Launched at the Monaco yacht show is a system that could easily upset or alter the way in which superyacht charters are sold.
With the aim of having the same effect on the superyacht charter industry that easyJet had on the airline industry, Charterbid.com seeks to allow owners operators and central agents to list charters on a an auction style Web site where the winner buys the charter at a rate he is prepared to pay rather than what is offered.
The Web site has been created by Sean Ewing, an entrepreneur and founder of the UK’s first online Fund Supermarket that became part of the World’s largest online bank egg.com, with over 3 million customers.
After making several investments and divestments in the superyacht industry buying among other things the yacht painting company Pinmar he gained knowledge of the super yacht business market. It then became clear to him that there was a need to increase industry liquidity and align supply and demand, particularly in ‘off peak’ charter periods.
Following discussions with many yacht owners, the concept and business model was born. Ewing explains “The yachting industry needs to attract new customers. Charterbid.com will make yacht charter more affordable to a wider audience, globally. It’s all about matching demand and supply.”
For owners and their representatives, the listing and auction monitoring capabilities are intuitive and easy. Each yacht is stylishly showcased allowing prospective bidders to download brochures, read full specifications and peruse photographs and videos.
Whilst the overall concept may be reminiscent of Ebay with a yacht focus, the new site seeks to offer more. For the first time in yacht charter history, site visitors will have the opportunity to share their experiences, with each vessel being rated by a star system.
Registered members will be able to access the reviews submitted by previous guests through interviews providing greater transparency, feedback and experiences.