'Airbnb Of Boats' Offers Rentals On Lake Lanier This Summer

CUMMING, Ga. — If you have ever wanted to go boating on Lake Lanier but don't have a boat, that's no longer a problem thanks to GetMyBoat, which is being called the "AirBnB of Boats."

Head of Marketing at GetMyBoat Val Streif said the company has plenty of boats to rent on Lake Lanier, as well as fishing charters and other experiences. He said they also have boat rentals all over Georgia to check out.

"We want to make it easier for everyone to get out on the water, and provide a way for Lake Lanier boat owners to offset their costs when they aren’t using their watercraft," Streif said. "We also want to help marinas and boat clubs reach more potential customers, i.e. millennials, who may not want to sign up for a seasonal membership but rather just rent what they want when they want it."

GetMyBoat is the world’s largest marketplace for boat rentals and all types of bookable experiences on the water, he said.

"Whether it is a catamaran in California or a kayak in Croatia, we have over 130,000 types of water experiences in 184 countries that can all be booked on the go right from your phone," Streif said.

The company began when serial entrepreneurs and co-founders Sascha Mornell and Rafael Collado were out on the water and wondered how more people could gain access to boating experiences for less.

A few years later and with the emergence of the sharing economy, Mornell and Collado brought GetMyBoat to life.

Originally founded as a boat rental marketplace, GetMyBoat has grown to offer every type of on-the-water experience – from whale watching tours and eco-kayaking trips to houseboat rentals and private sailing lessons, Streif said.

"Our goal is to help people of every age, background and budget to experience everything the water has to offer in a fun, safe way," Streif said. "We aim to enrich lives with meaningful experiences and joy. Our mascot, Joy the Dolphin, embodies the playfulness and fun that being near and on the water offers. Joy also represents our focus on being a champion to protect and defend the marine environment."

With boats and experiences in over 9,300 cities around the world, GetMyBoat has some hot spots that are dependent on the time of year and some that are hot year round. In the U.S., those cities include Miami, San Diego, Austin, Chicago and Seattle. Internationally, the company's global hot spots include Mexico, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain, Italy, and the entire Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Using GetMyBoat is simple, Streif said.

From a renters side, users can download the app available for iOS and Android or go to their website, search the area they are looking to visit, sort boats and experiences by type, price, and guest count, he said.

Once you find a boat or experience you would like to book you can select the dates and pay for the rental. Or you can send the owner an inquiry to answer any outstanding questions you might have, Streif said.

From the owner’s side, boats are listed by setting availability, prices, requirements, photos, videos, and promotions. Once a guest books the boat, the owner has the opportunity to vet the guest, approve or create a custom quote for each guest, all while facilitating the payment for the booking.