Are you looking to build a boat rental app for your business? If yes, then read this blog. The interest of people in adventure and recreational sports is growing rapidly. Renting a boat or a yacht is one of many recreational activities. 

In the past few years, there has been a significant increase in demand for boat rentals. The majority of people book a boat that includes a driver or, if they’re feeling adventurous, choose the self-ride option. For tech-savvy people, boat and yacht rental apps are also available. 

However, it can be time-consuming and difficult to book boats by phone or while on the water. Therefore, Boat-renting apps are the perfect solution to meet the increasing expectations of users. Various boat rental companies often collaborate with or link up with these apps in order to reach a larger customer base.

These services are becoming increasingly popular in coastal areas. As a result, many businesses are now looking to create a boat rental app in Dubai. Thus, this blog will cover all aspects of developing a boat-renting app, including features, cost, and more.

So let’s begin. 

What is a Boat Rental App?

Boat rental apps are mobile applications that make it easier for users to rent watercraft such as yachts, boats, and other vessels. They also allow them to communicate with potential renters. Boat owners can use the app to list their watercraft, set rental conditions, share details, and communicate with potential tenants.

Renters, on the other hand, can browse listings, view specifications, compare prices, and make reservations through the app. These platforms simplify the boat rental process. They allow both owners and users to benefit from the service.

Current Market Stats of Boat Rental App

Source: Statista

• The Boat Rental Market is estimated to be worth USD 18.45 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 29,67 billion by 2029. This represents a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 6.12 percent during the forecast period.
• In 2022, the market size for fishing boat charters in the United States was 364.9 million U.S. Dollars. Forecasts predict that the market will grow by 1.9 percent to 371.9 million U.S. dollars in 2023.
• The first quarter of 2019 saw revenues of approximately three million euros, but the third quarter was over eight million euros.
• Recreational boating, which is enjoyed by more than 87 million Americans, is a popular activity.

How Does A Boat Rental App Work?

Here is the working mechanism of a boat rental app. So let’s see how users can operate it: 

1. Download the App:

Start by downloading the boat rental app from your app store and installing it on your smartphone.       

2. Sign up:

Launch the app and create an account. Please enter your basic information, such as name, email address, and password.

3. Search for Boats:

Use the search function of the app to locate available boats near your location. You can filter the results by factors such as boat type, rental dates, and price range.

4. Browse Listings:

Find the boats that best match your preferences. Each listing contains photos, descriptions, and rental information.

5. Select a Boat:

Tap on a boat to view more information. Check availability for the dates you want to rent and read the terms of the owner.

6. Reserve the Boat:

Once you are satisfied with your boat and its terms, make a booking. Select your dates for rental, check the total price, and confirm your booking.

7. Payment:

This app will walk you through a secure payment process. You may need to enter payment information or use an existing payment method.

8. Boat Pickup:

Follow the instructions in the app on the day of the reservation to meet the owner at the designated place. Get the paperwork done, learn about the boat, and have fun on your boating trip.

Steps to Build a Boat Rental App 

In this section, we will discuss the step-by-step process to build a boat rental app that is approved by an iOS app development company. So let’s have a look:  

1. Idea and Conceptualization

Define your app’s purpose and features. Determine your target audience and the types of boats that you will offer. Also, identify any unique selling features that will help your app stand out from your competitors.

2. Do Market Research

You should also research your competitors and potential customers. Understanding their pain points and expectations will help you to better understand the preferences of your customers. This will allow you to improve your app’s user experience and features.

3. Conduct Feature Planning 

Create a list of the features that your app needs based on your research. This might include boat listings, user registration/authentication, booking and payment processing, real-time availability tracking, customer reviews, notifications, and a user-friendly interface.

4. Designing a User Interface

The user interface of the peer-to-peer boat rental app UAE should be designed with an eye toward intuitive navigation, a clear presentation of information, and a pleasing visual style. Design the app with a responsive layout to make sure it works on different devices and screen sizes.

