Launch A Rental Boat, While on Vacation

Tips for Renting A Boat with content from our friends at Freedom Boat Club

For most boaters, it wouldn’t be a true vacation without spending some time on the water. But what if you don’t own a boat or can’t take your own on vacation? You could go on a charter boat, but many families like the freedom to decide their own itinerary on the water. Fortunately, taking the helm of a rental boat or being part of a boat club is an easy and often an affordable option for you and your family.

If you make the decision to rent a boat while on vacation, here are some helpful tips to make it a successful day on the water.

Start with Research

While planning your vacation, do some online research for what rental boat options are available in the areas where you are vacationing. It’s also a good idea to check the boating regulations where you are going. Some states require you to take an online class and pass a test before you can rent a boat. And don’t forget to research the local waterways so you’re familiar with changing tides or other precautions you may need to take.

Boat Rental Types and Price Estimates

Pricing of a rental boat depends a lot on what type of boat you choose and how competitive the boat rental market is.

Pontoon boats are popular rentals because they are roomy, easy to drive, stable and allow for a wide range of activities. Costs for a 20–24-foot pontoon boat ranges from $220-$400 for a half-day to $300-$700 for a full day rental.

If you are headed to an area with tides and potential rough water, center console boats or runabouts are great choices for inshore and/or offshore boating. Rental prices can range from $300 for a half-day to more than $1,000 for a full day rental.

If there are certain activities you enjoy on the water, choosing the right boat is a must. If water skiing or wakeboarding is your hobby, a ski boat rental may be available to you. If you and your family want to fish, check to see if fishing-compatible rentals are available.

The Benefits of a Boat Club

If you travel or vacation a lot, a boat club could be a perfect solution to your away-from-home boating desires.

There are many benefits to boat clubs, which offer a fleet of boats in various sizes and styles. And, depending on the club, they may be located across multiple states. Larger boat clubs like Freedom Boat Club have more than 285 locations around the world and also take care of all maintenance and storage fees as well as provide hands-on boat operation training to all club members.

Help is Always Available

As a Sea Tow member, you are covered on any boat you rent, wherever you plan to go. If you have additional questions about boat rentals , don’t forget to reach out to the local Sea Tow captain in the area where you’ll be vacationing. You can find the local captain via Sea Tow’s website, and you can even connect with their social media account to get up to date information such as local boat traffic, weather, tides and much more.

Final Thoughts

Renting a boat while on vacation can be an easy solution that prevents you from having to tow your boat over long distances, find trailer parking, fuel, etc. But remember, having the right boat to fit your needs is a must. Also, remember to designate a Sober Skipper so you and the rest of the passengers aboard can boat safely. With enough research, you’ll be at the helm of a rental boat and enjoying your vacation in no time!

If you found this article helpful or entertaining, please consider a donation to the Sea Tow Foundation today to help us continue our efforts to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.

Sea Tow Foundation Launches Our Newly Redesigned Website

We are excited to launch our newly redesigned website that is packed with information for recreational boaters to help keep family and friends safe on the water. The refreshed website also has resources for the marine industry to utilize in their promotions to reach out to their customers.

One of the amazing features of our new site, which is still found at boatingsafety.com, is that it is now completely functional and responsive on mobile and desktop versions allowing information to be easily found and shared related to our Life Jacket Loaner Program and our Sober Skipper program as well as plenty of other boating safety resources including our online shop, which now boasts plenty of printed materials and program supplies available for free or can be downloaded and printed at no charge at your home or office.

A favorite feature on our “Get Involved” page allows our supporters to interact with each other in ways we’ve never explored before which will provide an even greater value to the boating community nationwide, at no charge to them. Registration is free and you’ll not only receive access to our new newsletter, but also be able to join groups of dedicated people who are already working together to eliminate boating under the influence and reduce drowning incidents.

Our blog has been completely redesigned and is now easier to search for articles about boating safety classes, seasonal boating safety tips, being prepared for a day on the water, and so much more.

We hope you like the changes, and if you have any feedback, please let us know on Facebook and Instagram or click on the Contact Us link on our website.

