Water Backpacking: What to Know About Renting a Boat

If you’re planning a summer vacation, one activity you might incorporate into your trip, if you’re going somewhere coastal, is a boat rental. Whether you’re going to a lake or somewhere like the Keys, a boat rental is a great way to spend time when you’re on vacation.

Renting a boat is a big responsibility, though. You have to drive carefully and avoid any behavior that could be seen as negligent if you were in an accident. In 2016 alone, there were nearly 700 boating accidents.

Along with safety tips, the following are some general things to know about rental boats.

Rent It In Advance

With COVID-19 still an issue, a lot of people are planning domestic trips and certain locations are especially popular. For example, the Florida Keys and the entire state of Florida have been packed with tourists in the past year.

That means that things like renting a boat could be more popular as well, so plan in advance. That way, you’ll make sure you not just get a rental, but you get the one you want.

If you book a boat in advance, you can also do a little research and learn more about it.

Along with renting in advance, you should get to the marina early. There will be paperwork, and you’re going to have to go over the features of the boat and safety guidelines with the staff. When you’re paying for a rental, you don’t want to waste your time, which is why getting there early is advantageous for you.

Aim to get to the marina 30 to 45 minutes before your scheduled time.

At the time you rent your boat, you should ask the marina if there’s anything you should bring.

Choose the Right Boat

Before you rent anything, again, do some research because it’s important to find the right boat for your needs.

You’ll first want to consider your comfort level as far as operating a boat. You’ll also want to think about how many people you’ll have onboard and whether or not you plan to do any watersports.

If you’re not sure which boat to rent, contact the marina staff, and they’ll help you. There’s no better way to enjoy the Florida Keys than by water via Key West Boat Rentals.

Check the Age Requirements

If you’re younger, you will probably need to be at least 18 to rent a powerboat. At some marinas, you might need to be as old as 25, similar to renting a car. Every rental company has its own set of rules.

The Price

The price of a boat rental depends on where you are, the marina, and the type of boat.

If you were to rent a pontoon boat in a tourist destination, you might for example pay $500 or more. Sometimes you can rent small boats on lakes for around $30 an hour, but that’s on the very low end.

It can be cheaper if you’re staying somewhere for a period of time and, especially if you have a dock, to rent something for a week. You’ll usually get a discount over what you’d otherwise pay per day.

What to Bring

You’ll want to bring some specific things on the boat with you.

You’ll probably want a change of clothes, towels, food, water, a cooler, and sunscreen at a minimum.

If you’re going to do any activities while on the boat, bring what you’ll need for that.

If you think you’re going to be out all day rather than just a few hours, you might also bring a few blankets and toiletries.

While you should have everything you need, don’t overpack because that’s going to crowd your boat.

Know the Requirements

Depending on your location, there may be varying requirements for boat rentals. For example, you may need to take a boater’s education class in some states, and in some states, there aren’t any regulations like that.

You need to know the life jacket requirements as well.

Check the Boat Before You Head Out

Finally, the marina staff should go over all the components of the boat you rent, let you know about any general rules, and just help you get comfortable operating it. They may also provide you a map or let you know where to go versus where not to go.

You should check the boat for any signs of damage so that you can report that before you head out. Otherwise, you might end up being charged for something you didn’t do.