Sailbox
Sailbox is a Swiss non-profit boat-sharing organization under Swiss Sailing that operates 40 identical mOcean26 yachts across 13 Swiss lakes, selling tiered annual memberships (CREW 90 to SKIPPER 75 at 990 CHF) plus hourly usage, guided trips, sailing courses and corporate events to individual enthusiasts, club members and B2B clients in Switzerland.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Sailbox does
Sailbox is a Swiss non-profit boat-sharing organization operating under the umbrella of Swiss Sailing (Fédération Suisse de Voile). It runs a fleet of 40 identical, purpose-built mOcean26 sailing yachts — a 7.97m electric-assisted daysailer designed for Sailbox and manufactured by SPEEDWAVE shipyard — distributed across 13 Swiss lake locations including Zürichsee, Lake Constance, Lake Thun, Lake Neuchâtel, Lake Major, Lake Sils, and Lake Geneva. Members pay an annual subscription across three SKIPPER tiers (BASIC at 300 CHF, 50 at 600 CHF, 75 at 990 CHF), plus a CREW tier (90 CHF) for non-skippers participating in guided trips. SKIPPER 50 is positioned as profitable for members from roughly four outings per year, with hourly usage rates scaled by membership tier. A separate CREW track is monetised through guided sailing events (Sundowner, Senior Sailing, Women Sailing, Moonshiner) and cross-fleet access (Sailbox PLUS at 100 CHF/year to use SailCom boats). The platform supports 24/7 self-service online booking, GPS-tracked yachts, digital e-logbooks, and a damage reporting system with capped 1,000 CHF liability per incident.
The business operates through a hybrid go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer digital booking, a network of seven partner sailing schools that train sailors on the mOcean26, event-driven community marketing (Sailbox Cup regatta, Season Kickoffs, SailChat, two MeetUp groups), and a B2B corporate events channel (up to 30 guests on Zürichsee at approximately 1,000 CHF per yacht for up to 5 guests). Complementary revenue streams include sailing courses delivered via partners (100-130 CHF/hour), training programs covering regatta techniques and gennaker handling, and crew-matching via the TENDER platform. Recent ecosystem expansion includes the Mobox motorboat sharing sub-brand at Lake Zurich, an HZB partnership adding vintage 1940s sailing yachts to the fleet, and an ASVZ academic sports partnership for student and university access.
Sailbox SA is registered in Zurich, Switzerland (CHE-114.087.516) as a public utility company (société d'utilité publique). The core operating team comprises seven named individuals led by co-founder and CEO Oli Lüthold, with Denise Coviello on finance, Rolf Frey as fleet chief, and regional service leads across Romandie and Eastern Switzerland. No venture capital, private equity, or public funding is disclosed; capital structure reflects its non-profit parent-organisation status under Swiss Sailing, with revenue funded by memberships, usage fees, events, and training. No revenue figures are publicly disclosed and no app is offered — the platform is web-based.
Sailbox firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sailbox
- Legal name
- Sailbox SA
- Website
- https://sailbox.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Sailbox is a Swiss non-profit boat-sharing organization under Swiss Sailing that operates 40 identical mOcean26 yachts across 13 Swiss lakes, selling tiered annual memberships (CREW 90 to SKIPPER 75 at 990 CHF) plus hourly usage, guided trips, sailing courses and corporate events to individual enthusiasts, club members and B2B clients in Switzerland.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sailbox industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Boat Sharing Services
- NAICS
- Marinas (71393)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Yacht & Luxury Boat Charters (With Crew) (THAJALAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Cabin Charters & Shared Yacht Trips (THAEADAH)
Keywords
Where Sailbox is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sailbox business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Annual Membership Subscriptions: Three tiers of annual membership fees: CREW (90 CHF) for guided trips participation, SKIPPER BASIC (300 CHF), SKIPPER 50 (600 CHF), SKIPPER 75 (990 CHF). Higher tiers reduce hourly sailing rates.
- Hourly Yacht Usage Fees: Hourly rates charged for yacht usage, varying by location and day of week. For SKIPPER 50 members, rates range from 56–76 CHF for 2 hours. Base rates depend on membership tier.
- Sailing Training & Courses: Revenue from partner sailing school courses, intensive sailing courses (including permit D exam), theory and practical training. Course costs 100–130 CHF/hour.
