In today's market, there are numerous yacht rental services available. So, with a similar assortment across platforms, how do you choose whom to work with? To answer this, let's understand the types of services available and how they differ.
Nowadays, you can find lots of places where you can rent a yacht. For instance, a Google search for "rent a boat in Croatia" yields several pages with dozens of different website links.
Interestingly, most platforms display the same yachts, with identical names and roughly similar prices. This is because all services access a common database where charter companies list their yachts.
But with so many options, how do you decide which one to go for? To figure this out, we will look at the different kinds of services.
Interestingly, most platforms display the same yachts, with identical names and roughly similar prices. This is because all services access a common database where charter companies list their yachts.
But with so many options, how do you decide which one to go for? To figure this out, we will look at the different kinds of services.
1. Agents and agencies using a manual approach
This first generation of services, as old as real estate agents or insurance brokers, offers a decent service level despite limited automation. However, agents fall behind more modern players in several aspects:
- Limited assortment due to the inability to connect to all costly yacht databases from different charter companies.
- Lack of data for recommendations - handling just a few clients a month, agents accumulate insufficient experience and can't competently respond to queries about hundreds of different charter companies in various countries. Larger services handle hundreds of orders monthly and have more substantial statistics, allowing them to provide better recommendations to their clients.
- Resource limitations for service provision. Handling everything manually without automation, agents struggle to sell and process charters, leaving no time for additional services.
- Slow work pace. Traditional agencies take at least a day to process a request - they manually check several databases, verify yacht availability, create selections, and email them to clients. In comparison, at SEARADAR, we send selections within 10 minutes in semi-automatic and within 30 minutes in manual mode. Various tools and algorithms aid our managers in speeding up the process.
- Outdated materials. Not critical, but inconvenient for the modern user. Agents typically use manual database extracts in PDF format, which is not smartphone-friendly, doesn't allow photo enlargement, and contains non-updatable information.
Evaluation of Manual Approach Services
Yacht selection speed
1/10
Ease of yacht presentation
2/10
Quality of recommendations
5/10
Protection of client rights
1/10
Pre-charter support
4/10
During-charter support
1/10
Own products for yachtsmen
0/10
2. Automated Yacht Booking Platforms
The next generation of services focuses on automation and speeding up processes. These platforms are ideal for quick searches and getting an overall picture of the market. You enter your requirements and instantly get hundreds of options that match your query. In principle, you can immediately pay for the option you like.
However, there are several nuances to consider
- The search often doesn't account for the quality of yachts, previous client reviews, or charter companies' ratings - you simply get a list of options and choose at your own risk. Sometimes the choice is successful, sometimes not - the yacht could be in poor condition, or the charter company might have low service standards or even engage in fraudulent practices with deposits.
- As charter companies are often limited in resources and technology, the information on platforms can sometimes be unreliable, concerning the actual availability of yachts, prices, booking conditions, and other important details.
- Focusing on the search function, aggregator platforms often don't provide adequate customer service. Some may completely transfer you to the charter company, while others perform basic tasks like preparing crew lists, but often that's where it ends. They don't offer support, consultations, or additional services.
- The nature of platform operations is to process orders quickly and save their resources. This means that any individual requests are usually not possible - you get a standard package from the charter company, and anything outside of this must be negotiated directly with them, often not known until after booking and payment.
Evaluation of booking platforms
Yacht selection speed
10/10
Ease of yacht presentation
10/10
Quality of recommendations
3/10
Protection of client rights
3/10
Pre-charter support
2/10
During-charter support
1/10
Own products for yachtsmen
3/10
3. Sailing experience platforms
A new generation of projects includes not only yacht booking but also assistance in organizing and conducting trips.
Such services are a natural evolution of agents and booking platforms, combining the best of manual approach and automation. In recent years, more yachtsmen are switching to such services for obvious reasons.
Let's discuss these using our project, SEARADAR, as an example.
Such services are a natural evolution of agents and booking platforms, combining the best of manual approach and automation. In recent years, more yachtsmen are switching to such services for obvious reasons.
Let's discuss these using our project, SEARADAR, as an example.
Efficient, Quick Communication
WhatsApp, Email, SMS – we use communication channels that are convenient for you. Communication is as prompt as possible; you no longer need to wait half a day for email responses.
Comprehensive Choice
SEARADAR works with all existing databases, providing the most comprehensive selection of yachts available on the market.
Full Concierge Service
Beyond yacht rental, we fully cover all service needs before and during the trip. From preparing necessary documents, checking skipper licenses to booking airport transfers, route recommendations, and assistance with the charter company.
Personalized Approach
After six years in the market, we've learned that yachting can't be fully automated. Booking a trip worth thousands of euros, upon which entire teams' vacations depend, isn't as simple as buying a plane ticket or car rental. Most of our clients request personalized terms that require negotiations with charter companies.
WhatsApp, Email, SMS – we use communication channels that are convenient for you. Communication is as prompt as possible; you no longer need to wait half a day for email responses.
Comprehensive Choice
SEARADAR works with all existing databases, providing the most comprehensive selection of yachts available on the market.
Full Concierge Service
Beyond yacht rental, we fully cover all service needs before and during the trip. From preparing necessary documents, checking skipper licenses to booking airport transfers, route recommendations, and assistance with the charter company.
Personalized Approach
After six years in the market, we've learned that yachting can't be fully automated. Booking a trip worth thousands of euros, upon which entire teams' vacations depend, isn't as simple as buying a plane ticket or car rental. Most of our clients request personalized terms that require negotiations with charter companies.
Own Products
Thanks to feedback from our clients, we at SEARADAR have developed and offer several important products in addition to yacht charter:
Free Deposit Pack
A service allowing you to rent without making a security deposit. What used to be a major headache and source of stress during trips is no longer required.
Learn more
Free Cancellation
In today's uncertain world, booking yachts in advance with a prepayment is risky when there's a possibility of cancellation.
To mitigate this risk for you, we introduced a free cancellation policy – a scheme allowing you to cancel your trip free of charge up to 45 days before the trip, regardless of the reason. Team not assembled? Someone fell ill? Something else unforeseen happened? Just cancel and get a 100% refund.
This gives you peace of mind and the ability to book yachts well in advance, when the most favorable conditions apply.
To mitigate this risk for you, we introduced a free cancellation policy – a scheme allowing you to cancel your trip free of charge up to 45 days before the trip, regardless of the reason. Team not assembled? Someone fell ill? Something else unforeseen happened? Just cancel and get a 100% refund.
This gives you peace of mind and the ability to book yachts well in advance, when the most favorable conditions apply.
Learn more
Evaluation of sailing experience platforms, as exemplified by SEARADAR
Yacht selection speed
9/10
Ease of yacht presentation
9/10
Quality of recommendations
10/10
Protection of client rights
9/10
Pre-charter support
10/10
During-charter support
10/10
Own products for yachtsmen
10/10
Interested in trying? Start by placing an order, and within 10 minutes, you'll receive your first yacht selection.
Searadar is a comprehensive online concierge service for sailboat captains.
UAB Searadar
Register code: 305242131
A. Smetonos g. 4-2, Vilnius, LT-01115, Lithuania
© SeaRadar. All rights reserved
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
COMPANY
CONTACT
FOLLOW US
