Platform-based boat rentals are now available in the Coastal Bend on GetMyBoat.com. Anyone interested in renting a boat to spend time on the water can easily find one by creating an account on the website or app. Boat owners can list their crafts for rent on the site as well.
GetMyBoat.com, a shared-economy, boat-rental platform, helps boat owners connect with boat renters similar to how homeowners list their properties on Airbnb.com.
“Our message is to bring boating to everyone,” said Val Streif, head of marketing for GetMyBoat, a business headquartered in San Francisco. “We want to get everyone out on the water we can.”
Co-founded by entrepreneurs Sascha Mornell and Rafael Collado, the app matches people who don’t own boats but want to get out on the water with people who want to make some money off their crafts when not otherwise in use. The pair got the idea after seeing how many boats sat unused in slips in San Francisco.
That idea has grown to include 9,300 locations in 184 countries. Along with renting privately owned vessels to those interested in operating the boats themselves, the platform also includes opportunities for water sports lessons and tour boat companies eager to take advantage of the free marketing platform.
“The platform charges a seven percent fee per booking,” Streif said. “If you listed all your boats and no one ever booked them, there’s no charge.”
Captained boats make up a majority of rentals in areas such as Corpus Christi, although individually operated boats are also available.
“Texas has been a really great market for us,” Streif continued. “Our renter demand is starting to exceed our owners.”
Those interested in renting out their boat can do so by creating an account on GetMyBoat.com. Add a description and a photo of the boat. The listing can be turned on and off as needed.
To rent a boat, the process is just as simple. Create an account on GetMyBoat.com, search by location, and click on the boat you want, which starts a booking inquiry.
“Be as specific as possible about what you want,” Streif suggested. “Include the day, hours, whether or not you want a captain, the number of people coming. The captain (owner) will respond with an offer, and you can choose it and pay right there on the platform.”
Once the deal is confirmed, owner and renter exchange contact information to work out the rest of the details.
“It is up to the owners to follow all their local laws and regulations,” Streif said. “Our goal is to help people of every age, background, and budget to experience everything the water has to offer in a fun, safe way.”
