What GoBoat does

GoBoat is a Dutch online peer-to-peer boat rental marketplace that connects private boat owners with individuals seeking short-term boat hires across the Netherlands. Founded in Amsterdam in February 2014 and headquartered in Dronten (Ambachtshof 4, 8251 KV), the platform operates exclusively within the Dutch domestic market and serves two primary user segments: private boat owners seeking to monetize underutilized vessels (offsetting mooring, maintenance, and insurance costs) and renters (tourists, families, groups, corporate outings) wanting flexible access to sloepen, motorboats, sailboats, and yachts without ownership commitment. The platform is self-service via goboat.nl and supplemented by a Documentation Pack of rental agreements, an informational blog, and the RentalCheck identity verification service.

The underlying technology is a standard web-based two-sided marketplace: owners create listings with photos, descriptions, pricing, capacity, and captain requirements; renters search by boat type, group size, captain preference, and region. GoBoat facilitates introductions and provides standardized rental documentation and verification, but rental payments are settled directly between owner and renter (often via Dutch iDeal). Strategic integrations include RentalCheck for renter verification and DMW Bootverzekering for charter/rental insurance, supported by an ecosystem of maintenance partners (Stuurstand, Werf Amsterdam) and directory partnerships (Alle Jachthavens). No public API, mobile app, or AI-driven features are present in the disclosed product surface.

GoBoat's commercial model is primarily a one-time annual listing fee of €49.95 per boat advertisement, supplemented marginally by payment facilitation through iDeal (no disclosed percentage take on rental sums). The company operates with 1–10 employees as a private trade name under Wildschut Verzekeringen, with no external venture or private equity investment disclosed. The platform is currently offering free listings during a promotional revitalization period. There are no disclosed revenue figures, transaction volumes, or growth metrics in the source material.

Name

GoBoat

Legal name

Wildschut Verzekeringen

Website

https://goboat.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GoBoat is a Netherlands-only online peer-to-peer boat rental marketplace founded in 2014, connecting private boat owners with renters via a web platform with iDeal payments, RentalCheck identity verification, and a €49.95 annual listing fee, operated as a trade name under Wildschut Verzekeringen.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Boat Sharing Marketplace

NAICS

Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation (48311), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Yacht & Luxury Boat Charters (With Crew) (THAJALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bareboat Yacht Charters (Self-Skippered) (THAEAEAB), Luxury Yacht & Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (THAEABAF), Cruise Yacht Charters (Private Crewed) (THAEADAG)

Keywords

• Peer-to-peer boat rental
• Boat sharing marketplace
• Private boat listing
• Boat rental platform
• Recreational boat hire

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Boat Listing Fees: Boat owners pay a one-time fee of €49.95 to list their boat advertisement on the platform for one year. This is the primary revenue stream, with the platform offering a promotional free listing period during platform revitalization.
2. Transaction Facilitation Fees: GoBoat facilitates payment collection through iDeal. Payment processing fees may apply to transactions. The platform takes no percentage of the rental sum itself, but charges for platform usage and facilitation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

GoBoat operates a Netherlands-wide peer-to-peer boat rental marketplace where private boat owners and small operators list their vessels for an annual €49.95 listing fee, and renters browse, contact owners, pay through iDeal, and arrange in-person boat handovers. The platform supplements listings with RentalCheck identity verification, standardized rental/handover documentation, and DMW boat insurance options to support safe peer-to-peer transactions.

Product overview

GoBoat is a peer-to-peer boat rental marketplace platform operating in the Netherlands. The core product is the GoBoat Marketplace, which connects boat owners who want to rent out their vessels with individuals seeking boat rentals. The platform is supplemented by supporting modules including a Documentation Pack (rental agreements and forms), a Blog with informational content about sailing rules and destinations, and RentalCheck verification services. No API product or separate branded sub-products were identified.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GoBoat Marketplace Peer-to-peer boat rental marketplace that connects boat owners who want to rent out their vessels with individuals seeking boat rentals for leisure purposes, including listing management, search, direct owner-renter communication, identity verification via RentalCheck, and iDeal payment facilitation across the Netherlands.

