducing the concept of boat sharing to a community largely unfamiliar with it. For many Dutch people, the idea of sharing a boat rather than owning one or chartering it is new, which presents a fantastic marketing challenge.” In his second season now, he already notices that the majority of sailors have heard of this new way of sailing. People acknowledge the incredible value of this flexible and affordable boating option.

Bart’s passion for sailing goes back to his childhood. He started sailing at just three years old when his father took him out on a small open boat. Before long, his father set Bart and his brother out on the water on their own to learn through hands-on experience, and that spark has stayed with him ever since. Sailing is more than just a hobby for Bart—it’s a lifelong passion, and he is thrilled to now share it with others.