Charter startup Floatist expands into superyacht sector
Fleet management software company Floatist has introduced a new feature called ‘Extras’ to its platform. This addition enhances the platform’s functionality as it expands into the superyacht sector, following market research and positive feedback from yacht crew and captains at the Palma International Boat Show in April 2024.
Founded in 2022, Floatist’s SaaS fleet management software has gone from strength to strength operationally, introducing new team members and expanding into new territories. Designed to solve operational challenges that fleet operators and yacht charter companies face, the Floatist platform incorporates elements such as a self-check-in and check-out systems for clients and customers as well as a tool for scheduling and tracking boat maintenance.
Introducing ‘Extras’
Many charter clients make last-minute requests or need additional items ahead of time, such as snorkels and extra towels. In response, Floatist has introduced ‘Extras’ into the app. This feature allows clients to request various items, from paddleboards to airport transfers, weeks in advance. This ensures that all needs are met ahead of time and helps charter companies easily track costs.
Expanding into the superyacht market
According to Floatist, while the yachting industry is slowly but surely embracing digitalisation, many operational superyachts still rely on outdated methods to manage charters and track client requests, dates, and costs. At the Palma International Boat Show, Floatist conducted market research with superyacht crew and found that the industry is calling for improved technological processes that can save precious time onboard.
Floatist co-founder, Cindy Allis, says: “The majority of superyacht engineers still rely on spreadsheets or outdated software, which are difficult to use and collaborate on. When new or temporary crew members join, they often find inherited spreadsheets unclear and challenging to navigate. We’ve confirmed that our solution is highly applicable to larger yachts, and we already have the first users in this segment successfully using Floatist.”
Floatist says it is addressing this market gap by offering a user friendly, modern, and fast mobile app. Unlike other companies that require crew to set up the software themselves, Floatist handles the entire setup process. This difference is crucial, as it ensures the software is ready to use immediately, without the common barrier of a time-consuming setup.
