A boat rental platform is set to launch its service at a number of Lake Ontario harbours in early May.
Subscription service Skipperi will offer access to a fleet of more than 40 “new, fully equipped” motorboats for those who can’t own or store a vessel.
The Finland-based entity is boasting unlimited peer-to-peer morning and afternoon rentals of craft between 17 to 23 feet for qualified boaters via a monthly fee and fuel costs.
“In a nutshell, Skipperi’s mission is really to democratize the boating space, make it more accessible for everyone, regardless of age, gender and also boating experience,” Canada lead Keven Dextradeur told 900 CHML’s Hamilton Today.
Skipperi says its “academy” will also organize training for those who don’t have three years of casual boating experience and guidance on acquiring pleasure craft operators licences.
Accreditation requires would-be boaters to pass a boating exam and have locally required permits.
Skipperi’s app allows for two active reservations at a time with one for the same day or the next day and another beyond those days.
The app also utilises geofencing and AI technology with the latter notifying users of maximum speeds during a trip in addition to identifying potential boat damage, sending notifications for repair teams.
After completing a trip, users simply refuel the rental replacing what they’ve used.
Boats in the fleet include life jackets and other safety equipment.
Dextradeur says demand for the service in Toronto was a catalyst in expanding operations to Hamilton and Port Dalhousie for 2023.
“We partnered up with the Harbour West Marina, where we have three boats that will be there as of May 1st with options to add up to four more for a total of seven,” he said.
A market preview in the Toronto-area last year saw, on average, members were using the service some 4.3 times per week, comparable to most private boat owners, according to Dextradeur.
“We have had some members going out, literally, every day and sometimes multiple times a day,” he said.
Unlimited boating from all Ontario harbours between May 1 to October 31 will set a user back $475 plus HST each month, which includes practical training in the base fees for members.
Adding weekends is another $280 plus taxes per month.
Those seeking access to larger vessels with increased capacity will have to add another $143 plus taxes each month.
Members will be able to access the smart fleet starting May 1 from seven harbours along Lake Ontario between Pickering and St. Catharines:
- Frenchman’s Bay Marina, Pickering
- Bluffers Park Marina, Scarborough
- Queens Quay/Yonge, Toronto
- Queens Quay/Bathurst, Toronto
- Toronto Island Marina
- Hamilton Harbour West Marina
- Port Dalhousie Pier Marina
The Skipperi app is available through the Google Play Store and iOS App Store.