Tips for Loading and Unloading Your Vessel at the Boat Ramp

With boating season for most of the country underway, countless boaters are already out sharing in one of America’s greatest pastimes. This can sometimes lead to lines at the boat ramp and busy waterways, which at times, can lead to problems. In light of this, we wanted to make sure our members are prepared with a few boat-ramp tips to keep in mind as they kick-off the new season.

One Sea Tow member, Randall, recently reached out to tell us about he and his family’s recent fiasco at their local boat ramp. Instead of letting it bring him down, Randall wanted to share it as a learning experience to his fellow members far and wide.

Randall and his family were finishing up a fun day of jet skiing on their local waterway. Upon returning to the ramp, he and his son-in-law were loading the jet skis back onto the trailer when peril struck.

With constantly changing conditions – whether it’s weather, water current or something else – no two boating excursions are identical. The same can be said for loading and unloading at the ramp, something Randall and his family experienced firsthand.

Randall’s son-in-law approached the ramp and got out of the vehicle as he’d been taught – engine off and emergency brake set – however, it was low tide. The ramp was wet and the algae that had accumulated throughout the summer made the surface extremely slippery. Long story short, before they knew it, the truck had slid into the water.

In light of the situation, Randall wanted to share a few tips to help boaters who might find themselves in a situation similar to his, with the hope they might come out the other side safe, sound and dry. Below are a few of his tips:

1. “If the tide is half-to-low tide, I will lock the front axles on my four-wheel drive truck so that the front tires are mechanically locked in on drier pavement.”
   Sea Tow Says: This is a great practice to incorporate into your routine. Before backing down a ramp, note where the algae begins to accumulate and attempt to keep your vehicle off this area; you may not have the traction to recover your boat and trailer with the extra weight.  It may be necessary to wait until a higher tide, use a different lane of the ramp, or use a different ramp all together.
2. “If my son-in-law (or someone else) is unloading or loading, we use wheel chocks and have a driver stay in the seat.”
   Sea Tow Says: It’s always a good idea to have a buddy help you load up so that someone is readily available to react if things don’t go according to plan. Wheel chocks are a great tool to prevent any sort of sliding, but only if if they are used against the wheels that are NOT on algae.
3. “Those who are not helping load or unload should stay on land. No passengers are allowed in the truck if it’s on the ramp, just in case the vehicle does slide down.”
   Sea Tow Says: Follow in Randall’s family’s footsteps and have your friends and family wait on shore while you load up on the ramp.

In addition, we have a few tips of our own that both new boaters and those with years of experience can always practice to make sure the loading and unloading process goes as smoothly as possible.

1. Take the time to make sure everything is ready and aligned before you start loading or unloading. Inspect the ramp’s conditions. Ensure your trailer and boat are ready to be moved. Line everything up carefully to ensure a smooth and safe process.
2. Only back your trailer in as far as necessary. Backing it in too far may mean getting into the algae with your vehicle, as well as making it more difficult to properly seat your boat on the rollers or bunkers as you drive back up the ramp.
3. Be aware of conditions. Make note of the tide, wind speeds and current. If you’re fighting rougher conditions, it can make it very difficult to align the vessel properly. Try handy little tips like facing the trailer ever-so-slightly downstream to make things a little easier.
4. Make sure you’re ready for the worst. Your Sea Tow membership and a corresponding Sea Insure insurance plan can help you in case things go south.

Take the time to load and unload your boat the right way. Don’t become preoccupied with busy ramps or rushing to get home. Give yourself plenty of time and space. Take the proper care and you’ll be much more likely to have a safe and fun-filled day out on the water. After all, that’s what it’s all about!

This article has been republished by permission of Sea Tow and was published on their blog at https://www.seatow.com/BlogList/international/2019/4/Boating%20101%20Loading%20and%20Unloading%20Your%20Vessel%20at%20the%20Boat%20Ramp.  If you’d like to share your own boating story for consideration in the Sea Tow monthly newsletter, send them an email at info@seatow.com.

Sea Tow Foundation appoints 13 members to serve on inaugural North American Sober Skipper Advisory Council

In addition, an executive committee of four will direct and facilitate advisory council efforts including Gail R. Kulp, Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director; Michael Wesolowski. Sea Tow Foundation Director of External Relations; Kristen Frohnhoefer, Sea Tow Foundation Board President; and Wanda Kenton Smith, President, Kenton Smith Marketing.