About Us
A Platform Built by People Who Live and Work in This Industry
Boat.Rent wasn’t created by outsiders or tech investors. It was built by people who have spent years at sea, working directly in the charter industry, listening to both renters and boat owners describe the same issues over and over again.
High fees. Unpredictable pricing. Platforms that don’t understand the realities of running a boat.
We decided to build something better.
Our Story
Boat.Rent was founded by Jay Daunoras, a professional captain with seven years of hands-on experience in yachting and charter operations. Jay has seen the pressures owners face, the complexities of maintaining a vessel, the challenges in finding customers, and the frustrations clients feel when pricing isn’t clear.
Across the industry, the same complaints surfaced:
- High platform commissions that strip away margins
- Inflated rental prices that make boating inaccessible
- Complex, confusing booking processes
- Zero help when choosing the right boat
- Platforms built by people who don’t actually understand boating
Jay built Boat.Rent to solve these problems from the inside out.
Our Philosophy
Everything we do comes down to three core principles.
Fairness
Owners keep more of what they earn. Renters aren’t forced to pay inflated prices.
Transparency
Boat.Rent is free for renters and operators. Confirm availability, pricing and payment terms directly with the operator.
Built for the Industry
Real operational experience guides every decision. We understand the realities of chartering because we’ve lived them.
The Concierge Service (For Renters)
Choosing a boat can be overwhelming, especially on large platforms with thousands of listings. Most people don’t know where to begin — which boat type fits their group, what the local regulations are, what’s suitable for a family trip, or what’s realistic for their budget.
That’s why we created the Boat.Rent Concierge.
What the Concierge Does
- Talks directly with you about your trip
- Understands what you need — boat type, area, timeframe, crew requirements
- Shortlists the best options
- Helps you check availability and pricing with the operator
- Puts you in touch with the operator to book the right boat without the guesswork
This service is completely free and is already one of the most appreciated parts of the platform. Renters get expert guidance. Vendors get high-quality leads and better-fit customers.
The Charter Club (For Vendors)
Charter Club is for operators who want extra publicity: a premium listing plus direct links to their own website and social media.
Core listing and enquiry features are free.
What It Offers
- A premium listing plus direct links to your website, booking page and social media
- Featured placement on destination pages
Charter Club: $49/year for one vessel.
Charter Club + professional setup: $69, which is Charter Club plus our team professionally setting up the account and listing for you.
For fleet pricing, enquire at vendors@boat.rent.
What We’re Building
Boat.Rent helps customers discover charter options and connect directly with local operators. Operators confirm bookings and take payments under their own terms.
Boat.Rent aims to reshape the boating marketplace into something that works for everyone:
A platform where renters feel supported, not overwhelmed
A marketplace where owners keep more of their earnings
Free listing and enquiry features for renters and operators, with no booking commission
A customer experience that feels personal, supportive, and genuinely helpful
Tools that scale with owners as their fleet grows
A platform built by industry insiders, for the people who live and work on the water
A hybrid model that supports both DIY operators and fully managed listings
Our Commitment
Boat.Rent exists to make the boating industry more transparent, more accessible, and more sustainable. Our mission is simple:
- Better value for owners.
- Better experiences for renters.
- A fairer, more honest marketplace for everyone.
