From Idle to Iconic: The Last Frontier of the Sharing Economy Is on the Water
Last Updated on May 27, 2025 by Boatsetter Team
“Invest in a 401(k) and don’t buy a boat” is the kind of financial advice many Americans have grown up with. And while one part still holds true, the other is due for a rethink.
Boatsetter was launched over a decade ago with the mission of unlocking the value of one of the most underutilized recreational assets. The average boat sits idle more than 350 days a year. Meanwhile, the sharing economy was taking off. If people were renting out their homes, cars, and even luxury wardrobes, why not boats?
Fast forward to today, and tens of thousands of boat Owners have embraced this shift. In fact, boats offer the fastest payback period of any peer-to-peer marketplace asset. Consider the numbers: a $725,000 condo in Seattle rented on Airbnb for $262 per night has a Return on Asset Purchase (ROAP) of 2,767 days. Compare that to an 18-foot bowrider purchased for $35,455 and rented through Boatsetter at $449 for a four-hour trip. That boat’s ROAP? Just 79 days.
It’s not just theory; it’s happening in real time. In 2023, Angel, a 27-year-old first-time Owner in South Florida, maxed out his credit to invest in a yacht. Today, he’s earned more than $1 million on the platform, with a fully paid-off fleet and a thriving business. He’s one of more than 250 Boatsetter Owners who’ve earned six figures renting boats they love.
While the sharing economy is no longer new, on-the-water recreation remains one of the last frontiers. As the new CEO of Boatsetter, I believe we’re just beginning to tap into its full potential. Airbnb, Uber, and Turo changed how we move through the world, they solved practical problems. What we’re solving is different. Boatsetter isn’t just about logistics. It’s about the experience.
What excites me most Boatsetter; it empowers people to turn passion into possibility.
Take Seth, a Boatsetter Owner and Captain in the Florida Keys. In 2015, he acquired When and If, a historic 1939 schooner built for General Patton. Through Boatsetter, Seth now shares the sailing with Guests from around the world. Every booking helps fund the restoration of the schooner, which he plans to sail around the globe by 2030 fulfilling Patton’s original dream.
As we head into summer, a season synonymous with exploration and spontaneity, we’re seeing a shift in how people choose to travel and it’s happening closer to home than ever before.
According to our recent 2025 Summer Travel Trends report, Americans are increasingly embracing immersive experiences within driving distance, with boating emerging as a top choice for meaningful domestic getaways. Whether it’s discovering hidden sandbars off the Florida coast or sailing in the Pacific Northwest, travelers are looking to connect more deeply with places and communities.
Groups are booking last-minute on the water getaways thanks to product innovations like Instant Book and filters for Amenities enabling Guests to find ready-to-go trips with must-haves like coolers, speakers, even fan-favs like water toys.
We’re continuing to see a surge in searches for boats driven by major events and cultural celebrations. Searches around Black Yacht Week in Chicago are up 111%, and interest in Seattle’s Seafair Air Show has jumped 121% year-to-date. These spikes reflect a broader shift: event-driven travel is increasingly shaping when and where people get on the water.
A boat day might start as a fun diversion, but it often becomes something more: a hobby, a passion, even a lifestyle. You don’t need to own a fishing boat to fall in love with fishing. You don’t need to live on the coast to explore America’s waterways. You just need access. And that’s what Boatsetter provides.
We’re building more than a marketplace; we’re fueling a movement. One where people from all walks of life can explore, earn, connect, and create joy on the water. That’s the future of the sharing economy. And we’re proud to be at the helm.
Boatsetter empowers people to explore with confidence by showing them a world of possibility on the water. Rent a boat, list your boat, or become a Boatsetter captain today.
