To rent a boat, you have 3 possibilities :
- To contact a private individual who proposes you his boat for rent
- Find a rental company in your rental area and contact them directly
- To make you assist by a agency of hiring whose it is the trade
To understand and analyse the yacht charter agency business, we met Antoine Guyomar, manager of Océans Evasion, one of the main rental agencies in France.
What is the role of a rental agency?
Above all, we have an advisory role. Our first step consists in getting information on the type of holidays that the customer wants to spend: with children, in couple, with friends... This information allows us to advise a destination and a boat (size, monohull, catamaran...). From there, we have several possibilities of rental-owners and we accompany him in this choice. The contact with the customer often begins with an online form, but we quickly discuss over the phone to refine the search. It is a privileged relationship that we have with each of our clients to guide them as well as possible. Our nautical competence, our knowledge of the bases and destinations and above all our relationship with our service providers, allow us to propose a very precise and qualitative offer, perfectly adapted to the customer's request.
How do you choose the yachts to rent?
Unlike search engines that offer all the boats for rent in different places around the world, we rigorously select the charter companies we work with. A few figures to understand: There are about 14,000 yachts to rent in the world. At Evasion Oceans we offer 5,500. We have a system of 10 criteria to judge the lessors: history of the lessor, capacity to maintain its boats, number of employees on the base, reception, assistance in case of trouble, quality of check-in and check-out... Each lessor is rated. It's the assurance of good service.
How do you monitor quality?
At the agency we have 8 employees, 4 of whom are specialized in destinations. Each one visits at least once a year the destinations for which he is responsible. In the 10 years that the agency has existed, we have established a privileged relationship with each of our service providers.
In addition, we also carefully monitor customer returns. That's essential! The slightest alert through satisfaction questionnaires triggers a rigorous control on our part.
How do you see the Internet competition?
On the net, you can find portals that offer the entire global offer, or 14 000 sailing boats. There is no discernment between the offers. It is up to the customer to judge the good renter, to make contact with him, even to pay directly in the country of the hiring. This requires a lot of time for a result without guarantee.
But when you take a vacation, you like to know that everything is going to be okay. Especially when it comes to large sums of money. Going through an agency like ours provides a real guarantee. We guide the client in his choice of boat. Payment is made in full to the agency. It is always more reassuring to pay to a French bank than to send a transfer to a foreign and sometimes distant country..
In addition at Océans Evasion, we organize the transfer between the airport and the marina, we transmit the documents before departure (crew list, permits...), we manage the supply. Services that will be very appreciated to enjoy your holidays as soon as you arrive.
And as for price, are you more expensive than the competition?
As brokers, we offer the same rates as those posted by the lessor. If you go on the website of the lessor, you will find the same rates. Our remuneration is ensured by a commission between the lessor and us, thus transparent for the tenant.
What's new for the 2016 season?
For this spring, we have added a rental base in Thailand, in Koh Samui. It is a departure on the East coast which allows a cruise outside the traditional circuits of Thailand. Indeed, despite the beauty of the site, there are few sailing boats for rent. It's the assurance of being alone at anchor. Sailing is ideal from June to September, sheltered from the south-west monsoon.
These waters are known for the beauty of their seabed. A good destination for lovers of virgin and idyllic landscapes. We must take advantage of it quickly before it changes..
