Borrow a Boat, one of the world’s leading yacht charter marketplaces, now accepts crypto currencies for bookings. Jenny Southan reports

Following the introduction of crypto payments by premium bespoke charter broker HELM (acquired by the Borrow a Boat group in June 2021), customers booking through Borrow a Boat are now able to pay for their yacht charter by transferring the relevant amount of crypto currency to Borrow a Boat’s “Kraken Business Wallet” (public ID: AA21 N84G OENQ CUHA).

Matt Ovenden, CEO and founder of Borrow a Boat says: “Following HELM’s successful introduction of crypto payments last year, we feel the time is right to bring this modern, easy and convenient payment method across our group.

“Whilst payment using crypto currency is still in the minority, having this capability allows us to open up the world of yacht charter to a wider – and in many cases younger – client base, who are keen to dip their toes into the world of boating.

“And for those who prefer to book their charter to the last minute, the speed of crypto payments enables customers to confirm a booking, transfer funds securely and instantly and within 24 hours.”

Ovenden adds: “The introduction and application of new technologies is continually helping us revolutionise the charter industry and enabling this payment method helps us to continue on our mission to create a more accessible, flexible and inclusive boating industry for all.”

HELM founder Peter Harrison says: “Access to crypto currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum provide our clients with a speedy, secure and seamless service. Now that there are several established exchanges, getting and using coins is incredibly easy and convenient.”

The Borrow A Boat Group is the fastest-growing boat charter group in the UK, consisting of several brands and platforms including: the Borrow A Boat platform: an open boating platform for boats of all sorts for charter, with over 45,000 listings; Helm – a curated marketplace of premium charter holiday;, and Barqo – the leading Dutch boating marketplace.

Borrow A Boat Group is expanding on multiple fronts and in multiple countries, with an active presence in: UK, US, The Caribbean, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, the Mediterranean, France and South East Asia.

Borrow A Boat facilitates boat rental and sailing yachts from £1,000 per week and catamarans from approximately £10,000 per week.

Boats of all types are available for rental, including sailboats, motorboats, riverboats, RIBs, catamarans, gulets, superyachts and luxury yacht charters. Customers can choose a boat with or without a skipper, depending on their sailing experience.

All boats meet the stringent safety and insurance codes, standards, and regulations for yacht chartering in their respective location.

Borrow a Boat says it is “revolutionising” the marketplace by digitising the maturing global charter market, set to be worth US$30 billion by 2027. The company has clear objectives to make boating more accessible, affordable, flexible and inclusive worldwide.