- 45% of Brits put off boating by perceived high cost.
- 62% of Brits planning a B&B or hotel staycation this summer, despite lack of availability.
- Average cost of hiring a luxury yacht with crew for a weekend for a family of 4 thought to be £19,900.
Thanks to Below Deck and headlines about celebrities’ $500 million yachts, boating and sailing trips are often associated with unattainable luxury and extravagance.
Research by Borrow A Boat shows 45% Brits are put off boating by the perceived expense(1), but with traditional staycation spots being booked up at an alarming pace and accommodation prices rising by an average of 35% compared to last summer(2), it’s time for the 62% of Brits planning a B&B or hotel staycation this summer to consider alternative options, such as boating, for their staycations.
Matt Ovenden, CEO of Borrow A Boat says: “Boating is the ultimate activity for escaping the crowds – it allows you to holiday with your bubble and, contrary to popular belief, enjoying Britain’s scenic coasts and waterways is more affordable than you’d think.
“In light of the popularity of reality shows showing the super-rich enjoying life on superyachts, we weren’t surprised that respondents thought the average cost of hiring a luxury yacht with crew for a weekend for a family of four in the UK was over £19,000. Though Brits may be surprised to hear that, in fact, you can charter a yacht for as little as £1,000 for the week.
“At Borrow A Boat, our mission is to make boating more accessible, affordable, flexible, and inclusive for all through both traditional yacht charter companies and peer-to-peer yacht charter. Our website lists all types of boats for rental – including sailboats, motorboats, riverboats, and catamarans from as little as £40 a day. And, depending on their sailing experience, customers can also choose a boat with or without a skipper.
“With competition for staycation accommodation at an all-time high and costs skyrocketing, we’re here to prove that boating is not only a fun staycation option for the whole family, but an affordable one too.”
Read on for the Borrow A Boat guide to affordable ways to get on the water this summer, whether you’re after family fun or a taste of luxury on a budget.
Less than £30 per person…
Boasting three double cabins, one single cabin plus convertible berth in the saloon as well as a spacious galley, the modern Dufour Yacht offers enough space for eight guests, working out at just under £28 per person, per day.
Based in Mercury Yacht Harbour, this boat is available for charter in the Solent – the perfect option if you want to explore nearby Isle of Wight. Anchor in Osborne Bay for a scenic picnic lunch, before sailing on to Cowes where you can enjoy an evening at one of the many restaurants and bars.
Less than £40 per person…
Alternatively, head to Norwich and enjoy exploring the Norfolk Broads on this Broads Cruiser, which sleeps up to ten, working out at £35.90 per day.
The Norfolk Broads are the UK’s largest nationally protected wetland, with over 125 miles of easy to navigate, lock-free waterways set in picturesque countryside and studded with charming towns and villages.
The perfect boat and location for a celebratory post-lockdown holiday.
Less than £50 per person…
For £46.88 per person, head out on Opihr, a Dufour Grand Large cruiser that’s fast, nimble and easy to sail.
Based in Haslar Marina, Gosport, Opihr boasts three cabins, with the saloon converting into an additional cabin allowing up to eight guests to sleep on board.
The ideal family cruising yacht to enjoy a long weekend exploring the south coast.
Less than £60 per person…
Head to the charming Scottish seaside destination of Largs and enjoy sailing aboard the 40ft Hanse 400. This spacious yacht sleeps six across three cabins, working out at £53.50 per person, per day.
Enjoy a refreshing cold-water swim before climbing back onboard via the bathing ladder, enjoying a hot shower and warming up in the relaxing, light and airy saloon.
Explore the town with its traditional Victorian promenade on-foot and visit the ice cream parlours and shops. If you’re visiting in late August or early September, be sure to attend the Largs Viking Festival which celebrates the town’s Viking heritage.
And for a taste of luxury on a budget…
Working at £90 per person, per day the impeccably designed Boutique Hotel Boathouse in Paddington is the perfect base for a long weekend in the heart of the city.
Launched in partnership with interior design brand MADE.com, this wide beam one cabin barge boasts contemporary Scandinavian décor and, thanks to its flexible design, can accommodate four guests overnight, with the lounge converting into a second bedroom.
With the huge range of vessels available via Borrow a Boat, it is now easier than ever to book a boating trip, whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a complete beginner. Chartered vessels and canal boats are great options for the beginner, and Borrow a Boat have vessels available to suit all budgets.
To find out more or to charter your own boat, visit www.borrowaboat.com.
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
- (1) Study of 2,000 nationally representative adults carried out by OnePoll on behalf of Borrow A Boat in April 2021.
- (2) https://press.which.co.uk/whichpressreleases/the-coast-is-dear-some-uk-seaside-accommodation-prices-up-by-a-third/
For further press information, please contact:
Jo Kendall | Elsa Findlay | Olivia Hazelden-Kingdon
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0) 20 3440 8930
E: [email protected]
About Borrow A Boat
Founded in 2016 and launched by entrepreneur, Matt Ovenden, Borrow A Boat is on a mission to make boating more accessible, affordable, flexible, and inclusive for all through both traditional yacht charter companies and peer-to-peer yacht charter. Peer-to-peer charter enabling boat owners to offset the high costs of boat ownership by reducing maintenance costs and marina fees, whilst offering consumers more affordable and flexible boating experiences.
With over 35,000 boat rentals and yacht charters available in 65+ countries including the UK, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, North America, and South East Asia, Borrow A Boat is the leading yacht charter platform.
Borrow A Boat facilitates boat rental from just £40 per day, sailing yachts from £1,000 per week and luxury motorboats and superyachts, under Borrow A Boat Plus, 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 locations.
For more information, or to make a booking, visit the website www.borrowaboat.com.
