Edouard Gorioux, Gründer von Click&Boat. Foto: Click&Boat
Electromobility on water is one of the most dynamic trends in the nautical industry. According to Statista, the global market volume for electric vessels will increase from around 8.4 to 15.6 billion U.S. dollars by 2030, corresponding to an annual growth rate of 13.2 percent. Electric boats are also enjoying increasing popularity in the leisure sector. This can also be seen in the current development of Click&Boat, the leading, European online boat rental platform, where, according to CEO Edouard Gorioux, there is a “real run on electric boats.”
Electric boats: environmentally friendly, quiet and maneuverable
“More and more electric boats are being offered for rent on our platform. This is particularly the case in the Mediterranean, where the infrastructure in the ports for charging electric boats is relatively good,” explains Gorioux, predicting, “I’m sure that in the next five years, around half of our motor boats will be replaced by electric boats.” He attributes this trend primarily to the increasing environmental awareness of vacationers. For example, travelers can not only reduce their own carbon footprint with an electric boat; they also do not cause any air pollution from gasoline. The vehicle is also very maneuverable and quiet due to the light and efficient hull shape, relaxed conversation on board is possible during the trip and the animals on the shore are not further disturbed. The battery of most electric boats is completely climate-neutral and 95 percent recyclable. The technology is now so advanced that it is also possible to accelerate well with electric propulsion and the battery lasts up to 20 hours for longer tours, depending on the model.
Record bookings in the first quarter
However, not only in electric boats, but also in the rental of conventional boats, Click&Boat can report an increase and is pleased to report three times more bookings in the first quarter of 2023 compared to 2022; a record in the history of the company, which was founded in 2014. In total, boat rental requests generated more than 100 million euros in the first quarter, with activity volumes up 54 percent. “Despite a still uncertain macroeconomic environment, we at Click&Boat see a strong increase in demand, which significantly exceeds initial forecasts. It highlights more than ever the need to escape the daily grind aboard a ship. In an environment of lower purchasing power, our users want even more, to take advantage of the best offers at the best price on our platform,” knows Edouard Gorioux.
In Germany, houseboats are particularly in demand; but the number of sailboat rentals has also doubled. “Another trend in Germany is catamaran cruising,” says the CEO. A catamaran is relatively comfortable and can comfortably accommodate more than eight people. A skipper flexibly steers the boat to the places the renter wants to visit. Currently, the Kornati Islands in Croatia, the Mecklenburg Lake District and the Ionian Islands in Greece are particularly in demand among German customers.
Trend “Vacation on the water” continues
The “vacation on the water” trend continues. Bookings at Click&Boat for the coming months are continuing to grow. Because flexible vacation far from crowds in nature is still in demand. In addition, boating vacations are becoming more and more environmentally friendly due to the increasing number of electric boats. Contrary to what many assume, the price is comparable to a stay in a hotel with the advantage of greater individuality. “Holidays on a boat are becoming more and more a vacation for everyone, not least because of the easy access as well as the even easier booking via our platform,” CEO Edouard Gorioux emphasizes. Click&Boat works with more than 70 percent of professional fleet operators in Europe and continues its international expansion.
About Click&Boat: The French Click&Boat group of companies is the European leader in boat rental. It was founded in 2014 by Jérémy Bismuth and Edouard Gorioux to offer boat owners and potential customers a risk-free rental experience on their internet platform. Meanwhile, three other companies from the nautical sector belong to Click&Boat: Nautal, Oceans Evasion and the German agency Scansail. www.clickandboat.com
Read this and other articles on the topic of electromobility & autonomous driving in the current eMove360° magazine in german language. Download it here for free or order the print version in the shop.