5. Backend Development

The backend will be responsible for data storage, authentication of users, booking management, and communication with external services. So you should hire an on-demand app development services provider who can select a programming language, framework, and database that is suitable for the backend of your app.

6. Frontend Development

Create the front end, which is where the users will interact with your features. Use the appropriate technologies to create a responsive and user-friendly interface. You can also use react native app development technology and focus on delivering a seamless experience.

7. App Testing

Test your app thoroughly to find and fix bugs, glitches, or usability problems. Test the app’s functionality, usability, and security to make sure it is secure and robust.

8. Final Launch

After testing, you can deploy your app in a hosting environment. It can be downloaded from app stores like Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or accessed via web browsers. To attract users, promote the launch via various marketing channels.

Key Features to Build a Boat Rental App

The boat-renting application will have 3 main entities, each with its own set of features. Users, Boat owners, and admins are the three entities. Each panel will be discussed below. 

1. Boat Charter User Panel

Register & Login

Your app should allow users to create an account and register easily. Better to offer a social login option on your app.

Selecting the Boat Type

The users can choose the type of boat they want to use in this section. The app for boat rental in UAE will have different types of boats, including yachts, sailboats, etc.

Schedule Booking

They can then get the basic information and book the boat in an easy way.

Manage Bookings

With a single click, users can check previous bookings and confirmed bookings as well as the charted time period.

Price Calculator

This feature will calculate the cost based on the time and distance to be rented. Users can determine subsequent KM charges, and calculate the fare charges.

Payments and Receipts

The app must have digital payment systems so that users can pay in advance and without hassle. So, if you want to integrate a payment gateway into your app, then you must hire mobile app developers.

Notifications & Alerts

Users can receive push notifications to learn about their booking status and new offers, discounts, and reminders.

2. Boat/Yacht Owner’s Panel Features

Register & Login

Boat owners should be able to log in to the boat slip rental app Oman just as easily as users. You can verify boat owners via OTP or email.

Boat Listing

Boat owners can list the boats they wish to rent to customers. The boat owner can upload images of their interior and exterior along with basic information about the boat.

Requests accepted or rejected

The owner will confirm/accept or reject the request based on the type and number of requests.

Discounts/offers

Boat owners can also offer discounts that will entice users. Users will receive discounts on their rental requests when they use them.

3. Admin Panel Features

Dashboard

The dashboard would allow the admin to check an overview of the entire custom boat rental app development.

Customer Management

This section will be used to maintain the users of the boat rental android application UAE and their feedback, complaints, queries, etc. This section will maintain all the information.

Manage Payments

This section will manage all the payment mechanisms. It includes payment issues, gateways, and revenue. So,

Reporting and Analytics

Reports and analytics can be used to create charts or graphs that show the data in real-time, such as which boats have been booked most often, what season has seen the most bookings, etc You can add these reporting & analytics features when you develop boat rental app Dubai. 

Advanced Features of A Boat Rental App

Business owners can boost the popularity of boat rental apps by adding some advanced features by taking assistance from a flutter app development company. Here are some advanced features that can help boat rental businesses provide their customers with the best Boat Charter App.

1. Integrate Nautical Maps

It allows the captain to see the seafloor and shoreline configuration, as well as other information, such as anchorages, water depths, and unsafe locations. This helps them sail the boat more smoothly. This integration of nautical maps allows boat users to easily access the same information, which enhances the boat rental experience.

2. Setup of the Operational Zone

These zones are designed to show the different services offered by boats in various areas or coastal regions. The boat rental customers can choose their next destination by using these services.

3. Interactive Statistics

These interactive statistics can help you to build a USP in a highly competitive market. Statistics such as number of riders per ride, length covered, payment received, and many others will intrigue users and provide more insight into the boat rental industry.

4. Multi-social Signup Options

Boat Rental Apps should offer easy signup options such as Google, Facebook, or Instagram for customers to avoid friction during the signup process.