- Corporate Events: Corporate sailing events for incentives. Priced at approximately 1,000 CHF per yacht for up to 5 guests. Organised with professional skipper per yacht.
- SailCom Cross-Fleet Access: Sailbox SKIPPER members can access SailCom fleet for an additional 100 CHF annual fee without additional deposit or registration fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | CREW membership - Better Together |
| Subscription | Annual | SKIPPER BASIC - Base hourly rate |
| Subscription | Annual | SKIPPER 50 - Recommended, profitable from 4 outings/year |
| Subscription | Annual | SKIPPER 75 - Maximum discount |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Season Starter guided trips |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Senior Sailing guided trips |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Vela Gidegna guided sailing in Engadin |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Corporate sailing events |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Sailing courses and training |
| Subscription | Annual | Sailbox PLUS - SailCom cross-fleet access |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Sailbox product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sailbox operates a self-service boat sharing platform in Switzerland, allowing members to independently book and operate a uniform fleet of 40 mOcean26 sailing yachts across 13 Swiss lakes. Annual memberships (SKIPPER tiers) provide tiered access with discounted hourly rates, while CREW memberships enable participation in guided trips. Additional services include sailing courses, corporate events, and motorboat sharing via Mobox.
Product overview
Sailbox is a Swiss nonprofit boat-sharing organization operated by Swiss Sailing, offering simple sailing on 40 identical mOcean26 yachts across 13 lakes in Switzerland. The core offering is the boatsharing platform where SKIPPER members self-operate yachts after a single introduction session, while CREW members participate in guided group sails. Supporting services include sailing training and licensing courses, corporate team-building events, organized Guided Trips, the annual Sailbox Cup regatta, and a crew-matching platform (TENDER). A new motorboat sharing service called Mobox operates at Lake Zurich.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Mobox: Motorboat sharing service operated as a partner organization, offering SP7 motorboat sharing at selected locations including Kilchberg on Lake Zurich.
Products and services
- Boatsharing (Sailbox Sharing) Self-service sailboat sharing allowing members to independently book and operate mOcean yachts at 13 Swiss lakes. Members reserve online 24/7, requiring only an introduction session to operate the fleet.
- mOcean26 Yacht
Quantifiable outcome
- SKIPPER 50 membership pays off from approximately 4 outings per year
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Sailbox
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Sailbox technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Sailbox partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Swiss SailingcoreSailbox is a non-profit organization of Swiss Sailing (Fédération Suisse de Voile), the national sailing federation. This institutional relationship provides brand credibility, governance oversight, and integration with the Swiss sailing club ecosystem.
- SailComcoreCross-fleet partnership allowing Sailbox SKIPPER members to access SailCom yachts for 100 CHF/year additional fee, and vice versa. Members of one organization can use the other's fleet without additional deposit or registration fee. Sailbox PLUS subscription provides Sailbox members access to SailCom.
- HZB (Historischer Zentraler Bootsharing)coreStrategic partnership enabling Sailbox SKIPPER members to also reserve and sail the four HZB vintage sailing yachts, with specific INTROs required. Announced at Season Kickoff 2026 event.
- MoboxminorMobox offers motorboat boat sharing (SP7) at Zürichsee. Sailbox SKIPPER members receive 100 CHF reduction on annual CAPTAIN membership, existing liability reduction applies, and can top up Sailbox deposit to Mobox deposit.
- NAUTIKA (Romanshorn)corePartner sailing school on Lake Constance at Romanshorn. Trains sailors on mOcean26 and refers graduates to Sailbox SKIPPER membership.
- Bootsfahrschule BSB (Kreuzlingen)corePartner sailing school on Lake Constance at Kreuzlingen. Trains sailors on mOcean26 and refers graduates to Sailbox SKIPPER membership.
- École de voile du lac de MoratcorePartner sailing school on Lake Murten. Trains sailors on mOcean26 and refers graduates to Sailbox SKIPPER membership.
- Sail & Sports (Engadin)corePartner sailing school in Engadine on Lake Sils. Trains sailors on mOcean26 and refers graduates to Sailbox SKIPPER membership. Also offers intensive sailing license D courses.
- Fischers Segelschule (Lucerne)corePartner sailing school on Lake Lucerne (Four Cantons). Trains sailors on mOcean26 and refers graduates to Sailbox SKIPPER membership.
- LZ Lac d'Uri (Sailcoaching, Sisikon)corePerformance sailing coaching center on Lake Uri at Sisikon. Trains sailors on mOcean26 and refers graduates to Sailbox SKIPPER membership.
