NEWS

'Airbnb of yachts' offers a summer Florida travel alternative

Laura Jazmin Tolliver
ltolliver@pbpost.com

Maybe you’ve daydreamed of sailing off into the sunset on a luxury yacht or boating around the world to fulfill your bucket list. But not only are finances tight, you don’t have a friend with a boat and you have no boating experience.

That’s where Boatsetter, known as the “Airbnb of yachts,” comes in.

Run by Miami-born CEO and co-founder Jaclyn Baumgarten, Boatsetter boasts more than 26,000 boat rentals in over 600 locations.

The Boatsetter website connects boat owners with potential renters. After exploring the fleet on the site, you’ll be connected with boat owners and captains. Unlike Airbnb, the longest you can rent a boat from Boatsetter is a full day.

Don’t have any experience on the water? Not a problem. You can rent a U.S. Certified Coast Guard boat captain for any Boatsetter rental, which makes the company different from most traditional charter boat companies.

The service can also suggest full-day trip itineraries for those who want an easy daycay plan.

“We’re a one-stop shop where anyone can go to have an incredible experience on the water whether you want to go deep sea fishing or sailing or water sports activities, this is the one place you can go to and have thousands of options to choose from,” said Baumgarten.

Check out their Florida trip suggestions here.

The boats range from simple motorboats for a day of snorkeling to sailboats for sunset sail sessions to full-blown yachts, so there’s something for everyone.

“We have boats in Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. The beauty this summer is that whether you’re traveling or at home, this is a perfect way to spend your time with friends and family,” said Baumgarten.

While some luxury yachts on the site run for tens of thousands of dollars for a day at sea, not every rental has to break the bank.

“We have boats that you can take out for $250 for half a day, and if you can split that with 10 friends, it’s cheaper than going to dinner,” said Baumgarten

Here are the Florida cities where you can use Boatsetter:

  • Coconut Grove
  • Daytona Beach
  • Florida Keys
  • Fort Walton
  • Islamorada
  • Jacksonville
  • Marathon
  • Orlando
  • Palm Bay
  • Panama City
  • St. Petersburg
  • Sarasota
  • South Beach
  • Tampa
  • Key Biscayne
  • Key Largo
  • Miami
  • Fort Lauderdale
  • West Palm Beach
  • Fort Myers
  • Tampa

Headed to South Florida for the summer? Try this local day trip suggested by Boatsetter: