What You Need To Know Before You Rent A Boat Airbnb
Whats the most unusual accommodation youve ever stayed in? For some, hostels are weird enough themselves but for me, its usually the quirky AirBnBs that make my list and after my stay in Cartagena last autumn, I have to say that living on a boat now tops my list!
Choosing a boat for your accommodations can be a lot of fun, but it certainly comes along with its unique set of consideration. If youve never done so before, you probably also have no idea what it will really entail. Staying the night on a boat was not exactly what I had expected so here are some serious pros, cons, and points of intrigue Id like to lay out for you if youre considering the same arrangements:
Keep The Price Tag Within An Affordable Range
Some customers are driven away by sky-high prices on Airbnb. Therefore, if you want to rent out your houseboat on Airbnb, you need to make sure that you set the price tag within an affordable range.
Since you are not a hotel, you cannot price your houseboat like one. You need to make sure that your prices are not only affordable but reasonable for a wide variety of customers, such as:
- Millennials
- Families
- Teenagers
These are just people who want to experience something new. These customers cannot pay hundreds of bucks for the night, and you need to make sure that your prices resonate highly with the financial capacity of your potential audiences.
The two major reasons why customers turn to Airbnb are:
- To experience something unique, new, and extraordinary.
- To save money by not staying in expensive redundant hotels.
If you are not offering something new to your customers or you are offering something extremely expensive, they would rather stay in a hotel than your personal residential property. T
You need to entice your customers and maximize your client outreach by setting a low price that offers you enough profit to keep it going steady and doesnt put a strain on your clientele.
If you put a high price tag on your houseboat, you will end up turning away more than 50 percent of your clients. This is why professionals recommend that you should always put a price tag that is one-third of expensive hotels.
Set Your Schedule Realistically
According to Boats.com, most P2P boat rentals are last minute bookings. Since you will be expected to meet the customers to show them the boat and provide any tips, you will want to make sure that you can do it. Most private owners dont have the time to do hourly rentals. Instead, most do half-days, full-days, or weekend-long rentals. Be ready for the last minute requests.
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Drawbacks Of Home Sharing Are Similar To Dock Sharingconcerns
Some of the drawbacks are having people in your home or on your property are just that people underfoot thats the same.
Also the same drawback in both cases is the need to tether yourself to computer or phone to communicate, handle bookings, answer questions, and even solve problems. A lot goes into establishing an Airbnb property not just furnishing the place and figuring out how to lock the doors. Whether home or pier thats going to be the same.
Another aspect is that just like neighbors of Airbnb hosts, waterfront neighbors could possibly be rather unhappy to have a boat blocking their expensive view. Some might see the addition of a boat or two at picturesque. But, Ive talked to waterfront homeowners in South Florida who were very dismayed at having their view blocked.
In either instance, the additional traffic and potential noise in their neighborhood concerns homeowners. Parking and traffic concerns also figure more cars and traffic in residential areas do not please permanent residents.
There Is Now An Airbnb For Boats So You Can Holiday Like The A
Borrow a Boat aims to make yachting more egalitarian
The idea of chartering a boat is, for many, seen as an exclusive pastime of the glamorous and wealthy, a pursuit that largely eludes the majority. A new travel company entitled Borrow a Boat seeks to bring yachting to the masses, where affordability and accessibility are key.
The concept works along similar lines to Airbnb in terms of renting boats from existing owners . Either using its online platform or its app, you choose your destination based upon 60 countries, pick a type of boat be it a motor yacht, catamaran or sailing boat then choose your dates.
Theres also the option to rent for a day, short stays or long trips and knowledgeable skippers can be added to any booking, so you dont even need to be able to sail. Ultimately, the route is your choice the skipper is just there to advise if you need.
It’s about making boating a viable past time and activity for people today without the burden of having to own a boat, said Borrow a Boat CEO Matt Ovenden. Were still pushing to get the word out as there are so many people who dont realise that boating is open and available to them.
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We Dont Go Anywhere Without:
- Stream2Sea Reef Safe SPF 20 or 30 mineral, regular or tinted sunscreen, mask defog, shampoo, conditioner, rash guards and more reef-safe supplies. Use my code DeepWH for 10% off. The packages are biodegradeable not just recycled and recyclable.
- Crisis Medicine Tactical Casualty Care Course knowledge so we can help ourselves. With code DeepWH you save 20% on the TC2 course
- MyMedic Individual Bleeding Control Kits, this link and my code DeepWH15 will save you 15% on your purchase. We take ours everywhere.
- North American Rescue CAT tourniquets. Use code MAY25 for 20% off through midnight on 5/31/20. This is a huge savings!
- Cycle Booty Citrus Cleanser and Post Ride Cream.
- Airbnb, Kimberly gave you up to $55 off your first trip.
