The payments are always (or nearly always) through the owner for owners time. The base support should be the same (My experience with TMM and feedback through my guests), and rarely will anyone at base (with possible exception of management) know that you booked directly with owner.

I encourage all to check out the owner's reputation... I am in a medium size town offer to have me vetted through CPA, Attorney, Medical Staff office, my banker... I realize that these references are no guarantees, but certainly a good start. Should also be able to verify that the owner is indeed the owner by contacting the charter operation directly: "I am discussing chartering Sea Tiger directly from Deepcut and just want to verify he is indeed the owner".

Due diligence.