The best way to experience the boating life without first churning out too much cash is to rent. It’s practical – boat ownership is costly. And if your purpose is just to see if the boating life is something you’d really want for yourself, renting makes all the sense.
Still, that does not absolve you of all the responsibility. Even renting requires some steps of carefully-curated decisions to ensure that you stay safe and get the best out of your boating experience.
Here are the things that you should look into if you’re considering to rent a boat.
Finding a rental company
It doesn’t mean that you have to settle into the first boating company that you find online. Make sure your boat rental company is reliable, with good reputation and reasonable fees. Your local tourist office can be a good resource to find good boating companies. They can also give you a good idea of where to take your boat for a good time.
Safety equipment
You should be provided with the necessary safety equipments from life jackets to fire extinguishers, proper vessel lighting, and distress signal devices, among others.
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Boat size and type
How large is the waterway and what is your primary purpose for taking to the water? Make sure you are familiar with the waterway to match the proper boat size. If you are going out alone, relaxing with friends, or having a family party, it’s wise to ask the advice of your rental proprietor to rightly match capacity with the purpose.
Rental agreement
Not all agreements are created equal. You need to know what you’re signing for. Know the rental limits, rules on cancellation, the prohibitions, insurance coverage, and other risks that would most likely cost you. It’s important that you understand the bounds of the contract before you sign your name on the dotted line.
Boat operation
If you don’t know or don’t have a license in boat operation, the rental company may provide you a crash course on how to operate the boat – at a cost, or they will designate an operator. See to it that your operators are experienced and have the credentials to ensure yours and your family and friends’ safety while on board.
Check the list and equip before you escape. Whether it is for adventure or leisure, it’s always good to travel knowing that you are adequately prepared.
