If you’re looking to have a fun weekend with your family, relax with friends on a day off, or want to enjoy some alone time, sailing a boat is a great idea. However, owning a boat can be expensive and require a lot of work. Renting a boat is a more practical and affordable option. So if you’re thinking about renting a boat, here are 9 helpful tips to keep in mind.

Plan ahead
Planning to book a boat a few days before your trip may seem simple, but it can be difficult. On busy days like weekends and holidays, the availability of rental boats decreases, making it challenging to find the type of boat that suits your needs.

Choose a reputable boat rental company
There are several boat rental companies out there. To ensure a good experience, you need to rent a boat from a well-known company. When you opt for a reputable company, it will be easier to look for reviews of their services. Also, all their rules, regulations, and fees will be transparent. A good reputation ensures that you are dealing with professionals who will help you through the decision-making process of renting the right boat.

Pick the right boat type
If you plan to rent a boat for a day or two, it’s important to do some research beforehand. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. To simplify the process, consider what you want to use the boat for, such as a relaxing cruise or an exciting water sports adventure. By determining your needs, you can select a boat that fits your requirements.

Choose a boat based on your skills
It is important to pick a boat based on how much you know about boating. So pick a sailboat only if you are a pro at sailing. But if your boating skills are rusty, do not rent a super-powerful motorboat. You will be putting yourself and others in the boat at severe risk. So if you don’t know how to work a boat, get a professional pilot along while renting the boat.

Ascertain if the boat will fit everyone
Before renting a boat, you need to consider how many people will be there with you. If you are going solo, a small boat would do. But for more than two people, you can hire only specific boats. This is because most boats have a maximum capacity of passengers. So they can fit only a certain number of people. Knowing how many people will be joining you on your boating trip will help you decide on the type of boat you would want.

Check the cost to rent a boat
The most important aspect is to set up a budget. But before this, you need to know how much it costs to rent a boat near you. The prices will vary depending on the type of boat, the season, renting period, whether you have a membership and the geographical location. This will determine your total expenses for the boating trip. In most cases, the rental prices include a deposit that you pay before you head out with the boat.

Read through the rental agreement carefully
Once you have shortlisted a boat based on your budget and requirements, ask for the rental agreement. Enquire with the boat rental company if they are willing to share the agreement before you pay any deposit. Since such agreements are legally binding, ensure you read through them carefully. If certain points or fine print is unclear, get clarity from the company. Have all of these in writing before you agree to sign it.

Review the cancellation policies
In case you want to cancel your boat trip due to unavoidable and unforeseen circumstances, you don’t want to be trapped with unreasonable cancellation policies. Therefore, it’s important to review the cancellation policies before booking. Take note of the cancellation fees you may be charged and the number of days you have before the trip to cancel your booking. Some companies may return your full deposit if you cancel your booking within a specific period. It’s important to carefully read each boating company’s policies to understand their rules and regulations.

Check for insurance
Before you rent the boat you like, ensure it is insured. It is legally required for boat leasing companies to have insurance coverage for the customers and the boats. This ensures safety should anything untoward happen when you take out the boat on your trip. One of the most common insurance coverages is the damage liability for attached boat fixtures. Other coverages include compensation for medical treatments for any injuries sustained in the case of an accident.