Ahoy Club Revolutionises Global Yacht Charter Booking with acquisition of Floatspace
Expect Even More Seamless Booking Experiences
Ahoy Club, a distinguished name in the global yachting industry, is thrilled to announce its acquisition of Floatspace, a digital leader in yacht booking services. This strategic move is designed to strengthen Ahoy Club's commitment to providing clients with instant and seamless booking experiences on a global scale.
Ahoy Club began with a global focus, aiming to revolutionise the yacht charter industry globally, however during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ahoy Club honed in on the Australian Day Charter market, focusing on the higher-end luxury day charter yachts. Ahoy Club gained significant market share, and driving revenue during a time where luxury travel was hit with unprecedented obstacles.
Now, with the pandemic over, and global yacht chartering seeing strong growth and rebounds, Ahoy Club has now acquired Floatspace, a brand focused at the more accessible end of the market by offering fully automated bookings for entry-level party boats. Ahoy Club can now service the entire charter market digitally, and completely automated, from catamarans to megayachts. This strategic progression allows Ahoy Club to offer comprehensive solutions across the spectrum.
Ellie Malouf, CEO of Ahoy Club, emphasises the evolving nature of client expectations: "Clients today are empowered with extensive knowledge, conducting their own thorough research. For charters, they often know what they want, when they want it, and seek the convenience of booking that instantly. Clients now expect similar experiences in the yachting industry as they do with other premium services." This sentiment reflects Ahoy Club's commitment to meeting the evolving demands of the modern luxury traveller, making the instant booking process more accessible for clients worldwide.
Floatspace, an award-winning yacht charter booking platform, enables clients to effortlessly select their desired yacht, date, time, and any additional requirements. The intuitive platform then guides them straight to a payment screen to confirm their day charter. The advanced technology automatically updates the yacht's calendar and generates charter contracts for all parties involved. Quickly becoming Australia's leading boat rental tech play, Floatspace attracted investment from notable figures such as Tim Fung of Airtasker and Rolf Hansen of Amaysim. Over the past 6.5 years, Floatspace has thrived, developing technology that offers clients real-time availability, live pricing, and end-to-end automation, ensuring a seamless customer experience. Hugh Treseder, the Founder, will stay on as CEO of Floatspace, ensuring the strategic acquisition seamlessly combines the strength of both brands.
"The two businesses complement one another very well. Although having come at the market from opposite ends, both delivered excellent traction and growth, meaning combining the two would result in a force to be reckoned with. Floatspace's technology has been built by the industry's best, namely ex TripAdvisor staff Jeff Lewis and Jason Smith and can therefore expedite the Ahoy Club plans for scale. "We've gone to a fabulous new home and having had some healthy rivalry over the years, can now turbocharge things. I'm proud, this was no easy journey" said Treseder. Ahoy Club, with offices strategically located in Sydney, Miami, Monaco, and Golfe Juan France, provides a robust global infrastructure for Floatspace to extend its reach across the globe.
About Ahoy Club
Founded in 2018, Ahoy Club emerged from a rich legacy of yacht ownership and chartering, driven by a mission to revolutionise the yachting industry. Our extensive experience and deep passion for yachting inspire us to transform yacht chartering, purchasing, and management, offering a seamless and exceptional experience for our clients. Our charter portfolio features over 3,000 meticulously selected yachts globally, covering iconic destinations like the South Pacific, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. These yachts promise unforgettable experiences on the water.
Specialising in yacht sales, Ahoy Club guides owners through every step of the purchasing journey. We provide expert advice and personalised service, helping clients find the perfect yacht to meet their unique needs and preferences. Unlike traditional brokerages, we offer a unique perspective from an owner's viewpoint, being a business led by yacht owners themselves. Our recent acquisition of Ray White Marine has further strengthened our position, granting us exclusive distribution rights for prestigious new build brands such as Ferretti Yachts, Pershing, Itama, Riva, CRN, Custom Line, and Wally in Australia and New Zealand, along with Technohull as our third dealership.
Ahoy Club's yacht management services are designed to ensure that every aspect of yacht ownership is handled with the utmost care and professionalism. From maintenance and crew management to financial administration and operational support, we provide a comprehensive service that allows owners to enjoy their yachts without the usual complexities and concerns. Notably, we have completed some of the world's largest refits, including the rebuild of the 73m Megayacht CORAL OCEAN, which underwent extensive upgrades to enhance her luxury and performance.
With a global presence that includes offices in Australia, France, Monaco, and Florida, Ahoy Club pioneers a new era of yachting, ensuring every journey is exceptional and allowing our clients to enjoy unparalleled luxury. Join us as we redefine the art of yachting.
