Beware of dodgy online charter agencies
In an increasingly competitive market, online charter agencies promise spectacular discounts and dream holidays. But behind early bird offers of up to 45% can be real risks. A recent article in the German magazine YACHT highlights the growing problems encountered by customers of the Slovak agency Boataround. We have translated and adapted the content to inform Romanian boaters and encourage safe and transparent choices.
Full article translation
Original title: Beware of dubious online charter providers!
Author: Jochen Rieker, YACHT Magazin, 9 November 2025
Slovak online charter agency Boataround - between attractive discounts and hidden risks
Slovakian online charter agency Boataround is currently enticing boaters with early bird discounts up to 45%. However, more and more customers are facing uncertainties about the availability of boats and the security of down payments.
The Marcus Neumüller case - a race against time
Marcus Neumüller was planning a week of sailing with three friends in October. In August, he found a nearly new 40-foot Beneteau near Athens online for €2,600 including SUP. He booked direct and transferred the full amount on 24 August.
The day before departure, he learnt that the boat would not be delivered: Boataround had not paid the last instalment of €1,200 to the Alimos fleet operator. According to the base manager, „we often have problems like this with them”.
Neumüller had to insist by e-mail and telephone that Boataround honour its obligations. The payment was made just an hour before the deadline. „Nobody needs that kind of stress,” he says. After this experience, he will no longer book through Boataround.
Other problematic cases
Other customers have been more seriously affected:
- Booked boats that were not available
- Repayments delayed by months
- Discounts displayed on the website not reflecting reality
Nico Gast - a trip in jeopardy
Nico Gast from Germany booked a 14 metre catamaran for September. As it was not available, he was offered a similar model. He paid the last instalments in July and August and arrived on 27 September.
But the replacement boat was not delivered to him either - again, because of an outstanding payment. The contract was cancelled, and Boataround offered a smaller catamaran 350 km away, only available the next day. Gast hired a car and left with the crew.
The extra costs and the lost day were not compensated. The 906 euro reimbursement was delayed for weeks. Boataround reacted only after Gast threatened legal action.
Online ratings and industry concerns
On Trustpilot, Boataround has a 4.5 star rating. However, negative reviews have increased significantly since August.
The situation is reminiscent of the Zizoo bankruptcy in 2023, which operated on a similar model: big discounts, aggressive marketing, but serious financial problems.
At the boat fair in Biograd, fleet operators discussed limiting co-operation with Boataround due to reputational risks.
Industry critics
Boataround has previously promoted „secret deals” of up to 50% discount, where the customer did not know which boat they would receive or from where. These offers have since been removed from the site.
Simone Morelli, the director of North Sardinia Sail, has stopped working with Boataround, describing their business model as „unscrupulous and exclusively discount-orientated”.
Yacht-Pool position
Friedrich Schöchl, director of Yacht-Pool, promotes transparency in the charter market. He has created the „Checked & Trusted” seal, which assesses customer satisfaction and the financial situation of agencies.
Schöchl refuses to broker insurance for companies with questionable practices. Using client advances to finance ongoing operations is considered misappropriation of funds.
Is Boataround in financial difficulty or is it just system glitches? There's no way to say for sure. On Trustpilot, the company says it endeavours to provide excellent service and that refunds are being processed. But is everything in order?
Although it offers attractive discounts and has a solid online presence, documented cases show that Boataround can put customers' holidays and money at risk. Payment problems, lack of transparency and accumulated debts indicate an instability that should not be ignored. We recommend capetan.club members to choose certified agencies, with solid reputation and transparent practices.
