How Big Is Yours?

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

I have done the canalboats three times so far, exchanging in both through RCI and DAE, and I agree it is a lot of fun. I plan to do it again. But it is a different experience from the typical timeshare, and one many apparently do not choose. For Americans, I would never recommend it for the first or second or even third trip to the UK, but if someone is physically fit and enjoys boats, like I personally do, then I would certainly suggest considering it for the fifth or sixth trip. Because so many timesharers apparently do not want canalboats, RCI has a search category of ''UK - No Canal Boats'' or it may be ''England - No Canal Boats''. Canalboats are almost always the last thing left on the shelf.

Isn't it with the Canal Boats that there are huge exrta fees? If I remember correctly wasn't there was a fuel charge, docking charge, charge for instruction on how to operate etc? I can see how that could trun off exchangers, but then on the other hand it would be a unique experience for the physically fit and even a challenge for those with a Coast Guard rating.

Joy

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Isn't it with the Canal Boats that there are huge exrta fees? If I remember correctly wasn't there was a fuel charge, docking charge, charge for instruction on how to operate etc? I can see how that could trun off exchangers, but then on the other hand it would be a unique experience for the physically fit and even a challenge for those with a Coast Guard rating.

Joy

That is true of the domestic houseboat exchanges. It kept us from doing one in FL. That was in the good ole days when extra fees would be unusual.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

As the big number has returned to it's pre-5/30/09 level, has anyone noticed an increase in the areas where they search?

Or where the numbers are coming from? Has significant amount of non-timeshare stuff been added?

As for the area I search, the answer is No, the numbers have not returned to where they once were. Previous levels were over 600 and today it is in 300s.

[calgal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close calgal]

Hawaii, which was in the 800s for most of the recent past, is now around 1300. This was a dramatic increase over a short period of time.

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

Hawaii, which was in the 800s for most of the recent past, is now around 1300. This was a dramatic increase over a short period of time.

And not to rain on the parade, airfare from at least the East Coast has gotten insanely expensive. That could be a factor in the deposit increase. I have seen an increase in Italy and other parts of Europe, but with airfare to the UK hovering around $1100 I can see why there's an increase. I was going to Ireland this year, but with air costs I cannot rationalize the trip.

Joy

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Hawaii, which was in the 800s for most of the recent past, is now around 1300. This was a dramatic increase over a short period of time.

I have posted previously that when several of the HA resorts became Wyndham, availability at those resorts increased significantly. Availability at other resorts did not/has not, that I can see.

Right now the 9 Wyndham resorts have 539 exchanges available, for an average of 60 each. The 40 other resorts have a total of 810, for an average of 20 each.

That would be an example of inventory that is likely not owner deposits that used to not be there. It's good that they are there now, but it distorts the numbers, hides the fact that owner deposits are down, if that is the case.

So, thanks, that is one place the bigger number is coming from.

For many years, starting in 1999, HA for January through March was a fairly regular search for me.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

And not to rain on the parade, airfare from at least the East Coast has gotten insanely expensive. That could be a factor in the deposit increase. I have seen an increase in Italy and other parts of Europe, but with airfare to the UK hovering around $1100 I can see why there's an increase. I was going to Ireland this year, but with air costs I cannot rationalize the trip.

Joy

With the high price of gasoline, driving is out, too.

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

For Europe, I am seeing an increase in 1) trailer park ''resorts'' in places like France and Italy, 2) private cottages almost all in Nov and Dec. in the UK and some in France, 3) and Landal properties, which are non-timeshare country retreats, generally a step down from most timeshare resorts, but a company now owned by Wyndham.

For the Caribbean, I am seeing an increase in non-timeshare AI properties.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

I have posted previously that when several of the HA resorts became Wyndham, availability at those resorts increased significantly. Availability at other resorts did not/has not, that I can see.

Right now the 9 Wyndham resorts have 539 exchanges available, for an average of 60 each. The 40 other resorts have a total of 810, for an average of 20 each.

That would be an example of inventory that is likely not owner deposits that used to not be there. It's good that they are there now, but it distorts the numbers, hides the fact that owner deposits are down, if that is the case.

So, thanks, that is one place the bigger number is coming from.

For many years, starting in 1999, HA for January through March was a fairly regular search for me.

When you search using "Wyndham", a lot of them have big numbers. That will be a project for another time.