Click&Boat Review: A new concept in yacht charter
by Sarah Heron 3 Jun 15:12 BST
Bavaria Cruiser 46 in Dubrovnik © Click&Boat
Launched in 2013, Click&Boat has become the world's leading online yacht charter platform, dubbed the 'Airbnb of the seas' by CNN.
First launching with peer-to-peer yacht charters, they quickly moved on to working with both private and professional boat owners and yacht charter companies around the world and now boast over 30,000 boats in more than 50 countries in Europe, Turkey, the Caribbean, Mexico, the US and Latin America, UAE, Asia, the northern coast of Africa and Australia Their customers love the variety of boats available, from motorboats to sailboats, catamarans, houseboats and yachts. You might have seen them at Europe's international boat shows. With online reviews and recommendations, a team of experts on hand, price comparisons and every sort of crewing option available, yacht charter has never been quicker or easier.
How does it work?
Click&Boat's concept works for boat owners who enjoy covering their maintenance costs and earning extra income, and sailing enthusiasts who can now book affordable boats anywhere around the world. Inexperienced sailors can opt for a skipper, while more confident sailors choose their bareboat option. You can book a crew for a more luxurious break, and in some destinations you can sail with the boat's owner, giving you the ultimate insider's experience as they show you their local favourites. Brand ambassador, company investor and famous round the world sailor François Gabart is one of many boat owners whose yacht is listed on the platform.
Starting out on a houseboat on Paris' river Seine, Click&Boat now have offices in Marseille and Miami, with over 90 employees from 18 countries.
Find your perfect yacht charter and check out our reviews
A powerful search engine lets you pick from over 30,000 boats worldwide. Narrow down your search by boat type, length, price, number of passengers, number of cabins, manufacturing year, manufacturer and radius. Their handy past reviews, recommendations and testimonies from other users help you pick your perfect boat. An extra feature that helps users select a boat is the 'Super Owner' icon, designating boat owners who have been distinguished by offering a unique user experience to their renters. You then receive a quote, or you can message the owner directly to arrange the yacht charter. Renters can also add in charter extras such as bedding, crew (including skipper and hostess), car parking, bedding, towels, cleaning, etc. They can also arrange insurance coverage. You can book and pay for your boat online via their secure system, then either complete the contract online or in person at the harbour.
It's also worth signing up to their newsletter for discounts and last-minute offers, and you can also contact the boat owners directly to negotiate costs through the online chat tool.
Booking with confidence
Handy online reviews and testimonies help you take the guesswork out of choosing your yacht charter. With around 45,000 Click&Boat reviews published on the platform, finding a boat to suit you is easy. As you're only able to submit a review when your charter is complete, they can guarantee each review is genuine.
Help is at hand
If you need help or advice, Click&Boat's account managers can not only help you pick a boat but also give you the inside track on your chosen destination. The company offers this service in several languages, including English, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, German and Dutch.
Boats that speak your language
With such an international portfolio of boats, Click&Boat have developed an automatic translation tool that translates the boat description and the owner's comments and recommendations into your language. You can also consult previous Click&Boat reviews to check if a boat is value for money, and compare costs in different currencies.
Crew or Bareboat?
The company offers bareboat yacht charters (without a skipper), as well as crewed and skippered yacht charters. You can opt for a bareboat rental if you hold a relevant boating qualification valid in the sailing destination you choose, otherwise you can opt for a skippered boat hire. A skipper will cost you around 150 (approx. £130) on average per day, depending on the type and size of the boat. Users who opt for a bareboat yacht charter need to provide their 'Sailing CV', detailing your sailing experience, and provide valid copies of their sailing qualifications to the boat owner.
Check out Click&Boat's portfolio of boats to have 30,000 boats at your fingertips.