Boat Sharing: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
Boat Sharing: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
The joy and thrill of boating is only matched by the painful reality of owning a boat.
First, there’s the expense of buying one. Then insurance. Fuel, storage and gear all add up (life jackets, fire extinguishers and foulies don’t come cheap). There’s the upkeep — repairs and maintenance, licenses and park entry fees, and the money you pay that diver to scrub the crustaceans off your hull. Storage, moving and slip fees only increase the burden — and all the while, your boat is depreciating. That’s sinking – financially.
When you consider these costs along with the fact that, in most parts of the world, boating is seasonal — requiring full participation to make the investment worthwhile, it’s hard to justify taking the plunge.
So why do people do it? Because family memories are made on boats. Because they give us access to a whole host of activities, from snorkeling to fishing to water skiing. But mostly, because there’s nothing quite like the thrill of being out on the water.
These costs and rewards aren’t likely to change anytime soon. But what has changed is the way technology can bring like-minded people together faster and more effectively than ever before. And in the case of boat ownership, the peer-to-peer model could hardly be more fitting. That’s why we started GetMyBoat.com, currently the largest peer-to-peer boat rental site on the internet, attracting thousands of listings in over two dozen countries, just months after launching.
We’re building a robust boating community where users have access to a full range of watercraft — from 100-foot yachts to kayaks and canoes — all on a hassle-free, rental basis. It’s a fun and flexible way of enjoying those cherished aquatic adventures, without the commitment of ownership.
And for boat owners who pay all the requisite fees and expenses, it’s an opportunity to help offset that overhead. If you know your boat will just be sitting vacant in the harbor, why not recoup some of those costs by renting it out to trustworthy, boat-savvy people? It’s a win-win scenario.
Ten years ago, if you suggested a captain turn over his helm to a total stranger from the Internet, you might get an invitation to walk the plank and jump overboard. But the web has since evolved into a sophisticated digital marketplace, where advancements in technology allow us to shop for homes, make bank transfers and sell our cars with ease. In each of these cases, our initial fear and trepidation was overcome by unique tools, services and controls built into the experience. GetMyBoat delivers security through insurance, social media monitoring and reviews. But on a more basic level, we help facilitate a level of communication that builds trust and confidence.
We’d LOVE to credit our success to the striking interface we’ve created, our brilliant marketing strategy or the matching Sperry’s we all wear to work (just kidding). The truth is, however, that GetMyBoat happens to be a good idea that addresses the love of boating and the cost of ownership all at once. That’s what we’re all about.
Bryan Petro is Head of Product at GetMyBoat.com, the world’s largest peer-to-peer marketplace for watercraft rental. Launched in San Francisco, California in 2013, GetMyBoat serves renters and owners of every type of boat across the world, from California to Croatia and from kayaks to catamarans. For more information, visit www.getmyboat.com.
