Boat exchange (also called boat swap or boat sharing) lets owners sail far more for far less. Instead of renting, boat owners share their own boat with each other and, in return, get to use other members' boats. It's reciprocity, not rental.
At The Seafolk, a members' boat-exchange club, it's simple:
List your boat with photos and available dates.
Opening availability earns you internal credits (Knots).
Spend your credits to request stays on other members' boats; the owner accepts or declines.
So sharing your boat a few weeks a year opens the door to sailing sailboats and yachts across Europe, the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
Why exchange instead of rent?
No rental cost between members: nobody pays to use another's boat — you swap with reciprocity.
Trust between owners: profiles with photo, sailing experience and reviews from past exchanges.
A real sailing community: professional skippers and port services within reach.
Do I need a sailing licence?
It depends on the boat and the area. The Seafolk includes a nautical licence checker that tells you whether your certificate covers a given boat or destination.