Spending the day on the water sailing around your local lake or even just off the coast of the ocean can be a great way to spend your time. You may have thought of owning a boat but at this point getting a boat rental may make more sense. If you haven't rented a boat or a yacht before there are some things you should know before you do.
Here are some things you should know about getting a boat rental to keep you and your passengers safe and happy.
Before You Search For A Boat
The first thing you should do before you search for a boat rental is to know what kind of boat you want. Do you want a sailboat? A powerboat? A yacht? They are all handled differently if you plan to be the skipper yourself, so you should have some experience in driving one. If you plan to hire a charter, the company will typically use its own skipper and staff so you only have to focus on enjoying yourself on the trip.
You also need to know how many people will be going with you. Many boat rental companies offer several sizes of each type of boat and it may not be necessary to rent a large boat when you only have a handful of people going with you.
Also, do you wish to have food and beverages on board? If so, does the company offer their own catering service and staff, or can/must you use your own?
Take A Tour Of The Boat
If you are renting a boat for just you and your family and friends and not through a tourist company where other people will be with you, then it's a good idea to tour the boat before you head out. You should do this before you sign the rental agreement, but it can be done after as well. This is to familiarize yourself with the boat to make navigating the space easier once you are on board later.
Get to know where the lifeboats are kept, what the safety features of the boat are, what the crew will do in an emergency situation, and know where the lifejackets are kept. It is especially important to know these things if you are renting a boat on your own and won't have the boat crew with you. In that case, also get to know how to operate the radio.
It's a good idea to tour the boat before you head out so you get a good feel for it and can show your guests around once they arrive.
To explore your options, contact a boat rental service near you today.
