Travel

Sail Boat Hire – How to Rent a Sail Boat Safely

No matter your experience level or ability, renting a sailboat for just one day, week, or month to explore your dreams is an easy and accessible way to experience all that sailing has to offer. Find the best boat hire in Malta.

For your safety, you must become familiar with all the systems and equipment of the boat, conduct an inventory, and make sure you possess all required documents.

Cost

Sailboat rental costs can vary significantly, depending on the size and type of vessel you rent; larger yachts tend to be more costly. Furthermore, sailboat hire rates also depend on where your destination lies; trips to remote islands may incur extra charges in terms of additional fuel or food requirements, in addition to needing a skipper if not sailing it yourself.

If you prefer sailing without a captain, booking a bareboat charter could save money and is an ideal solution for beginner sailors and families. Although no license will be needed to sail (either the RYA Day Skipper practical certificate, an International Cruising Club certificate, or a national sailing license from your country of departure will suffice), specific requirements still need to be fulfilled for safe passage – these may include providing an RYA Day Skipper practical certificate (RSSC), an ICC or national sailing license valid in your departure location.

Some charter companies provide “plus expenses” rates. The cost can vary significantly between people depending on factors like itinerary and fuel use, docking each night versus anchoring out, whether or not parties will take place, marina visits planned out properly, etc. If visiting popular sailing destinations like the Mediterranean, this can quickly add up!

Safety

Safety should always be top of mind while sailing – whether renting out your sailboat or sailing alone – and preventive measures are essential in order to keep both yourself and your crew members safe while out on the water.

Before your sailing trip begins, a thorough pre-departure safety briefing should take place. This is particularly essential if people will use your boat without prior sailing experience; your pre-departure briefing should cover everything from emergency exits and fire extinguishers to plans for handling any unexpected challenges during their voyage.

Another critical safety measure involves remaining aware of your surroundings at all times. While it’s easy to be drawn in by nature’s beauty and forget what’s around you, doing this on a boat is dangerous. Make sure not to “zone out,” staying aware at all times when maneuvering it and watching for anything that moves on board, like spars and booms, as well as any coiled lines that could pose a tripping hazard.

An attentive safety approach, including wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), will help prevent sailing accidents and fatalities. Also, be sure to create a float plan that details all passengers aboard, trip itinerary details, boat type description, andons of any no-wake zones.

Documentation

To enjoy your sailboat rental safely, specific documentation is required of you in order to do it right. These include the rental agreement, passenger names and passport numbers of all those traveling onboard, sailing license (if not hiring a skipper), yacht insurance policy if renting for more than one day, etc.

As part of your pre-departure preparations, always read through your booking confirmation in detail to gain a greater understanding of what’s included and what items need to be brought with you, along with any procedures relating to check-in procedures. It would also be prudent to get a basic map of the area that you will be sailing in and an app for weather forecasting purposes.

If you have any inquiries or require assistance when renting your boat or providing the necessary documents for it, don’t hesitate to contact a GlobeSailor advisor. They are there to make your sailing holiday enjoyable while keeping everything running smoothly – they even provide a list of extras often included with rentals, such as outboard motors for dinghies, bedding, and consumables that may come free with your rental price! Additionally, they will recommend local attractions so that your vacation experience goes as smoothly as possible!

Insurance

Boat rental companies can choose from various insurance policies designed to cover multiple risks associated with boating. Policies typically protect charter hire income loss and machinery coverage at an agreed value, search and rescue costs for injured passengers, actual cash value (ACV) vs. replacement cost payment if the vessel is lost/damaged, temporary dockage/moorage fees, as well as damages caused by named storms like hurricanes, etc.

Your coverage options for your business will depend on your tolerance for risk. If you are starting or lack experience in sailing, for instance, less protection will likely be necessary than for more seasoned operators. In order to lower costs further and decrease coverage amounts further still, reducing navigation areas declared or completing sailing courses are good ways to lower them.

As with renting any boat to friends or family members, a separate insurance policy should cover personal belongings that may become damaged on board. Furthermore, be mindful to review each policy’s terms and conditions carefully – some policies exclude liability in cases of skipper negligence, for instance.

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