Are you looking to rent a boat this summer for a holiday weekend or special celebration, and have come across Getmyboat but aren’t sure about renting a boat from an app?
Getmyboat is like an Airbnb for boat rentals and yacht charters, and if you’ve come across their boats but aren’t about renting a boat with an app, we’ve got an in-depth guide for you.
With thousands of 5-star reviews from renters across the globe, the answer is YES, Getmyboat is a legit and convenient way to rent a boat or charter a yacht.
With some of the challenges posed by the sharing economy and online booking platforms, however, we understand the doubts. We’ll provide you with all the information you need to know, so after reading this article, you’ll be well-informed and able to make your final decision.
What is Getmyboat?
Getmyboat is a company that operates within the sharing economy, serving as a boat rental marketplace connecting boat owners with people who are looking to rent boats.
The company was founded in 2013 in the United States, and have since expanded to offer boating experiences across 9,300 destinations in 184 countries. Getmyboat now has more than 170,000 boat and water experience listings, over 600,000 app downloads, and has sent more than 1.6 million people boating.
It also is a booking platform for captained charters — boating experiences hosted by professional captains and crews who take responsibility for navigating and driving the boat. In fact, 71% of all bookings on Getmyboat are captained charters, which makes it possible for people who do not have a boating license or experience to get out and enjoy the water safely. It’s a great resource for people who want to rent a boat and enjoy time on the water with their friends and families.
Unlike boat club and marina membership models, Getmyboat enables people to rent boats as one-off events, with no sign up fees or monthly costs to have access to fleets of boats in various locations. There’s a huge range of water experiences available on the platform — everything from stand-up paddleboards and kayaks to luxury megayachts.
For boat owners, Getmyboat can help them rent out their boat(s) to generate additional income. They also help brick-and-mortar boat rental companies and charter captains advertise their boats and experiences to gain more customers from a global audience.
How Does Getmyboat Work?
Customers looking to rent a boat can easily search for boats on Getmyboat using various filters such as location, boat type, price range, and amenities. Once they find their desired boat listing, they can review details, photos, and reviews from previous renters before sending a booking request. The owner will reply with an offer that the renter can accept and pay for, which will confirm the booking. They can also deny the offer, or ask the owner to make changes before confirming with payment. Once payment is submitted securely via the Getmyboat platform, the booking is confirmed and all set to go.
On the owner’s side, prospective boat owners undergo an onboarding process with the Getmyboat sales team and upon approval, are able to create free listings for their boats, and set their own custom prices, location, availability, and so on.
Throughout the booking and rental experience, Getmyboat offers 24/7 customer support and assistance for both renters and owners, and can help resolve any issues that arise with a booking or experience.
As an alternative to buying a boat or starting a membership at a boat club or marina, Getmyboat enables people to rent boats and book charters in a cost-effective way, since they take the lowest booking fees in the industry and only charge a fee when a booking is made. It’s a convenient way to browse thousands of boat rental options, not only where you live, but in destinations you may be traveling to for a vacation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Getmyboat
Getmyboat is a popular platform for renting boats for over 10 years now, but as boating is more of a niche than something like vacation rentals on Airbnb or cars on Turo, it does sometimes raise some questions for renters.
What Are the Requirements for Getmyboat?
To get started, you have to create a free account using your email address. During the sign-up, you will need to submit basic information about yourself.
When renting, you may have to authenticate your ID, as well as submit documents that validate you are qualified to rent the particular boat you’re interested in. The specific boat rental requirements vary by location and vessel type. Often it will be a boat safety education certificate. The owner you’re renting from will let you know what you need.
Additionally, the host must have a boat that satisfies Getmyboat’s standards.
The boat needs to be in running order, registered, and insured. Captains must have the appropriate captain’s license for the type of vessel they are operating and for the country they are offering charters in.
Furthermore, the captain/owner must have the correct boat insurance for bareboat rentals or for commercial charters, depending on the type of offerings they have. They can choose insurance through Getmyboat’s insurance partner, Boat Charter Insurance, or have their own policies.
Lastly, you must have a credit card payment method, such as a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. The company does not accept prepaid cards.
