The boat-sharing company Boatsetter said it reached a milestone of forming more than 165 marina partnerships, having recently merged with peer-to-peer boat rental company Cruzin.
Unlike fractional ownership or charter fleets, boat-sharing vessels are privately owned and maintained. Boats that might otherwise rarely leave the dock are now being put to use on Boatsetter.com. For a marina, this increase in activity translates to income.
Empty slips are filled, additional fuel is sold, service and storage dockets remain full, and retail and dining traffic increase. If a marina has attached boat sales, many dealers are listing their vessels with Boatsetter to create try-it-before-you-buy-it scenarios that are successfully generating profits, the company said.
Boatsetter said top marinas across the country have joined with it because they say there is a rise in revenue and customer base growth.
“It’s highly strategic,” Boatsetter CEO Jaclyn Baumgarten said in a statement. “If we get more people actively participating in boating, we end up stimulating the marine economy in a very significant way. Marinas, a major segment of the industry, see the long-term financial benefits of embracing boat-sharing.”
Boatsetter said it has created a robust partnership network, including Almar Marinas; Aqua Marine Partners; Bestinboating.com; BoatUS; Brewer Yacht Yards and Marinas; Conch Harbor Marina Key West; Denison Yacht Sales; Flagship Marinas; Gulfstream Boat Club; Loggerhead Marinas; Marinas International; Morningstar Marinas; National Liquidators; Palm Beach Yacht Center; Sea Tow; Suntex Marinas; Vessel Vanguard; and Westrec Marinas.
Boatsetter said it brings owners, renters and Coast Guard-licensed captains together to create a boat rental community.
The company said it has thousands of boat listings of all varieties located in boating destinations worldwide. Each transaction features insurance coverage and on-water towing and assistance.
