Renting a boat is a lot like renting a car, and offers you access to a boat when you want it without the costs and hassles of maintenance and storage. Renting is also a great way to compare boat types and models before deciding which boat to buy. Just make sure you do your homework on the type of boat you’d like to rent, the local boating safety and piloting laws, and the insurance and other fine print details in the rental agreement.
Regulations
Different regulations are in place depending where you want to do a rent my boat. For example, in France, a coastal or inland license is required for any motorboat over 6hp. It is best to contact a Sam Boat advisor or check with the local port authorities before renting a boat without a license. If you don't have a permit, you have several options including renting a boat that doesn't require a license or renting a boat with skipper.
Boat Rental Pricing
Boat rental pricing runs the gamut. A motor boat rental tends to cost more than a sailboat; larger boats rent for more than smaller ones; fishing boat rentals cost less than renting luxury cruisers; and geography also plays a role. You can save a bit on hourly rates by renting over a longer period of time. Renting by the hour is the most expensive option when you look at per-hour cost. Full day rates bring that down, weekend boat rentals result paying even less per hour, and when you look at the big picture, on an hourly basis, comparatively a weekly boat rental is often the best deal.
Age Requirements to Rent a Boat
In most cases, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old to consider power boat rentals. In some others you may need to be 21 or even 25; the rental companies set their own policies and they may vary a bit from one to the next. Age requirements may be more flexible for a charter boat rental, since charters generally come with a captain who’s responsible for running the boat.