5. Push Notifications

Push notifications are a powerful tool for increasing customer engagement. It can be used by the leading Boat rental application to send users timely updates, reminders, and alerts.

Top 5 Boat Rental Apps for 2023 

1. Boatsetter

Boatsetter connects individuals seeking to rent boats with boat owners. The platform offers a variety of boats, including motorboats and sailboats for different recreational activities, such as water sports, fishing, cruising, or cruising. Boat owners are able to list their boats, and set their own rental conditions, pricing, and availability.

2. Ahoy

The term “Ahoy”, which is often used to greet sailors or call attention to the water, is commonly used. The term is often used in maritime culture to help sailors communicate over distances. “Ahoy”, in the context of boating, is a friendly, traditional way to attract someone’s interest or initiate communication between boats. So, if you are planning to build a boat rental app like Ahoy, then a dedicated developer for hire will be the best option. 

3. GetMyBoat

GetMyBoat, a global platform for boat and watercraft rental, is similar to Airbnb. This is one of the best boat rental apps that links boat owners and renters. Users can browse, compare, book, and compare a variety of watercraft from kayaks to yachts. 

4. Click & Boat

Click & Boat connects boat rentals and boat owners for peer-to-peer boat rental. Boat owners can list their boats, set rental terms, and display photos and details. Renters can browse listings, contact owners, and book boats according to their preferences.

5. Turo Boat

Turo Boat is a Turo extension, which allows people to rent their vehicles to others, including boats. A boat rental app like turo is a marketplace where boat owners can rent out their watercraft. Renters have a wide selection of boats for different aquatic activities.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Boat Rental App? 

You may be a new startup or entrepreneur and wonder “How much will an on-demand application cost?” It is one of the questions that are asked most frequently. This question is not easy to answer, because app development includes many types of elements. 

These can all have a huge impact on app development costs. When there are different types of customers involved, it can be difficult to determine a standard price.

The average cost to develop a mobile app is heavily influenced by a variety of factors, including features and functionality, the operating platform chosen, complexity, user interface/UX design, and app development.

App development costs for a simple app will be around  $8,000-$15000, and it takes around six months to build a boat rental app. If you want to build a fully-fledged app with modern functionality, the cost of app development will range from $18,000 up to $25,000 and it could take nine months or more to create an application.  

However, it would be best to book a free consultation with an expert like boat rental app development cost UAE to obtain a more accurate cost for a boat reservation app.

Conclusion 

In today’s world, it is all about personalized and faster services. Launching an app allows you to provide everything that people want on their mobile devices. Businesses, regardless of their niches, invest in mobile app development because it allows them to increase their reach, improve customer service, and create a stronger brand.  

It is the same for boat rentals. Why are you still lagging behind your competitors who are using boat/yacht rental apps to attract more customers? Consult an iOS or Android app development company such as Dev Technosys UAE to get your app created quickly.

FAQ

1. What Are The Advantages Of Developing A Boat Rental App?

The benefits of building a boat rental app include easy booking, real-time availability updates, safe payment processing, and improved user-owner communication. It expands the audience for customers, improves user experience, streamlines processes, and offers data-driven insights. The entire boat rental procedure is made simpler by this online platform, which is advantageous for both clients and company owners. 

2. How Much Does it Cost to Hire an App Developer?

The cost to hire an app developer will be anywhere from $15 to $25 or more per hour, depending on their expertise and location. The overall project cost will vary based on the complexity and features of the app you want to develop.

3. How Much Does it Cost to Maintain an App?

The cost to maintain an app varies based on factors like updates, bug fixes, server expenses, and feature additions. It can range from 15% to 20% of the app’s initial development cost per year. More complex apps might incur higher ongoing expenses. 

4. How to Monetize an App for Boat Rental?

Monetize a boat rental app through commission fees on each booking, premium listing charges for boat owners, subscription models for advanced features, in-app advertisements, or offering value-added services like guided tours and equipment rentals for a share of the revenue. You can get assistance from a boat rental app development company in UAE if you want to build a boat rental app and want to monetize it.