- Airbnb says, Deep gave you up to $415 off your first adventure.
- Uber gives you $2 off your first three rides.
- Travelex is our trip insurer click for a free quote.
- Girls That Scuba members discount card for all things diving.
- REI Co-op for great sports equipment and travel clothes.
- Sailo for $100 off your next boat rental! Discount Code: KimWa1
- PierShare to rent your dock out or rent a dock.
- BoatUS for your boat towing insurance! Code: HEWAF88
- RoadId for $5 off your cycling/running/kayaking/travel id.
Thank you Bill for being the Best Sailing Partner EVER!
How Boat Sharing Works
Any boat owner can list his or her boat on a number of peer-to-peer sharing platforms that specialize in boats. The service takes a cut of the rental fee, and in exchange the parties involved can get third-party peer-to-peer boat rental insurance, safety and security checks, a secure payment system, and the ability to review ratings.
As a renter, you can search through the database by location or by type of boat and pick out any size or style you likesome of these services have tens of thousands of different boats available across the nation and even internationallyand learn about them before you ever step aboard. Then you connect with the owner to make sure youre comfortable with each other, find out what sort of gear is aboard the boat and included in the rental, and other details. In many cases, you can also choose to hire a professional captain if youd like. Then you book your date, and hit the water.
Age Requirements to Rent
Minimum ages depend to some degree on state laws where youll be boating but as a rule of thumb, in most places youll need to be at least 18 and most peer-to-peer platforms also facilitate rentals to legal adults, only. In some cases, age requirements may change if you hire a professional captain and wont be running the boat yourself.
Pricing
What You Need to Enjoy Your Peer-to-Peer Boat Rental
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Fellow Sailors Share Their Amazing Experiences
Very friendly and positive guests. Open and ready to enjoy every moment of the trip. It was a pleasure to have them onboard. I would be happy if they return someday! Highly recommend.
James and his family are really cool!! There are a few skippers in the family which is always good. They had an awesome day and it was a great pleasure to rent my boat to them! Thanks a lot
Has been a big pleassure to sail with Neil and his family. I specially enjoy his enthusiasm for the sea and the surf and his spirit to motivate and push his parents to join for special trips like this. Thank you for coming. Always welcome on board.All the best!!!
Excellent day out with Eugenio – we went to the Isla de Lagos for the day and sailed back – it was a fabulous moment, great time, great sailing and beautiful weather! would definitely recommend!
Really enjoyable 4 hours on Brunos boat. Great music was being played and two families with 4 kids aged between 7-10 all enjoyed themselves. The boat is big, with a fantastic foredeck. Its an old boat and full of character. Our two hosts on the day made us feel very safe and welcome.
Perfect service. Skipper who knows his boat and water. He teaches when asked to teach. He trusts but verifies!Great experience. No pitfalls!!! I recommend this rental!
Nando is the best – we had an amazing day of sailing with him. He has great knowledge of sailing and is a great captain. His Paella is to die for, I couldnt recommend him more! Thanks again, Nando.
The Happiest Days In The Life Of A Boat Owner Might Be The Day You Buy It And The Day You Rent It Out See If Peer
If you want the joy of boating without owning one, peer-to-peer rental may be for you.
As boat owners, we all know that even when we’re not using our boats, they still cost us money. Slip fees, insurance, and maintenance don’t stop just because our boats are sitting at the dock. At the same time, there are lots of people who aren’t ready to invest in a boat, but who still want to get out on the water. To bridge these two boating groups, a new concept called peer-to-peer boat rental has emerged. Let’s take a look at how it works, and what to consider before you jump in.
For a few years now, people with underused assets, such as cars, bicycles, rooms, and even entire houses, have been connecting via P2P websites to others who want to rent them for a few hours, a day, or a week. Companies such as Airbnb, which allow people to rent out unused rooms on a daily basis, have been around for a few years, and the concept has now migrated to boats. With P2P rental, boat owners can collect some money on days their boats would otherwise sit at the dock or on the trailer. Non-boat owners can get on the water when they want, and let someone else handle the costs of ownership. Vacationers can rent boats far from their normal cruising area, opening up new waters to explore.
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Have You Ever Thought Of Your Boat Earning Money For You While You Are Not Using It But Are Concerned That It Is Not Insured
Airbnb strongly encourages you to purchase insurance
Boat owners have long been using their boats for Airbnb Guests and not realising or ignoring that this will affect the boat insurance and very likley invalidate claims.
Topsail has recognised that there are many owners that are ignoring the fact that they may not be covered and do not tell their insurers for fear that they will not provide the cover or there will be an enormous additional cost and keeping quiet is the better option.
Most recreational boat insurance excludes claims when renting your boat to paying guests as it is classed as a commercial activity.
