Boat owners could soon rent out their craft with just the click of a button, as European online platform Click and Boat is made available in Malta next month.

“There is a huge demand for the renting of boats, but people just don’t want to go through the hassle of negotiating with third parties. The platform eliminates this,” Click and Boat partner Vincent Ruiz told this newspaper.

To get started, boat owners must register their boat and include a clear description of the vessel and the prices. The listing is then made available to all users and those interested would contact the owner directly to check whether the boat is available.

While the idea of renting out boats in such a way is new to most owners, the concept is very similar to that of popular accommodation platform Airbnb, Mr Ruiz said, adding that initial feedback had so far been very positive.

“The concept is exactly the same as Airbnb but instead of home owners looking to rent a room, it involves boat owners renting their jet-skis, ribs, speedboats, powerboats, day cruisers, cabin cruisers, sailing boats or motor yachts,” Mr Ruiz said.

It’s important that those hiring a boat, as well as the boat owners, rate each other at the end of the trip

Payment is made online through the platform’s secure payment services before the charter, and once a boat is chosen the owner and the hirer can use the website’s messaging system to discuss any further details.

While owners are urged to be honest in their listings and to give clear descriptions, Mr Ruiz said that the company would also carry out inspections to make sure that the boats listed were as advertised. “It’s important that those hiring a boat, as well as the boat owners, rate each other at the end of the trip. This would make managing bookings and choosing boats easier for both parties,” he said.

The company charges boat owners a fee of four per cent, which Mr Ruiz said was much cheaper than the 15 per cent rate normally charged by brokers.

Mr Ruiz said the platform has been running for three years, with the service offered in 15 countries. Choosing to launch in Malta was the natural next step. “I grew up here, surrounded by boats and I know first-hand that the process of renting a boat is stressful and involves a lot of negotiations. The platform eliminates all this.”