Hi Shaun,
I do hope syndicate boats are the way to go too. Today is the completion date for my purchase of a share in Evening Shaow. I take her out for yhe 1st time on 17th March. Evening shadow's chairman is Also a member of the this forum. As far as your questions go ill have a stab at answering as a novice;
1. You don't have to go through BCBM but they can act as an agent. In hindsight I would have found the share holder and contacted them directly. I found BCBM a bit difficult.
2. Yearly maintenance cost is set at the AGM. As I understnd it you may be required to weigh out for a large unexpected cost if one arises. Check the syndicate fund reserves and specific rules.
3. Cleaning - this depends on the boat. On ES the owners are required to clean outside to the rubbing strake and inside after their holiday. There is an option to have this done by boat yard and a valet and pay cash at end of holiday.
4. Fuel - You must return the boat to the yard with a full fuel tank and having been pumped out after your holiday. I believe this is standard practice. For the gas, on ES owner buys a bottle and claims cost back from syndicate.
5. As for bedding. ES has duvets and pillows. Owners bring their own linen.
6. Same responsibilities as private boat ownership. Or anyone helming a boat. However there maybe added responsibility as the boat is not just your pride and joy it's 11 other families' too!
Hope this helps, FYI there are several shares for sale and at least 3 syndicate boats based at Richardsons Horning.
Feel free to PM me for anything else. I'll post a link to my 1st syndicate post. There was some great info there. I expect the others will soon have plenty of good info soon too.
Andy