Our priority right now is to go to Savannah. We partnered with Savannah Bend Marina to offer climate controlled waiting areas, clean bathrooms, parking, and seamless access to the city, the airport, and I-16. On Daufuskie Island we will utilize the public dock but are also in negotiations for better options. Please let us know if you want to be part of a more sustainable solution. The boats won’t be docked at the public dock or take space away for people who need to launch their own boats.
40 to 45 minutes from the South End. 50 to 55 minutes from the North End of the island.
Scheduled boats to Savannah will be the main focus to get us started. With adequate demand by Club Members we can schedule boats to HHI or Bluffton. Club Charters offered at all membership levels will offer both locations from day one.
We see the added value for the Club in designing schedules that work for us, utmost flexibility, speed, and added safety. The marine transportation system we envision can run 24/7 and to all areas that members desire to go to, including Savannah. It is not for everyone and is no competition to private ferries or charters. And definitely not the public ferry that needs to rely on subsidies to run at that price point. There is a place for all those very different ways to get from and to the island, the Club is an additional offer. While the Club will aim to appeal to many, not all Islanders will find this a solution one that meets their needs.
As soon as the we have the minimum amount of members we will put an order in for the main club boat, custom built for the Club. It’ll be fast and seats up to 20 people, have an onboard toilet, and will be climate controlled. Depending on demand and funding we can increase size and level of comfort. The boat will be able to cruise at 30mph and operate in up to 40kts of wind. To get things started till the boat has been built we will utilize an available smaller shuttle boat. It’ll be enclosed but can only run 6 people at a time, as per USCG regulations. Should we, until the other bigger boat has been built, have more that 6 reservations we will run twice. Should the demand be very strong right form the beginning we have the option to charter a boat for the time it takes to build the main boat.
15.
$450,000 ideally.
Whenever we have 15 firmly committed memberships, including the financial power to order the main boat, plus three months to set things up.
We strongly believe that Daufuskie Island deserves a marine transportation system that is run and managed by islanders, for islanders. And serves islanders first. A non-profit seems the best vehicle to achieve that. Additionally, it opens up the possibility to raise funds within the community to open up additional transportation options beyond the club members.
No, not really. It’s a fractional ownership of the boats that we need to operate to meet all demand islanders might have. Think of it like buying a boat with other people and share the costs to run it.
Absolutely. If well behaved. We will work on a system that identifies members with allergies to not run into problems with that policy but we love your pets as much as you do. Since we know everybody that uses the boats we also know what members prefer.
All things you'll need to live on Daufuskie Island will be transported, included in your membership. The crew will assist with loading and unloading the boat. Special cargo like building materials or your grandma's piano may need special handling and perhaps a barge. Concrete policies will be set by USCG Regulations and the members of the club.
To keep the cost down. A bank loan will increase the risk and real cost since the loan will be over 5% interest. Increasing the risk also means we have to pad the budget to account for that fact.
We will partner with a payment provider whom you can make an agreement with to pay in twelve installments. We need to mitigate the club’s risk to not drive the prices up. The investment in the boat can be paid as they are being drawn by the builder.
The scheduling software will allow you to see all chartered boats (if not opted out by the person chartering it) and can be booked by you for the price shown. Conversely to airline bookings the price will go down with every additional reservation. For example, a $300 charter would be cut in half with an additional reservation, or to $100 with two additional reservations. And so on. Additionally, we will provide a social tool where every member can talk to other members and arrange schedules, plan outings, coordinate their travel needs to keep cost as low as possible for everybody.
We secured parking in Savannah and will offer options at other locations. We can either include parking, or not. Depending on the members it may make more sense to not include parking in the membership fee, since some members may not want or need parking. Ultimately the members of the Club will decide.
BENEFITS
UNLIMITED SCHEDULED TRIPS
Free for member and one spouse/partner/minor.
HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS
~$20* round trip for everyone living in the same household on Daufuskie Island.
FRIENDS & FAMILY
~$40* round trip for friends and family, originating in Savannah.
CAPTAINED CHARTERS
Reduced rate starting at $120/hour.
*Estimates to be confirmed by the Club Members, based on total membership numbers.
**Monthly billing - if chosen - will be through a third party vendor (processing fees may apply).
$60,000 & up
One-Time Boat Investment
partially refundable
transferable
dividend paying
cost share
~$9,000*
billed yearly / paid monthly**
limited amount of charters included
Admiral
$30,000
One-Time Boat Investment
partially refundable
transferable
cost share
~$12,000*
billed yearly / paid monthly**
limited amount of charters included
First Mate
$5,000
One-Time Boat Investment
non-refundable
cost share
~$12,000*
billed yearly
Seafarer
(future offer)
MEMBERSHIP
FUTURE PLANS
Negotiating access to Hilton Head Island and Bluffton based on demand.
Adding small car share fleet in Savannah.
PRIMARY FOCUS
Robust schedule to Savannah, accessing the Hostess City, its airport, I-16, shopping, and restaurants.
SERVICES
Safety & Reliability
24/7 operation with radar equipped vessels and experienced crew.
Convenience
Fast, scheduled, and unscheduled access to Savannah and beyond.
Comfort
Climate-controlled boats with secure parking and waiting areas.
Flexibility
Semi-flexible schedules with tech-driven on-demand options.
Community-Driven
Managed by islanders, for islanders.
MEDICAL EVAC
Non-emergency medical transport for members or their pets.
WHY JOIN US?
To provide high-quality private high-speed boat service for Daufuskie Islanders, by Daufuskie Islanders. Enjoy flexible schedules, both by reservation and on-demand, for seamless access to the mainland.
