Samboat was a French peer-to-peer boat rental pioneer until Click&Boat acquired it in 2018. Today Samboat runs as a parallel brand on Click&Boat's underlying inventory — same commission structure (15–22%), same Paris support, same approach. If you're looking for a Samboat alternative, the real question is whether you want an independent platform or another Click&Boat-family listing. This page covers the difference.
Samboat is now Click&Boat
Since the 2018 acquisition, Samboat and Click&Boat share back-end inventory, commission policy, and operational support. Listing on one effectively lists on both. The brand differences are cosmetic — UI styling, marketing focus (Samboat skews sailing yachts, Click&Boat all boats), and country preference (Samboat slightly stronger in francophone West Africa and the French Antilles).
If you want a genuinely independent peer-to-peer marketplace as a counterweight to the Click&Boat/Samboat duopoly, the choices are: BoatHire24 (independent, Med-focused), Boatsetter (US-focused), GetMyBoat (US/AU/Caribbean), or Borrow A Boat (UK-focused).
BoatHire24 vs Samboat — comparison
| BoatHire24 | Samboat (= Click&Boat) | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Independent | Click&Boat subsidiary |
| Commission | 15% flat | 15–22% variable |
| Renter fee | 0% | ~6% |
| Listing setup | 5–7 days, marina walkthrough | 2–4 days self-serve |
| Support language | EN, ES, FR (WhatsApp) | FR, EN (email/portal) |
| Sailing yacht focus | Strong (catamarans, monohulls) | Samboat brand skews here |
| Marina-based handover | Yes | No |
Why owners cross-list instead of switching
Samboat's underlying inventory is the same as Click&Boat's, so dropping Samboat doesn't drop Click&Boat traffic — those renters find your listing via the parent brand anyway. The practical owner move: keep your Samboat/Click&Boat listing, add BoatHire24 as a second, sync calendars. Same renter audience, different acquisition channels.
Migrating to BoatHire24 alongside Samboat
- Send WhatsApp message with Samboat listing URL.
- 30-minute marina walkthrough. Photos, video, copy.
- iCal sync — Samboat bookings block our calendar and vice-versa.
- Live on both within a week. Compare net take-home across a season.
Related: platform comparisons and owner guides
Frequently asked questions
Is Samboat still independent from Click&Boat?
No. Click&Boat acquired Samboat in 2018. The two brands now share back-end inventory and commission structure. Listing on Samboat lists you on Click&Boat by default. Brand differences are marketing-only — Samboat skews sailing yachts, Click&Boat is generalist.
Should I list on Samboat AND BoatHire24?
Yes for most Mediterranean owners. The audiences barely overlap — Samboat brings French and German renters via Click&Boat's marketing, BoatHire24 brings Spanish-speaking, English-speaking and Mediterranean walk-in. iCal sync prevents double-booking. Cross-listed boats typically see 30–45% more bookings.
What's Samboat's commission for owners?
15–22%, same as Click&Boat since the acquisition. Variable by country, listing tier, and whether the booking originates on Samboat or Click&Boat. Renters also pay ~6% service fee. BoatHire24 charges a flat 15% with no renter fee.
Does Samboat handle Spanish-flagged boats?
Yes — Spain is a strong Samboat/Click&Boat market via the Balearics and Costa del Sol. EU vessels list normally. Insurance handling is the same as Click&Boat — optional add-on for renters, separate from owner's annual charter policy.
Is BoatHire24 owned by a larger company?
No — BoatHire24 is independent. Not part of the Click&Boat / Samboat group, Boatsetter, GetMyBoat, or any other major platform. Independence means we set our own commission (flat 15%, no insurance load), our own renter screening rules, and our own dispute process.
What's the easiest way to compare net take-home?
List on both for a full season (May–October in the Med). Export bookings from each, subtract platform commission + insurance load + renter-fee impact on bookings declined. Most cross-listed owners report €1,500–€4,000/yr higher net on BoatHire24 vs Samboat for an equivalent 12 m yacht.
Does Samboat still accept new listings in 2026?
Yes. The Samboat brand remains active and accepts new owner listings via the standard self-serve onboarding. New listings are automatically syndicated to the Click&Boat inventory.