Peer-To-Peer Yacht Hires: A Flourishing Industry
The behaviour of the nautical community is changing as we welcome a younger generation, who favours rentals over owning their own boats. This has led to an increased importance of peer-to-peer boat hire platforms, with an emphasis on flexibility for the users. Over the past few years, bookings in the boat rental marketplace have increased exponentially. This trend is expected to continue over the next ten years, as a new generation of tech-savvy Gen Z and Millennials start to dominate the market, and the older generations become more connected.
Through new technology, boating has become more accessible to people of all levels, from beginners who are just starting to explore a new hobby, to experienced sailors who can’t afford to buy and maintain their own boat. It has never been easier to try boating, as you no longer need the wealth of knowledge that you once did before. The nautical community is becoming more inclusive fast, giving everyone the opportunity to improve their mental wellbeing and disconnect by spending time in nature. It is even becoming easier to get involved for those who don’t have a lot of money, the range of boat types and models available on most platforms ensures that there will be an affordable option for everyone.
In terms of boat size, most people favoured boats ranging from 21 to 35 feet (from around 6,5 to 10,7 meters) in 2019 and it is expected that this will continue to be the case moving forwards. North America dominates the boat hire marketplace for a number of reasons. Aside from being home to a number of high end boat manufacturers, the popularity of watersports continues to grow across the continent, and its temperate climate makes for decent conditions year round in some areas. The range of spectacular natural landscapes also adds to the allure, with suitable freshwater and saltwater areas available for nautical explorers.
A Circular Product: Eco Friendly
It is thought that most of the boats you see sitting in the marina only get used for about ten days each year. This makes them a severely underused resource that is draining on the owner’s finances. Boat rental platforms work to change this by improving the utilisation of these boats and creating a circular economy.
Click&Boat: The Evolution of Peer-To-Peer Rental Platforms
Since 2013, when the popularity of peer-to-peer boat rentals began to really flourish, the boat hire industry has undergone a complete evolution. All of sudden, multiple boat hire companies were competing for a share of the market with very similar, if not identical, business models. Some of the top companies include Boatsetter, GETMYBOAT Inc., Brunswick Group, BRP, Beneteau Group, Blue Bay Marine, Blue Boat Yacht Entertainment Company, Boatjump, S.L., Click&Boat, GLOBE SAILOR, Incrediblue, and Le Boat.
Finally, as a result of swift growth, financial investments and some well-calculated acquisition of German agency Scansail, French agency Océans Évasion, and top competitor Nautal, Click&Boat managed to secure its position in the boat hire marketplace. After almost a decade, Click&Boat has been dubbed the ‘caterpillar-to-butterfly’ of boat hire companies and has earned its position as the top rental company in Europe. The platform, which connects boat owners with potential rentals, allows you to book a private yacht for any length of time, from half a day, to a few weeks.
Over the past nine years, the company has continued to refine their platform, expanding their audience and adapting to the needs of renters around the world to help them find their dream boats. Last year, the platform boasted a spectacular 40,000 listed boats around the globe, as well as over 1 million registered members. The Click&Boat community brings together people from all nautical backgrounds, from novices to professionals.
Click&Boat founders, Edouard Gorioux and Jérémy Bismuth, are boating enthusiasts who recognised the potential of boat rentals from their own sailing holiday experiences. Jeremy favours motorboats, while Edouard is more knowledgeable about sailing. In 2013, Click&Boat was born, with a floating houseboat headquarters on the Seine. What could be more fitting?
Yacht Rentals That Combine The Power Of Humans And Technology
Click&Boat prioritises an optimal user experience by combining the convenience of modern technology, combined with the personal touch of customised advice for all who want it. Their sales team, based in the Marseille office, consists of 100 employees who aim to provide renters with an easy booking process from start to finish. While straightforward bookings can be handled completely via the technology without need for human intervention, more sophisticated bookings can be aided immensely with a little human assistance. Clients can be aided in whatever way necessary throughout the entire process.
”When you are away for a few days, you have high expectations. For example, you might get around an island in only a few days- and you don’t want any hiccups. We provide clients with our expertise to give them confidence and support.” says Guillaume Belot, Chief Marketing Officer for Click&Boat.
A Reactive Yacht Charter Platform For Busy People
Half the allure of being able to book rentals online is that it saves users a lot of time. The Click&Boat developers have worked hard to ensure that there are swift response times to booking requests, and that potential renters are given a direct line of communication with the boat owners through an integrated chat function. Users can scan through the list of available boats on the website and check which boats have the amenities they are looking for. The app also has a function which allows renters to check in and check out for added convenience.
Types of Owners and Hires Available
The platform is available for use by both private and professional boat owners, creating an extra source of income to relieve some financial pressure. The Click&Boat prospection team aims to increase the size and quality of their fleet, so that they can provide potential clients with any experience they could possibly dream of. They also update the booking system live, in order to ensure that no one is disappointed by their chosen charter.
A Strategic Pathway
The Click&Boat team analyse the search data of their users, so that they can effectively decide which destinations are priorities. For example, if there are ten times the requests for catamarans than motorboats in Greece, the team will concentrate on acquiring more catamarans to increase their availability and answer to the demand of their audience.
A Floating Staycation: Discover Hidden Worlds
With the Click&Boat platform, people are able to seek out and book boat hires that offer them something unique. Although motorboats between 4 and 10 metres are the most popular, the platform offers a wide range of different vessels, some of which are truly one of a kind, including a ‘barbecue boat’, which is perfectly adapted for hosting barbecues.
“Despite changes in the boat rental landscape, many transactions still take place in the offline market,” says Guillaume. “Boaters still go directly to call the charter company and negotiate with the phone.”
Hire A Yacht And Set Sail With a Skipper
Click&Boat provides a number of different boat hires, some of which are available with a skipper. According to Guillaume, there are two main groups of people who use the app - those who want to develop their sailing skills, and those who just want to sit back and enjoy the cruise. While skippers should not be seen as sailing teachers, they are usually more than willing to divulge their knowledge and help new sailors to find their sea legs. For those who are just being introduced to the boating world, sailing with a skipper is an excellent opportunity to learn more about boating and build up your confidence behind the rudder.
The Future of Boat Hires
“Our focus will very much continue to be on finding more ways to provide a superior user experience.” says Guillaume. YachtWorld anticipates the increase in the amount of high-tech features available to users on boats, as well as a significant reduction of our carbon footprint from trending boats as the world becomes more preoccupied with the conservation of the environment. Hybrid and electric boats will become the favoured types of boat, with a fall in popularity for gas-run motorboats.
Fancy dipping in your toe? Boat rentals with a wide range of motorboats and sailboats, anywhere in the world in a few clicks.
Yacht Charters: Q&A
How much does it cost to hire a yacht for a day?
Pricing depends on a number of different factors, including where you intend to charter a boat, availability, the boat model, how many people will be traveling and whether you wish to sail with a skipper or not.
Without a skipper, prices start at £75 dollars for motorboats. Catamaran hire costs start at £150 and range up to £750, and sailing boat hire prices typically start at £90, ranging all the way up to £750.
What does the term bareboat mean?
A boat or yacht that can be hired without a crew.
What do I need to charter a yacht?
In the US, provided you are over the age of eighteen, anyone can hire a boat. Operating this boat is another matter entirely. For other markets, you may need a licence depending on the boat type and engine power.
Are fuel costs considered when assessing the price of private yacht rentals?
Fuel and harbour fees are never included in the hire price displayed on the website.
