There are few things more quintessentially Australian than spending summer days aboard a boat – be it a teeny tinny or a luxury floating home. And yet, for most, owning and storing a seafaring vessel is an unachievable and somewhat ridiculous notion. (We’re looking at you, apartment dwellers.) This precisely why our ears pricked up at the news that an AirBnB for boat owners had launched in Australia. Now, you can have your dreamy days at sea before returning the boat to its responsible owner (it’s just like being an aunty or uncle, really).

We had a chat to Matthew Lloyd from Book My Boat to find out how we too can live the luxe life on the harbour this summer, without having to actually buy, store or own a boat.

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Our first concern: do we need to have a boat license to make our summertime dreams come true?

“Book My Boat has a variety of boats available for hire, starting with small tinnies and pontoon boats that don’t require boat licenses through to larger boats that hold up to seven people that are capable of travelling offshore for a deep-sea fishing experience. There’s also a handful of charter boat and overnight hire boat listings online,” Matthew explains.

Having been involved with boating their whole lives, the three-person founding team behind Book My Boat wanted to find a way to make boating more accessible to those people who don’t own a boat. And, Matthew adds, “On the flip side, as boat owners we were on the look out for a way to offset our boat ownership costs. The share economy is booming in so many industries and we thought it was time the boating industry was introduced to the benefits that the share economy can provide.”

And for those renting out their boats? Boat owner Tim West said, “I’ve really enjoyed meeting my customers who all maintain boat licenses and treat my boat like their own. Book My Boat’s given me the lifestyle I’ve always wanted by could never afford.”

Lilypad Palm Beach is among the listings, alongside around 80 other vessels (including the likes of stand-up paddle boards).

Keen to set sail? Visit Book My Boat to gain a taste of that seafaring lifestyle.

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