Vacation Boat Rentals In Florida
Boat rentals in Florida are a tried-and-tested way to discover the Sunshine State and, whether its a charming houseboat on the wildlife-rich St. Johns River or a sleek yacht in sultry Miami, there are countless options on the menu. Cocoa boat rentals, as well as those from Fort Lauderdale, are ideal for exploring Floridas east coast, while a yacht rental from either of those launch spots gives you enough oomph to get to the Florida Keys and beyond.
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.
Safety Was An Early Stage Issue
Its an obvious win for boat owners who are looking for ways to minimise the cost of owning a boat by renting it out for a few days and modern technology means that the boat can find nearby customers without being registered to a specific boating agency as in the past.
Safety issues are paramountBoatbound came unstuck after a customer lost a leg in an accident because the startup didnt require that people hire captains with the boats, something which its competitors doand renters are able to take out insurance on a daily basis via accompanying apps.
Don’t Miss: How To Check If My Boat Is Registered
Rent A Boat In Nyc With Click&boat
New York is the city that never sleeps, famous for the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park and the New York Knicks. It also happens to be a great starting point for a sailing tour if you rent a boat in New York.
Many boating aficionados set out to explore the New York Harbor, while others prefer to circumnavigate Manhattan Island for a privileged view of this famous neighborhood’s bridges. Some rent a boat in New York City to celebrate special occasions such as weddings with a bachelor party or anniversaries with a romantic sunset cruise.
Captain & Charter Waitlist:
Use the waitlist to secure your spot in line for Captained Rentals & Yacht Charters , and charter dates for ELIXIR our 24 guest luxury party yacht.; Select your vessel, date and check off Captain Requested to request captained services.
If you tried to book a bareboat rental that is currently booked, you can use the waitlist to be the first in line for a cancellation on your preferred date or boat.
Full Day Rentals Available get the time in between half day rentals as a bonus and enjoy more time on the water!
Six passenger maximum on all captained rentals, no exceptions.
Semi-Private Powerboat Training Classes offered Monday, Tuesday & Thursday mornings.
Don’t Miss: Who Owns Freedom Boat Club
Step : Define Your Brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you aren’t feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners, we’ll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.
Recommended: Get a logo using Truic’s free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker.
How to promote & market a canoe and kayak rental business
Word-of-mouth advertising is the best form of marketing for a canoe and kayak business. The canoe and kayak community is a small, tight-knit community, and word will spread if a place has good equipment, service and prices.
Online marketing through social media and guest blogging can also be an effective way to reach potential customers, because people often research destinations and rental companies online before signing up to rent a canoe or kayak.
How to keep customers coming back
Still unsure about what kind of business you want to start? Check out the latest Small Business Trends to help inspire you.
Make Sure You Get The Right Boat For You
When you are renting a boat, you will want to make sure you rent the right type of boat.
In this regard it is important to know your limits. You likely will not want to take out a full size sailboat if you have never sailed before.
You will also want to make sure you choose a boat that will fit the needs of your party.
Make sure you keep passenger count in mind when choosing a boat so that you do not overcrowd the vessel.
If you plan to do watersports you will want a boat with enough power to pull your sport equipment.
Also Check: What’s My Boat Worth
Step : Open A Business Bank Account & Credit Card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Additionally, learning how to build business credit can help you get and other financing in your business’s name , better interest rates, higher lines of credit, and more.
Open a business bank account
- This separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- It also makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank, credit union, business-loan friendly banks, one with many brick-and-mortar locations, and more.
Open net-30 accounts
When it comes to establishing your business credit, net-30 vendors are considered the way to go. The term “net-30,” which is popular among vendors, refers to a business credit arrangement where the company pays the vendor within 30 days of receiving goods or services.
Net-30 credit terms are often used for businesses that need to obtain inventory quickly but do not have the cash on hand.
Besides establishing business relationships with vendors, net-30 credit accounts get reported to the major business credit bureaus . This is how businesses build business credit so they can qualify for credit cards and other lines of credit.