- sms zürichsee (Enge, Zürichsee)coreTraining center on Lake Zürich at Enge. Trains sailors on mOcean26 and refers graduates to Sailbox SKIPPER membership.
- Segel- & Yachtclub Herrliberg (SYH)coreHost venue for annual Sailbox Cup regatta. Provides regatta infrastructure, clubhouse, and catering. Key co-organiser of flagship community event.
- Zürcher Segel Club (ZSC)minorPartner sailing club providing regatta infrastructure, starting vessel, and RoboBuoys for Sailbox Cup events.
- SV ErlenbachminorPartner club providing motorboat for shuttling at Sailbox Cup events.
- AXA (Insurance)minorInsurance partner mentioned on Sailbox website footer.
- Helly HansenminorBrand partner mentioned on Sailbox website. Outdoor clothing brand for sailing apparel.
- Cruising ClubminorPartner sailing club mentioned on Sailbox website.
- ASVZ (Academic Sports Association Zurich)minorAcademic sports association with special membership conditions for Sailbox. ASVZ members register directly through the ASVZ online portal.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Sailbox competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GetMyBoat: Global peer-to-peer boat rental marketplace. Most comparable to Sailbox as a self-service boat-sharing platform, though operating a marketplace model with private boat owners rather than a uniform proprietary fleet.
- Sailogy: Italy-based yacht charter platform with strong European sailing market presence. Comparable in sailing-focused boat rental, though oriented toward multi-day charter bookings.
- Borrow A Boat: UK-based boat rental marketplace operating across European waterways. Comparable direct-to-consumer booking platform with growing emphasis on inland and lake boating, relevant to Sailbox's lake-centric model.
- Click&Boat: European boat rental platform (acquired SamBoat) operating across Mediterranean and inland waterways. Direct competitor in boat-sharing model with similar SaaS-style booking and fleet access, though primarily in charter format.
- Boatsetter: US peer-to-peer boat rental marketplace with optional captained experiences. Comparable self-service booking model and membership style; serves as North American analogue to Sailbox.
- Nautal: Barcelona-based boat rental platform with strong European Mediterranean coverage. Similar online booking model and curated fleet approach; comparable on technology and customer experience side.
- SamBoat: French boat rental platform (now part of Click&Boat group) with strong European lake and coastal presence. Comparable marketplace-based self-service boat sharing with European focus.
- Zizoo: European boat rental marketplace focused on yacht charters. Comparable in online booking and curated fleet model; differs in charter-length bookings versus Sailbox's hourly/daily self-service.
- SailCom: Swiss sailing boat-sharing cooperative with cross-fleet partnership with Sailbox (Sailbox PLUS offering). Most direct Swiss peer operating similar membership-based shared yacht access model.
Emerging players
- Mobox: Swiss motorboat sharing service at Lake Zurich, operated as partner sub-brand of Sailbox. Complementary offering (motorboats vs. sailing yachts) sharing the same membership ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sailbox social profiles
Digital presenceSailbox financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sailbox leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Sailbox funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sailbox M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sailbox
What does Sailbox do?
Sailbox operates a self-service boat sharing platform in Switzerland, allowing members to independently book and operate a uniform fleet of 40 mOcean26 sailing yachts across 13 Swiss lakes. Annual memberships (SKIPPER tiers) provide tiered access with discounted hourly rates, while CREW memberships enable participation in guided trips. Additional services include sailing courses, corporate events, and motorboat sharing via Mobox.
Is Sailbox a public or private company?
Sailbox is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Sailbox founded?
Sailbox was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Sailbox based?
Sailbox is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Sailbox make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Annual Membership Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are hourly Yacht Usage Fees, sailing Training & Courses, corporate Events and sailCom Cross-Fleet Access.
Who are Sailbox's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GetMyBoat, Sailogy, Borrow A Boat, Click&Boat, Boatsetter, Nautal, SamBoat, Zizoo and SailCom. Mobox is listed as an emerging player.
Does Sailbox have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sailbox.
What industry is Sailbox in?
Sailbox's product category is Boat Sharing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJALAE, Private Yacht & Luxury Boat Charters (With Crew), with a secondary code of THAEADAH, Cabin Charters & Shared Yacht Trips. Its NAICS code is 71393 and its SIC code is 7997.