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DMW (Bootverzekering)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDMW is a boat insurance provider with over 35 years of experience offering tailored boat insurance. GoBoat has a partnership with DMW to provide insurance options for boat owners who rent out their vessels. DMW offers specialized charter and rental insurance coverage, which is essential for boat owners participating in peer-to-peer rental.
• RentalCheckcoreTechnology or IntegrationRentalCheck is an identity verification service that protects boat owners against fraud and non-payment. It allows owners to verify renters' backgrounds before accepting bookings, providing a trust layer for the peer-to-peer rental marketplace.
• StuurstandminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStuurstand provides on-location boat maintenance and minor repairs. They serve boat owners listed on GoBoat by offering maintenance services wherever the boat is moored. They emphasize creative problem-solving and quality service.
• Werf AmsterdamminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWerf Amsterdam is described as the smallest service-oriented shipyard in Amsterdam, offering maintenance, repairs, and boat sustainability improvements. They serve boat owners in the Amsterdam area with both on-location and in-harbor services.
• Alle JachthavensminorOthersPartnership with Alle Jachthavens directory, which lists all marinas in the Netherlands. Provides additional resources for boat owners and renters about docking locations.
• WiFi For MeminorOthersPartner offering WiFi services for boats. Advertised on the GoBoat platform.
• Game Code DiscountminorOthersDiscount partner advertised on GoBoat platform. Cross-promotional relationship.
• Radio Control ExpertminorOthersRadio control expert partner advertised on GoBoat platform. Cross-promotional relationship.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Airbnb: While not a boat-specialist, Airbnb has expanded into 'Experiences' and increasingly adjacent categories including boats. The shared marketplace DNA and the brand GoBoat explicitly references ('Airbnb for boats') makes Airbnb the structural benchmark peer for the underlying C2C trust, payments, and listing playbook.

Direct peers

• BorrowABoat: UK-based boat rental marketplace covering the UK, Mediterranean, and other European regions. Comparable peer-to-peer model with similar focus on small recreational craft and self-skippered or optional-captain offerings.
• Nautal: Spain-based boat rental marketplace operating across the Mediterranean and broader Europe. Same peer-to-peer rental model with comparable customer segments (owners offsetting costs, renters seeking flexible access) and listing fee structure.
• Yachtico: European yacht and boat charter aggregator operating across multiple countries. Overlaps with GoBoat at the upper end of the inventory spectrum (yachts, motorboats) and competes for the same trans-European renter audience.
• Boataround: European boat rental platform headquartered in Austria, operating across multiple countries with both peer-to-peer and professional fleet supply. Direct competitive overlap in marketplace mechanics and European recreational boating customer base.
• Boatsetter: US-based peer-to-peer boat rental marketplace combining private owners with licensed captains. Directly comparable marketplace mechanics and dual supply model (bareboat + crewed), focused on North American boating markets.
• SamBoat: France-founded peer-to-peer boat rental marketplace operating across Europe; the closest direct competitor to GoBoat in model, customer base (boat owners and renters), and category (small recreational craft). SamBoat's multi-country footprint and scale make it the benchmark peer for GoBoat's ambitions.
• Click&Boat: European boat rental marketplace (originated in France) combining peer-to-peer listings with professional fleet operators. Operates across most of Europe including the Netherlands, directly competing for both supply (boat owners) and demand (renters).
• GetMyBoat: Global peer-to-peer boat rental marketplace with listings across 184 countries. Same core model as GoBoat (C2C + professional fleet) with broader geographic reach and a stronger mobile presence; comparable in product category though not in geographic focus.

Emerging players

• Barqo: Earlier-stage European boat rental marketplace. While smaller and less established than SamBoat or Click&Boat, the same C2C + professional supply model applies, making it a comparable peer for category dynamics even if not a direct scale competitor today.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GoBoatNL
• Facebookfacebook.com/GoboatNL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/5246854

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GoBoat