Borrow A Boat to launch in France following ‘busiest ever season’
Borrow A Boat, the boat rental and yacht charter marketplace, is expanding its global offering by launching into the French market. The announcement follows a series of successes for the business, including a recent crowdfund raise and what it describes as its ‘busiest ever sailing season’ with over 4,500 people taking to the water with the company so far this summer.
In the last 12 months, Borrow A Boat has reported accelerating growth and revenues, and has expanded into several new countries including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and has acquired three competitors, Helm, Barqo and Beds on Board.
The launch will be officially celebrated at the Cannes Yachting Festival (6-11 September), where the Borrow A Boat team will be attending (Palais Stand 058) along with specialist charter brokerage Helm, whose team will be showcasing a collection of charter yachts (on stand Broker 111).
Founder and CEO of Borrow A Boat, Matt Ovenden, says: “Along with our planned IPO, we felt a launch into France – one of the most popular boating destinations in the world – was the natural next step.
“We are looking forward to opening up our world-leading marketplace, with the widest choice of yachts worldwide, to a French audience, and what better way to announce this launch than in Cannes, at one of the world’s most prestigious yachting festivals.”
Borrow A Boat will also, once again, be playing a part in the Southampton International Boat Show (16-25 September) by taking over the Quarterdeck Bar. Located right above the pontoons and renamed the Borrow A Boat Quarterdeck Bar & Restaurant, it overlooks Europe’s largest purpose-built show marina.
In addition, the company, which has access to 45,000 boats in 65+ countries, will be offering the chance for one lucky attendee to win a yacht charter in Croatia on a Sun Odyssey 490 in May 2023.
“It has been an incredible year for Borrow A Boat. As the pioneer of peer-to-peer boat charter, we’re excited to continue our global expansion with even more country launches and exciting acquisitions, as well as planning our world first IPO – all with the aim of bringing choice to everyone, making the world of yacht charter accessible, affordable, flexible and inclusive for all,” adds Ovenden.
