Beneteau launches affordable boatshare club

Holding the mantle of the biggest boatbuilding group in the world in terms of production numbers, Beneteau says its new dealer-driven Beneteau Boat Club is a great step towards hassle-free “on demand” boating for anyone with a boat licence.

A great initiative designed to take boating to the people, the Beneteau Boat Club was launched in the European Spring of 2017 as the first single-brand boating club in France. 

Designed to allows boaters to enjoy Beneteau’s latest motorboat models without actually owning one, the Club offers a range of outboard-powered and open centre-console style boats including the Flyer 5.5, Flyer 6.6, Flyer 7.7 and the Flyer 8.8.

GLOBAL PLANS?
By offering a fleet of 60 motorboats across 15 bases in France and Spain this year, the Beneteau Boat Club is now the biggest European boat club. But the service may be extended to the Italian and British coasts and even other continents, Beneteau says.

The aim is to offer a service that will enable anyone to find the boat to suit their on-water desires and program, with the same level of service wherever they go.

Of course, boat-share clubs in Australia are nothing new and boat-equity businesses where you share in the purchase and running costs of a professionally managed boat are booming.

But this factory-backed Beneteau initiative is the biggest single-brand boating club we know of and, well, we expect it to spread internationally given Beneteau's aggressive global expansion plans.

Other brands of boats in Australia would do well to consider the model locally. A boating club with trailerboats parked in various coastal locations would certainly appeal to many occasional holiday boaters in Australia.

FREE AND EASY
When you join the Beneteau Boat Club, you have unrestricted access to a fleet of outstanding quality, the French yard enthuses.

To enjoy this new boating freedom, all you need to do is pay a membership fee of 1000 Euros — about AUD$1500 —  to enjoy à la carte boating on a credit system.

After booking the boat you would like at the site you have chosen, all you need to do is turn up on the day of the handover to enjoy your new turn-key boating freedom. This approach to boating is cheaper for its users than standard chartering.

ACTIVE COMMUNITY
In addition to unrestricted boating, Beneteau Boat Club is an ideal way to try out a new model with a view to a future buy. It is also a way of sharing your passion.

All through the year, members are invited to exclusive events such as theme nights, the first showing of Beneteau’s new models, boat shows, and boating rendezvous.

A CHOICE OF BOATS
Whether you feel like racing or cruising or seek just a day getaway or a week’s cruise, there is always a Beneteau to suit your agenda. No need to choose between quality, safety and professionalism.

The fleet available uses recent boats (less than three-years' old) that are said to be meticulously maintained. For now, these include the  Flyer 5.5, Flyer 6.6, Flyer 7.7 and the Flyer 8.8.

Before the keys are handed over, a member of the professional club network at the site prepares each boat.

Boaters are informed and advised on the area of their boating area, navigation and weather, as well as receiving personalised assistance about the handing of their chosen model.

EXPANSION PLANS
Created on the initiative of the Beneteau dealers, the Beneteau Boat Club hopes to extend quickly to other European countries and even other continents.

In keeping with the brand’s mission, this innovative service will offer new prospects to people who dream of a different kind of boating. It might also work for Aussies thinking of a European holiday with a little boating thrown in at various locations.

More at Beneteau Boating Club.