Yanmar and GetMyBoat partner to boost boat rental market for summer staycations

by Saltwater Stone 29 May 2020 10:00 PDT

With domestic tourism set to flourish in the wake of the global coronavirus lockdown, GetMyBoat, the world's largest boat rental and water experience marketplace, is strengthening its service by signing up more boat owners and operators to meet the new demand from local renters.

The free GetMyBoat platform provides the perfect solution for people seeking a fun and safe outdoors 'staycation' this year, while also offering an effective way for boat owners and charter operators to reach thousands of potential customers as businesses look for new ways to recover from the impact of the health crisis.

Supported by partner and strategic investor YANMAR with the joint aim to enable more people to enjoy experiences on the water and drive growth in the boating industry, GetMyBoat is aiming to expand its comprehensive offering of more than 130,000 boating experiences in 184 countries and 9,300 destinations around the world. The company is also endorsing new safety measures and offering advice to ensure renting a boat is as safe as possible while coronavirus is a threat.

Val Streif, Marketing Manager, GetMyBoat, said: "With the massive decline in travel and vacations in the coming months, staycations are definitely on the rise. A boat rental is a fantastic option for a staycation, because it enables you to enjoy your local area and waterways with a small group. Boating locally provides the experience of the 'boating lifestyle' of your city and getting outdoors on the water has great mental health benefits, especially after weeks of being confined indoors.

"We are continually looking to bring on new boat owners and operators to further enhance our platform and make it easy to find on-the-water experiences anywhere. With many businesses seeking out new ways to recover from the coronavirus outbreak, GetMyBoat is a great tool for closing the gap on booking shortfalls and customer shortages during the summer season. Plus, GetMyBoat is committed to taking the lowest fees (upon confirmed booking) in the industry."

Following several weeks of uncertainty and limited outdoor freedom, boat rentals and other activities on the water with small groups are popular options for a safe holiday. For families who are no longer heading out on a summer vacation abroad, a boat rental can include equipment for a range of watersports, including tubing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and more. The GetMyBoat platform and messaging app simplifies the process of booking a boat, enabling people to browse boats and connect directly with owners. Meanwhile, companies and private boat owners can list their watercraft for access to millions of visitors.

As added reassurance, GetMyBoat is offering the following advice on how to safely enjoy boating while maintaining social distancing to minimize the risk of transmission.

• Communicate with your captain over the messaging tool on the GetMyBoat app if you have concerns over boat sanitization. The vast majority of boat captains spend a considerable amount of time cleaning their boats between charters.
• Renters are encouraged to bring their own wipes or sprays if they prefer. Boats are made of surfaces that are easy to clean and sanitize.
• Wearing a mask when you exchange keys or when in close contact with boat captains or owners, and while on the docks in the marina, is a good idea for staying safe.
• Limiting the number of people in a boating group to just members of a household or a few close friends is ideal, and staying away from any gatherings while boating (i.e. sandbar and island parties, places where people tie up boats together) will help prevent transmission of any sickness while enjoying the sunshine.

One GetMyBoat captain, Doug, in Virginia Beach, lists some of the measures he and other skippers are now adopting. He said: "Between every charter, I make sure the entire boat has been washed down with an environmentally friendly detergent and left to dry in sunlight. All storage lockers, grab rails, helm controls are wiped down. When guests arrive, they are provided hand sanitizer and I have reduced my capacity from six to four for the time being."

Yanmar Marine International has a strong partnership with GetMyBoat and shares the same vision to generate participation in boat-based activities and improve access, affordability and flexibility for the growing market of people looking for new experiences on the water. With global presence, outstanding heritage and a tradition of innovation in the marine sector, the diesel engine specialist's strategic plan aims to drive growth, sustainability and awareness in the boating industry.