The Best Airbnb Boats: Top Boat Rentals In America
Below are the best Airbnbs on a boat across the US, ranked by category . The following sections will cover each listing in more detail and show additional boat rentals that youll want to check out.
Looking to stay at a houseboat Airbnb in California? Welcome to the Boatel California! This is one of the best-value Airbnb houseboats in the US, hands down. Its equipped with all the amenities youll need for a comfortable and memorable stay, including a covered deck, full kitchen, TV, and high-speed internet. This houseboat is also just steps from Ventura Harbor Village, the beach, and many other top Ventura attractions.
Enjoy dinner and drinks every night on the deck with stunning views of the waterfront. Its hard to imagine a better location to spend a getaway on the water.
In addition to being a top houseboat rental, the Boatel California is also among the most unique Airbnbs in Southern California.
This luxury yacht Airbnb in Florida provides a fun and unique yachting experience like no other. The houseboat amenities are second to none, including a large top deck with a wet bar and bistro, fully equipped kitchen, unique art designs and furnishings, high-tech lighting and electronics, and a 60-inch Samsung LED with surround sound and Sonos. An overnight stay also includes complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, bikes, fishing poles, and beach gear such as towels and chairs.
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What Is The Airbnb Enhanced Clean Program
The Airbnb Enhanced Clean is a program for hosts that involves learning and getting certified in strict cleaning protocols. These cover everything from wearing personal protective equipment and what cleaning supplies to use to how to clean between guests. All hosts are now required to follow a stringent cleaning plan outlined by Airbnb as part of the program.
Restored Vintage Yacht In Charleston South Carolina
Sleeps: 4 guests/2 bedrooms
Rating: 4.93
This Charleston stay takes place on a Hatteras motor yacht restored with a big helping of Southern charm. The marina location is peaceful and also ideal for exploring downtown Charleston.
The boat features all-teak interiors and white sofas, as well as simple but inviting bedrooms that can easily sleep a family. The main bedroom has a Full bed and an ensuite bathroom, and the second bedroom has two single beds that are just right for kids.
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Amazing Boats You Can Rent On Airbnb
Staying in an Airbnb rental offers travellers a unique alternative to the traditional hotel.
From yurts to treehouses, theres a ton of variety for the more adventurous traveller.
Airbnb also has an impressive selection of sailboats and houseboats that any water lover would enjoy. Weve rounded up some of the best of them here.
Landlubbers need not apply.
Classic 1940 Tug Boat Experience
$164 per Night
This 1948 tug boat used to tow logs across the water but has now been repurposed into an adorable Airbnb stay. When booking youll have the entire tug boat to yourself, which has a cosy downstairs living space with a sofa that turns into a queen-sized bed along with a full kitchen and table. On the rooftop deck of the boat, there is a barbeque and a hot tub to relax and soak in the gorgeous views of downtown Vancouver.
This beautiful 1940s tug boat is located in False Creek right near Granville Island, and when you book this boat youll be picked up and dropped off in a shuttle boat from Granville Island. Guests will also have access to a dinghy for complete independence to get back to shore. While this boat has essentials and amenities like heating and cooking materials, it doesnt have wifi, so be sure to bring some old school entertainment for when youre out on the water!
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Can You Airbnb A Houseboat
The very first thing that you need to ensure is that whether you can Airbnb a houseboat or not. Some regions do not allow Airbnb in the first place, while others do not allow anything other than land-based residential property to be advertised on Airbnb.
Therefore, you need to understand that even if Airbnb has become a hub for offering unique and amazing renting opportunities, whether your local authorities and laws allow houseboats on Airbnb or not.
For this purpose, you can either:
- you can check out their website for further details regarding property renting.
Moreover, you can also check Airbnbs platform for information on regional and local laws. Airbnb staff also keep their online portal up-to-date with the local laws, rules and regulations. So, the first thing that you need to address is the burning question, Can you Airbnb a Houseboat?
Be Descriptive And Creative With The Listing
Every host is trying to take professional pictures of their place or houseboat to showcase the beauty of their listing. You can easily go above and beyond by offering a detailed and creative description of your houseboat on Airbnb.
Before even thinking of jotting down a description, you need to think about the type of audience and potential customers that you want to engage in. If you are going to engage teenagers, you need to come with a description that will entice teenagers. This may include:
- Modern amenities
- Party Environment
- Unusual and Modern Interior Design
On the other hand, if you want to entice couples and older people into coming to your houseboat, you need to modify your description accordingly. You need to make sure that the description offers:
- A serene environment
- Nice antique furniture
- Family-friendly amenities
Moreover, you also need to be quite descriptive and imaginative with the listing. Instead of calling it just an LCD, describe it as a beautiful and modern Smart TV to peruse through all your favorite streaming services. Remember, you are selling your houseboat to the renters. Beautify everything.
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