The boat rental operator guide

Regulation

Skippered rental: what the law requires

Bareboat or skippered rental: when the boat becomes an NUC (commercially used pleasure vessel), the permis d’armement, Division 241, the skipper’s certificates (capitaine 200), their status and the ENIM.

Contract

Boat rental security deposit: what the law says

Security deposit on a boat rental: no legal cap, but unfair terms to avoid, a pre-authorisation for the exact amount, a joint inspection report, prompt return of the deposit and a mandatory consumer mediator.

Insurance

Insurance for a boat rental company

Insuring a rental fleet: what the law makes compulsory (not much), what ports require, the usual cover, the excess and informing the renter.

Regulation

Division 240: the rental operator’s obligations

What the 2026 Division 240 requires of a bareboat rental company: the annual special inspection and its register, the renter’s prior declaration, notices displayed at the agency, equipment beyond 2 nautical miles, beach craft and jet skis.

Getting started

Opening a boat rental base

Starting a bareboat rental business: NAF code, registration and certificate of registration, port berth or beach AOT (temporary occupation permit), VAT, Division 240 obligations and policing of the 300 m coastal strip.

Operations

Late bookings and short turnarounds: managing the planner without losing your margin

Customers book later and for shorter periods: July–August now accounts for only 38% of departures, and 3- to 4-day rentals are multiplying. How a boat rental company keeps control of its planner, its turnarounds at the dock and its profitability.

Contract

Security deposit, excess, excess waiver: the rental company’s side

The excess is set by the rental company’s insurance, the security deposit secures it, and the excess waiver reduces it for the customer. How long a card pre-authorisation stays valid, the proof needed to withhold, and recent case law.

Profitability

Is renting out your boat profitable? The real figures

For an owner thinking of entrusting their boat to a rental company: how many days it will be rented, what the berth and insurance cost, what the manager or platform takes, and how the income is taxed (BIC, micro-BIC €83,600, VAT).

Protection

Wear, damage, disputes: how a professional protects your boat

The No. 1 fear of an owner who rents out their boat: damage. What really protects it: the signed inspection report with photos, the security deposit by card pre-authorisation, checking the boating licence, the navigation zone, the maintenance log and GPS tracking.

Features

Four apps: Fleet at the office, Check at the dock, Fix in the workshop, Sup for owners. Per boat per month, 30-day trial, no minimum term.

Comparison

SunSea Hub, Nauticoncept, Nautic Manager, SeaBook and Boat Rental Manager on 17 criteria: deposit, inspection, GPS, pricing, no minimum term.