Less than a month since YACHTCHAT launched, and the social app for yachties everywhere has been a roaring success.
Over 1800 Captains and crew downloaded the app in the first two week. Although the majority of downloads have come from Monaco, the French Riviera and Fort Lauderdale, the app is being used in Thailand, Australia, China and New Zealand.
So many Captains and crew from Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas downloaded the app in the first week that founder Tony Ryan jumped on a plane and headed to the Miami Yacht Show to talk with crew and get feedback on the new app.
Branded as ‘Tinder for Yachties’ by The Crew Reports Editor Lulu Trask, this app uses geo-location software to put yachties in touch with other yachties in the area they are currently in.
It also has a day working feature that allows Captains to pick from a list of people available to work that day in whichever port they happen to be moored.
Talking with crew at the Miami Yacht Show it became clear that some people wanted to use the app purely for its ‘Tinderesque’ functionality to meet other yachties around the world. However one Captain pointed out that he would use the app only to recruit day workers and didn’t really want to be messaged about meeting up at a local bar on Saturday night. Tony quickly responded with an update to the app that allows people to choose if they are using YACHTCHAT socially or just for work.
There are many more updates planned for this unique tool including upload a CV for Captains to view, send video clips to other users and uploading a video CV.
Tony commented, “It was important for us to have YACHTCHAT ready for the start of the Mediterranean season. For new crew it will be an invaluable tool to help them find day work and gain valuable industry experience. We are also adding a star rating for day workers due to feedback from Captains, so they will be able to see who are the best workers in the area without having to try people out for a day.
“Socially the app is winning hands down. It makes me wish I were back on board travelling to new destinations. It’s really rewarding to know that people are out there making friends and meeting like minded people from the superyacht industry because of our app.”
To find out more about YACHTCHAT or sister app, YACHTNEEDS, please email info@yachtneeds.net or call Tony on +33 640 611 013
