There’s nothing more exciting than incorporating a boat into your vacation. Boating is the perfect way to explore new adventures, like water skiing or snorkeling, or to immerse yourself in your surroundings while you relax.
Renting a boat lets you enjoy fun with friends and family, and it’s easy to do so: you can rent one at most vacation spots near a body of water. Here are four reasons to consider renting a boat on your next vacation.
1. You Don’t Need Any Boating Experience
Worried that renting a boat will require experience on the water and knowledge of how to drive a boat? Don’t be – many boat rental facilities and marinas will give you a quick, free lesson when you rent. Or, if you don’t want to man the boat at all, many rental facilities offer captain services, pairing an experienced boat captain with your rental so you can play all day without worrying about the boat.
An experienced captain could teach you how to pilot the boat, or pilot it for you. It’s entirely up to you how you’d like to put a captain’s services to use when renting. Many people rely on the captain to drive so they’re free to entertain, relax, or hop in the water.
2. It’s More Affordable Than Owning a Boat
Renting can be much more cost effective than buying in many situations – and like renting a car on vacation, renting a boat is perfect for short-term needs. Renting a boat is the best, most affordable option if you’re vacationing far from home or if you don’t live near a body of water.
Boats are very expensive – they cost as much as $20,000 per foot according to GetMyBoat.com¹. Buying a boat is only a smart idea if you plan to use it regularly. Otherwise, tens of thousands of dollars will simply sit in your driveway or in a marina dock, going to waste. Boats also depreciate in value, losing thousands of dollars in resale value each year just like a new car.
When you rent a boat, you don’t have to spend thousands. According to Angie’s List², the average cost of renting a pontoon boat for a whole day is just $300, and renting a speedboat that can pull water skiers will cost just $50 more. You only pay for the time you’d like to use the boat with no upfront cost. And everything is included, from life jackets to insurance.
3. It Offers Endless Fun and Relaxation
On vacation, there are two goals most travelers have: relaxing and having fun. A boat offers the perfect opportunity to accomplish both. Whether you’re vacationing near a lake, the ocean, or a river, renting a boat gives you the chance to spend one day or your entire trip exploring different activities – or the chance to do nothing but unwind.
Rent a boat, and you can travel to different places on the open sea or around a lake. You can hop in the water to swim, snorkel, or lounge in inner tubes. More adventurous vacationers can try water skiing or wakeboarding behind the boat. Don’t want to do much? You can fish off the side of the boat, relax on board in the sun or shade, or even anchor near the shore to enjoy the beach.
4. You’ll Bond More on a Boat
It may sound silly, but renting a boat will bring you and whoever you’re on vacation with closer. Boats can actually inspire better bonding with others; a study by the National Marine Manufacturers Association2 found that relaxing onboard a boat was considered one of the best ways to socially connect on vacation. Those who’d gone boating while on vacation reported spending 95 percent of their time on the water relaxing and socializing with friends and family.
If you want to enjoy an activity that you, your friends, and your family will remember for years to come, renting a boat is the perfect choice. You’ll create memories together whether you’re simply hanging out onboard or hitting the water for some skiing, swimming, or snorkeling. And it’s one of the easiest things to accomplish when you choose to rent – you’ll be able to spend as much time as you’d like on the water with your favorite people.
Renting a Boat Makes Any Vacation Better
Renting a boat on vacation is fun, affordable, and enjoyable. Whether you rent a boat for a few hours, a day, or your entire vacation, you’ll get the chance to relax, connect with friends an family, and enjoy a whole host of different activities on the water.
When you’re planning your next vacation, consider adding a boat rental into your trip. With a little research on the area you’re traveling to, you can find local boat rental options and compare what’s available. Don’t forget to compare costs, as boat rental facilities may offer deals and discounts when you’re planning to rent. You can also search for different activities and options for fun out on the water.
Like anything, it’s always a good idea to be aware of the latest research. We recommend comparing at least 3 or 4 options before making a final decision. Doing a search online is typically the quickest, most thorough way to discover all the pros and cons you need to keep in mind.
