Boat-sharing startup expands reach

South Florida boat rental startup Boatsetter has acquired Seattle-based Boatbound, expanding its national reach. The company models its peer-to-peer boat-sharing business on Airbnb, connecting people seeking rentals with boat owners looking to monetize the time their boats aren’t being used. Boatsetter differentiates itself from similar boat-sharing businesses by also giving its users access to licensed captains in addition to high-end boat rentals for yachting, sailing and fishing, around the clock customer support and insurance coverage for renters, boat owners and captains. The company says that with the new acquisition, it now has 5,000 vessels and 1,500 licensed captains in its network with inventory in 300 locations around the country.