Renters must abide by all of the owners rules and restrictions for operating their boat, their cancellation policy, and Getmyboat’s Terms of Use.
Can Anybody Rent a Boat From Getmyboat?
To rent a boat as the operator (bareboat, no captain) you must have a valid driver’s license and necessary safety credentials for the locality in which you are renting. The owner can help you determine what specifically you need, often it is a boat safety certificate that shows you’ve completed a boat safety training course.
For booking a boat charter with a professional captain, you do not need a driver’s license or boat safety certificate, as the captain will be the operator of the boat. This is a great option for anyone who wants to enjoy boating but lacks boating experience.
Can Anybody List Their Boat on Getmyboat?
Getmyboat has a strict and thorough onboarding process for all new owners who wish to rent out their boats on the platform. You will need to submit identification, information about your vessel(s), and other information for the team to validate your account. Once you’ve been approved, you’re able to create boat listings and set your prices, availability, and list all necessary information about your boat.
Is Getmyboat Legit?
Yes, Getmyboat is legit. They’re a steady, reliable, legal business that follows the laws of the countries, states, cities, and municipalities in which the boats on their platform operate, and they’ve had millions of users who have successfully listed or rented boats or booked boat charters and other on-water experiences.
They’ve been around since 2013, and somewhat recently received $21 million in series B funding from multinational company Yanmar, who is now a majority stakeholder of Getmyboat.
Dealing with strangers, insurance, liability, maintenance, and taxes are all fair concerns for renting or listing a boat on Getmyboat. But, the company connects you with your boat owner in advance of your booking with direct messaging, and has thousands of reviews for you to check out when choosing who you want to book with if you have any doubts. Insurance, liability, maintenance, and taxes are all thoroughly covered in the sign-up process for boat owners, so renters can rest assured that their captain is above board.
Safety could also be a worry for first-time boaters, which is why the company primarily offers and encourages bookings that include a professional, certified boat captain. There can also be problems if a renter does not read the individual cancellation policy of the boat owner they are renting from, as it can vary from owner to owner and some do not allow last-minute cancellations.
A Few More Reasons Why Getmyboat is Legit:
1. Thorough onboarding process
Getmyboat has an in-depth onboarding process in place for both boat owners and renters to verify identity and security. To sign up, you must enter your phone number, email address, and payment card verification.
Occasionally a new user will be asked to verify their identity. They will receive a secure email link from a verification partner to submit ID information.
2. 24/7 customer service
Getmyboat has a customer service team of real people who are available 24/7 to help renters and owners manage their bookings.
3. Wide selection of boating experiences
Getmyboat offers a wide range of boat styles and types to meet your experience desires. You can search for anything from a modest pontoon to a luxury megayacht and filter by features such as price, boat style, and captained or bareboat experiences.
4. A big community
Getmyboat’s network of boat owners and renters is accommodating and helpful. You can browse thousands of reviews and ratings from past users to get a sense of the boat’s quality, the overall experience provided by the owner/captain, and more information about boating in the select area.
You may also ask your boat owner or captain questions, make special arrangements, and provide comments straight through the Getmyboat app.
Is Getmyboat Reliable?
Yes. It’s a reliable and, for almost everyone, a much more cost-effective alternative to boat club or marina memberships, or traditional boat ownership.
The platform serves as a middleman between a boat owner and renter, connecting both parties in a secure online portal. They also offer customer support throughout the process, from initial inquiry to confirming the booking, to completing the experience on the water.
Getmyboat also implements plenty of measures to ensure the reliability of boat owners and their vessels and the safety of the guests.The owner needs to provide all of Getmyboat’s requirements to help ensure that they’re responsible and qualified to offer a positive rental experience.
You’ve also got some built-in transparency and accountability through the thousands of reviews and ratings across their boat listings. Guests can share their firsthand experiences and leave reviews as a reference for future renters and help them to make informed decisions.
Is Getmyboat Safe?
Getmyboat is safe to use and free from fraudulent transactions. They have a strict screening process for all users, especially for boat owners and captains. 71% of all bookings on the platform are captained charters, making it a safe choice for boating enthusiasts who want a professional captain to handle the navigation and driving of the boat.
