Bartolini Yachting Cantiere Rent Boat Isola d'Elba

Don't rent/charter there if avoidable. Don’t be fooled by the flashy website. It’s a rip-off, bordering on hazardous recklessness. Here's my experience: First, was not given the boat as originally discussed 2 days previously. When I turn up on the morning of the scheduled date the promised/reserved boat all of a sudden 'is not available'... Someone could have told me... Instead, I am given a run down, mangy dinghy... Admittedly, first mistake happened here: should have turned on my heels straight away, difficult though whith two kids in tow excitedly looking forward to a long-promised day at sea... On maneuvering out of the berth, I realize the whole misery unfolding ...not a single instrument working, clutch effectiveness being a lottery, joints of the bimini disintegrating/loose, the tissue itself torn/flapping in the wind, fixed with duct tape! (thing is, you only realize when taking it down, it's all well hidden when folded up) ... Storage space and seat flaps amateurishly fixed with wooden frames with screw/nail ends sticking out from beneath the upholstery... - real cool when having 2 under 10 yr olds hopping about on board... ...and THE WORST: after the first stop, after 1.5 hrs at sea, anchoring for a while, the engine just doesn't start! Something to do with it pulling water, for the mechanically minded: loads of white smoke billowing, then the thing dies off after a couple of secs... ...also the gas/clutch handle being so loose, it's nearly falling of, and impossible to hit neutral without trying 3-4 times... Compounding problem: Revs in neutral way too low... (from the sound of it, since, as written: not a single instrument working) ... to cut a long, unnerving story short: first time I got the engine running after 20min real hard work, not fun when anchoring with 2x 8 year old kids on board, second time works fine after gassing up, a while later then, when picking up the kids in the harbour, same story: cut out after a couple of seconds, impossible to get the engine re-started, ending up floating in the harbour, helpful locals tow me to a bouy, finding a mechanic, who fiddling/cursing after 20 min gets the thing running, I return straight to the base (Porto Azzuro), without letting the revs came down too low... nightmarish trip! Especially with family on board... ...as an aside, interesting note: the locals knew Roberto. Didn’t seem to hold him in high regard. ... After we got the his heap of crumbling rotten you-know-what running (not my idea of a holiday, twiddling with the clutch in >32° under the baking sun with two frustrated kids trying not to get hit by a derelict bimini flapping round your ears...), I was given a rather telling farewell: 'we did it for you -ie, so you can get your kids home-, not for him, ie Roberto' ... Telling, innit? Afterwards, when the guy at the base was himself unable to get the thing running, Roberto tried to give me a story about 'bad fuel' blabla... Although, admittedly, I certainly should have checked more carefully. However, @ 450 Euro per day, asking for a bit of quality is not too much too expect, IMHO. Had several boats before, from 10 foot dinghy to 40 foot cats, never, ever had such a run down, basically non-maintained heap of you-know-what! Guys, how hard is it to maintain your hardware?

Excellent rental service for dinghies and boats, clean and spacious! The price includes insurance and on-board accessories. Prepared and available staff have provided us with a map to stop us in the best beaches, signaling us also the bad weather conditions in part of the coast! I recommend to everyone!

Excellent experience and service. Well maintained boats and friendly staff. See you soon!

RECOMMENDED we have received assistance in choosing the best solution! friendly and helpful staff! The beautiful and very kind girl!

RECOMMENDED friendly and kind staff, we rented a boat to visit the beaches of Elba island. Before embarking, they gave us a map of the best beaches and advised us against some directions for the wind that could have bothered us.