Tips For Reducing Risks As Boat Renter
A simple solution to all of this is to hire a boat captain with the boat you rent. This means you don’t have to worry about meeting some standards to actually be able to charter the boat.
Most peer to peer platforms provide options to add a captain for a fee and if you have no experience with boating, this is something to consider for sure.
Other things you can do to reduce risk is:
- Inspect the boat before renting it
- Take a simple boating course
- Know the passengers you are bringing onboard with you. (this applies in particular to party boats where you may not know everyone onboard directly.
- Read reviews from other boat renters
These are just some of the ideas to help reduce your risk and have a great day on the waters.
So there you have it…
The above information are simple tips to ensure both the boat owner and boat renter are protected in the event of an accident occurring.
Staying protected and compliant with all regulatory bodies is very important. Again, as a reminder, if in doubt, simply contact your insurance provider if you are a boat owner or ask the boat owner directly if you are a boat renter.
And keep everything in writing, either through email or through online platforms to help avoid any confusion either boat owner or renter may have.
And most importantly have a great time on the water!
You May Like: What Kind Of Boat Is This
What Our Boat Owners Say About Click&boat
I discovered Click&Boat in 2015 and offered my yacht for rental on the platform. Since then, many boating enthusiasts have helped me cover the costs for maintaining and sprucing up my yacht, Viguy.
I rent out my RM for a few weeks every year. I can thus cover part of my costs.
Setting sail with the ‘Airbnb of the seas
Marine versions of property-sharer Airbnb or ride-sharer BlaBlaCar are trying to match the two. In Europe a French firm founded in 2013 by Jeremy Bismuth and Edouard Gorioux sets the pace.
Click&Boat the Uber of the boating world. Peer-to-peer pier-to-pier, if you like.
How To Start A Canoe And Kayak Rental Business
Many people enjoy being on the water, but either don’t own a boat or want to go boating where they can’t bring theirs. A canoe and kayak rental business lets people rent canoes and kayaks to take out on nearby waterways. Customers can take canoes out for as little as an hour or as long as a day or more.
Learn how to start your own Canoe and Kayak Rental Business and whether it is the right fit for you.
Skip Ahead To
Read Also: Where To Buy Boat Paint
If Im A Current Boat Owner Whats The First Step I Would Take To Start The Process Of Renting Out My Boat
VS: Get in touch with a member of our team! They can help you create a free account and listings for your boats. Youll want to have great photos, a clear description of the experiences you can offer, and set your prices to get your listing ready. You will want to go to the GetMyBoat Calendar and mark your availability, blocking off any dates you cant rent out your boat so that renters wont be able to request when you are not available.
Once youre all set, you will receive booking inquiries from renters who want to rent your boat. Its crucial to respond promptly to increase your chances of the renter committing to you, confirming and paying for the rental.
If you plan on being the host-captain, check your license is still valid. If you plan on renting then you then just need to check your insurance and you are away!
Ready to start renting out your boat? Dont forget to encourage your renters to download the KnowWake app before leaving the dock.
Airbnb For Boats: Water
Its been a decade since the launch of Airbnb and Uber, now considered a part of life for many people booking trips and journeys. In that time, several boat sharing apps have been working hard to disrupt how people rent boats or book activities on the water, many of them hoping to make steady inroads into the same space.
Boat rentals are on the up across the world
Sergi Gulenok /Unsplash
Also Check: What Does Boat Insurance Cost
Everything A Boater Needs To Know About Listing Their Boat On An Online Rental App
SPONSORED POST
Boatsetters rental marketplace allows you to make money off your boats idle time with you in control.
Is your boat catching more dust than waves nowadays, but youre just not ready to part with her yet? We have a solution if youve ever thought How can I rent my boat? but never knew where to begin.
Boatsetter is the worlds largest peer-to-peer marketplace that provides a platform for boat owners and experience seekers to connect with one another. When you list on Boatsetters rental marketplace youre given the opportunity to make money off your boats idle time with you in control. Set your price, availability, rules and which renters you accept bookings from. Have we mentioned its completely free to list?
Below, weve provided you with enough information and plenty of tips to get your Boatsetter profile started today!
