How to Write a Listing That Gets Booked
How to Write a Listing That Gets Booked
You have a great boat, you have decided to rent it out, and you have created a profile on Ship O'Hoi. But your listing competes with many others – and the difference between a listing that gets booked and one that gets ignored often comes down to how it is written.
In this guide, we give you a complete template, example text, and the most common mistakes to avoid.
The Title: Your First Impression
The title is the first thing potential renters see. It should be:
- Specific – include boat type, size, and a unique selling point
- Concrete – avoid vague words like "nice" or "great"
- Searchable – include keywords people actually search for
Weak titles:
Strong titles:
- "24-ft daycruiser with sun deck – perfect for the archipelago"
- "Spacious 32-ft cabin cruiser for family trips – sleeps 6"
- "Fast 22-ft RIB with 150 HP – ideal for island hopping"
The Description: Sell the Experience
The description should paint a picture of the experience the renter can expect. Start with the most important information, then build out with details.
Description template:
``` [Opening: What makes this boat special? 2–3 sentences]
[What is it suited for? Day trips, overnights, fishing, water skiing?]
[Technical details: Make, model, year, engine, speed]
[Comfort and equipment: Seats, berths, kitchen, toilet, sun deck, swim platform, etc.]
[Navigation and safety: GPS, fish finder, VHF, life jackets, etc.]
[Location and pick-up: Where is the boat? Parking? Transport?]
[Included in price / extras]
[Experience required? Requirements for renters] ```
Example text:
> Experience the archipelago from the deck of this well-maintained 24-foot Yamarin Cross 64 BR (2019). With a 150 HP Yamaha engine and a spacious cockpit, this is the perfect boat for a day on the water with family or friends – whether you want to explore the islands, swim from the platform, or cruise into the sunset. > > Perfect for: Day trips, swimming, sunbathing, island hopping > > Technical: Yamarin Cross 64 BR, 2019 model, Yamaha F150 4-stroke, max 8 persons > > Comfort: Spacious cockpit seating for 8, forward sun deck, swim platform with ladder, bimini top for shade, cooler box, Bluetooth speaker > > Navigation and safety: Garmin GPS/chartplotter, fish finder, VHF radio, 8 life jackets, fire extinguisher, first aid kit > > Location: Guest marina, central Stockholm. 5-minute walk from public transport. Free guest parking available. > > Included: Full tank at pick-up, 30-minute boat orientation, cooler with ice > > Requirements: Valid boating license. Minimum age 25.
The Equipment List: Be Thorough
Renters want to know exactly what they are getting. Check off everything that is available:
- Swim platform and ladder
- Sun deck / sunbed
- Bimini top / sun shade
- GPS / chartplotter
- Fish finder / depth sounder
- VHF radio
- Bluetooth speaker / music system
- Cooler box / fridge
- Cooking facilities / grill
- Toilet
- Berths (number)
- Anchor system
- Life jackets (number)
- Snorkel / swim gear
- Water ski / wakeboard equipment
- Fishing gear
Photos Complete the Package
Good text needs good photos to convert. Read our full guide: How to Take Photos That Sell.
The 5 Most Common Mistakes
- Too little information. Renters will not book what they do not understand. Be detailed.
- No interior photos. Show the cockpit, seating, and any cabin – not just the exterior.
- Unclear rules. Specify what is allowed (smoking? pets? fishing?) in the description.
- Forgetting to mention location. Where do you pick up the boat? Is there parking nearby?
- Copying someone else's text. Write in your own voice. Authenticity builds trust.
Pricing Matters Too
A good listing is only half the job – the price needs to be right as well. Read our guide to pricing your boat rental to find the right level.
Ready to create your listing? Sign up on Ship O'Hoi and create your first ad.