However, safety also depends on the renter and passengers. They should always inspect the boat before and after the trip, and report any concerns or damage to Getmyboat and the owner. Consuming alcohol while boating is never a good idea, and renters are responsible for behaving in accordance with local laws and regulations. Wearing a lifejacket and ensuring there is sufficient life saving equipment onboard is the responsibility of the boat owner and/or captain, but all renters should verify its availability and location on the vessel before cruising away from the dock.
The renter and all passengers must follow the boat owner or captain’s rules and guidelines, and listen when being given directions while out on the water. If renting without a captain, they must have a designated driver and navigate responsibly, and abide by all local regulations for the body of water they are boating on.
As long as the renters do thorough research on the local area and boating regulations, and follow maritime laws, they can have a safe and comfortable experience using Getmyboat.
What Google Reviewers Liked About Getmyboat
Getmyboat is a boat rental platform that has received 4.9 stars out of 5 based on 806 reviews on Google. Most of the reviews praise the company’s convenience, boat offerings, and clear communication from both the boat owner and the customer service team.
- The owners and captains are professional. Most guests love how they communicate well to meet their needs and preferences. The owners are courteous, friendly, skilled, and follow high standards. They also respond quickly and solve any problems. They also often make the boat trip extra special, with touches like including a free bottle of champagne for a special occasion or taking guests to spots where they are likely to see dolphins or whales.
- Easy transactions. Users appreciate the simplicity and convenience of using the app or the website to find and book boat rentals. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the pick-up and drop-off are fast and smooth. The app is user-friendly and allows guests to browse and choose vehicles easily.
- It’s an affordable boat rental option. Getmyboat offers competitive prices for boat rentals and charters. The reviewers often remark on the affordability and appreciate the vast range of options of boats that help them find a vessel that meets their budget requirements.
What Google Reviewers Worried About
While Getmyboat enjoys an overall high rating and is well-established in the boat rental industry, some customers have expressed concerns and dissatisfaction. The following are some of the issues raised by reviewers:
- Last-minute cancellations. Renters have voiced disappointment when an owner cancels their booking at the last minute. While the Getmyboat team will work to find an alternative solution or boat owner for the renter, sometimes it’s not possible to arrange another experience so last-minute.
- A non-refundable service fee. The Getmyboat service fee is non-refundable, even in the event of a cancellation within the window of the owner’s cancellation policy. Some renters have expressed dissatisfaction when being charged a service fee for a canceled booking.
- Unexpected costs. Users in some locations have expressed dissatisfaction with pricing, citing instances of unexpected fees for captains, gratuity, or fuel.
Getmyboat’s Quality & Guarantees
Getmyboat’s commitment to great experiences for both boat owners and renters is one of its main advantages. They also allow renters to cancel trips and obtain reimbursements based on the cancellation policy of the host.
If renters have any problems during their boat day, they can request a refund, and Getmyboat will review each case on an individual basis to ensure equitable outcomes for both the renter and the owner.
Lastly, Getmyboat prioritizes fraud prevention and user security. They use professional tools and a trained team to monitor the site for fraudulent activity, protecting users from unwanted charges or transactions.
Does Getmyboat Offer Customer Service?
Getmyboat has a customer support team that’s available to assist both hosts and visitors 24/7. And they’re excellent — they’re very quick to respond, eager to help, and have won numerous customer service awards.
What Customer Service Options Are Available?
Your best option is to speak with a Getmyboat customer service team member. You can send them an email at [email protected] or call +1 (818) 927-2148. They typically reply to emails within an hour. The team is available 24/7 around the clock to assist renters and owners with managing their bookings or any other concerns.
Another option if you’re simply seeking an answer to an FAQ or non-urgent concern, you can visit the Getmyboat Journal or Zendesk website, where you can find answers to frequently asked questions and articles on various topics.
Wrapping Up
So yes, Getmyboat is a legit company and a great resource for finding and booking boat rentals and charters. There are a few small things that you should be aware of before booking, but on the whole it’s a solid and reliable service with strong customer support should you ever have any issues.
What do you think of Getmyboat? Have you used it before or are you planning to try it soon? Let me know in the comments below. And if you liked this article, please share it with your friends and family who might be interested in renting a boat with Getmyboat. Thank you for reading!