Boat Rental App Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a good owner on the platform?
- Stay responsive Renters are likely to complete a booking within 24 hours of their first message so keep those notifications on or activate the Instant Book feature to make sure you never miss a trip.
- Keep pricing competitive Look to boats similar to yours in your area, to make sure youre offering the rate renters cant pass up.
- Update calendars often Plan on using the boat yourself for the weekend? Mark your calendar unavailable when youre not looking to rent to others; you can also make date specific pricing in the feature!
What are the fees and when do I get paid?
- Boatsetter takes a 20% commission where you will keep 80% of your earnings; fee goes to both business & insurance costs.
- All payments are processed through Stripe and will be distributed via direct deposit within 2 business days of a concluded trip.
What is needed to list on a boat rental app?
- 30 minutes of your time to sit down and create your boats profile for your boat
- At least 5 high-quality photos of every angle of your boat. The more detailed photos you provide, the faster your listing can be approved
- A minimum of a recreational or personal boating insurance; Like your normal Geico policy
- What is provided through GEICO Marine insurance coverage?
Where do I operate Rentals?
What do I need to know before I begin?
What are the renter requirements?
Also Check: How Long Are Boat Loans Usually
What Is The Cost Of A Nyc Boat Rental
The cost of a New York boat rental depends on a variety of factors. Such as how long the rental is for, the age and model of the vessel, as well as if you are renting during peak or low season. So be sure to consider these when looking for a boat with your budget.
- A motorboat rentals start at $175/hour or $700/day for 6 guests aboard, but can cost up to $1,900/day.
- For anglers, fishing charters start at $700/day for 6 people with a captain on board.
- Sailboat rentals in NYC start at $425/2.5 hours and typically cost between $1,200/day and $1,890/day.
- For a special thrill, jet ski rentals cost about $150/hour.
- A luxury yacht charter in NYC costs about $16,200/day and can accommodate up to 12 guests.
- New York party boats cost about $9,300/day for 40 guests. The price of larger party boats is between $16,000/day and $23,700/day to host 150 to 400 people on board.
Since you are interested in renting a boat in New York City, how about checking out our fleet in nearby destinations?;
What’s It Like To Rent Your Pride & Joy
Bob Kellett, a BoatUS member from Seattle, Washington, has rented his 30-foot Nonsuch, Bobcat, several times and says that so far he’s been impressed. “You’re in control of the entire process,” he says, “from setting your price to checking out potential renters.” Kellett talks to potential renters on the phone and if he’s comfortable with their experience, he’ll meet them at the boat for a thorough run-through. He gives his renters a detailed instruction form about the boat’s equipment, and a step-by-step guide for things like starting the engine, raising the boat’s big main, and how to use the head. He’ll even take them out on the boat for a few minutes if they want.
The first time he rented his boat he was apprehensive. “I felt like a nervous father whose daughter was going to the prom,” he jokes. But after a couple of rentals, he realized that the renters cared about his boat, too, and were there for the same reason he was â a love of the water and boating. He also tells his renters that he’s only a phone call away, should they have questions. So far, the only downside is an occasional scheduling conflict when he’d like to use the boat himself, so he tries to find renters who can give him a few weeks’ notice. On the upside, he says it’s a good excuse to keep his boat looking good. And the extra money in his pocket from a couple of rentals a month easily pays his moorage. “I hope to do more of this next year,” he says. “I’m sold on the concept.”
You May Like: Is Banana Boat Sunscreen Good
Boating Events In Destin
Every August in Destin, the Emerald Coast Boat Week & Poker Run takes over a long weekend and is a time full of events for all ages. Boaters looking to participate must register in advance in order to cruise along the parade route and throw beads to onlookers. Its a great event that raises money for youth programs in Northwest Florida. Memorial Day weekend is a big one in Destin, as it officially kicks off the summer season and is celebrated by weekly fireworks displays over the Destin harbor.
Two major fishing events occur every June in Destin; the Swordfish Shootout and the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic. In October, check out the Destin Fishing Rodeo and Seafood Festival, two exciting events that draw big crowds to the city.
