Friends of Boatshed (FOB) Scheme

Building strong local business relationships is one of the most effective ways to generate new listings. The Friends of Boatshed (FOB) scheme is designed to help Boatshed offices collaborate with marine businesses that share our ethos of putting the customer first. By working closely with these businesses, we create a mutually beneficial network—they refer boat owners looking to sell, and in return, we introduce our buyers to their services.


This approach not only strengthens Boatshed’s reputation in the local marine community but also provides a consistent stream of new listings. Businesses such as marinas, chandlers, boatyards, surveyors, and marine engineers often interact with boat owners before they even consider selling, making them ideal partners for generating referrals.

How the FOB Scheme Works

    • When discussing the scheme with a potential FOB, it’s worth mentioning that you would expect them to refer customers to Boatshed.
    • There is no limit to the number of FOBs a brokerage can have, allowing you to build a strong local network that continuously feeds new listings.
    • FOBs are displayed on relevant Boatshed listings, appearing under the appropriate category based on their selected service level.

FOB Service Levels

Each FOB must choose a service level, which determines where their branding will be displayed:

1. Local

    • The FOB is displayed on listings from the Boatshed Brand where the boat is listed.
    • Even if a customer views the boat via a different Boatshed Brand, the original FOB remains.
    • Example: A Beneteau listed with Boatshed Brighton will display the FOB regardless of whether the customer views it from Boatshed Brighton or Boatshed France.

2. National

    • The FOB is displayed on all boats within the same country, regardless of the Boatshed Brand listing or viewing the boat.

3. Global

    • The FOB is displayed on all boats worldwide, no matter the boat's location or the Boatshed Brand.

How Customers Contact a FOB

    • The FOB’s details will appear on relevant listings, allowing customers to click through to a pre-populated enquiry form.
    • Customers can add a specific message before submitting the form.
    • Once submitted, the enquiry is sent directly to the FOB for response.

Notification Process

When an enquiry is made, the following emails are sent:

✅ Friend of Boatshed – Receives an email with the customer’s enquiry and a link to the boat listing.

✅ Customer – Receives a confirmation email acknowledging their enquiry.

✅ Broker – Receives an email notification that a customer has made an enquiry.

To see how the process works, watch this short video: [Insert Video Link]



How to Apply

If you’re interested in setting up a Friend of Boatshed on your website, send the following details to Boatshed Support at support@boatshedsupport.com:

    • Company Name
    • Contact Name
    • Email Address
    • Service Level (Global / National / Local)

The HQ team will review the company, and if suitable, we will issue an online contract. Once signed, the FOB will be set up on the Boatshed website.

Why This Matters for Brokers

Establishing strong relationships with local marine businesses is one of the best ways to secure consistent boat listings. These businesses interact with boat owners before they decide to sell, making them valuable sources of referrals. The FOB scheme formalizes these relationships, ensuring a steady flow of new listings while providing added value to customers.


For any questions, feel free to contact Boatshed Support.

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