UK boat hire and charter marketplace Borrow a Boat has bought US-based peer-to-peer charter platform KellyBoat, as it seeks to expand within the US market.
“The acquisition of KellyBoat will continue with our growth strategy in the US, which to date is the fastest growing market for the company,” Borrow a Boat says in a media statement. “Boat hires will be focussed on New England and Palm Beach, and with exciting expansion plans in Q4 and beyond.”
Kellyboat was founded by Kelly Lyden, who grew up in New England and has a lifelong passion for the sea, and a background in law and insurance.
Borrow a Boat says Lyden’s expertise will allow them to add more vessels in New York, Chesapeake Bay, Cape Cod, Rhode Island, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, plus the Great Lakes. Customers can currently choose from a variety of vessels, including sailboats, motorboats, riverboats, RIBs, catamarans, gulets, luxury yachts and superyachts.
Borrow a Boat will be attending both the United States Powerboat Show (6-9 October) and United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis (13-17 October), celebrating the US launch and accelerating revenues across the globe.
Image courtesy of United States Sailboat Show
“Borrow a Boat has been recognised as a fast-moving, innovative leader in the global boat hire market,” says Lyden. “As its first US acquisition, we’re excited to bring their boundless energy and successful technology to the US market.”
Matt Ovenden, founder & CEO of Borrow a Boat, says: “The combination of Kelly’s local knowledge and our technology gives us a powerful platform to grow in the US, and we have aggressive growth targets as we see it as a key market for Borrow a Boat. Since launching in America last year, we’ve experienced unrivalled interest from the US boating audience who have well and truly got on board with the Borrow a Boat offering, enabling it to become one of our fastest growing markets worldwide.”
“We’re proud to be celebrating this achievement at the Annapolis Boat Shows. We’re now looking toward the future of our US foothold, including further plans for expansion, and eyeing up additional acquisitions.”
Borrow a Boat recently expanded into the French market, following its ‘busiest ever season’.
source:marineindustrynews.co.uk
