Best Affordable Options For Boat Lovers

Boating is a great experience and perfect for spending time with your family and friends on the water. Unfortunately, enjoying the ocean breeze on a boat can be quite costly for many people. 

The good news is that you don’t need to own a boat to enjoy that experience. Boat lovers have a chance to continue doing what they desire without breaking the bank. 

Boat sharing is a wonderful way to ensure that you have the summer that you and your family are hoping for. There are several options to choose from if you are interested in boat sharing. 

Companies that allow customers to share boats have different rules and guidelines depending on their own policy and what the state requires. 

Boat sharing will leave you with a lot of questions such as whether you need a license or not, if you need insurance, who is responsible for the damages, who pays for gas, if there is training involved, etc. 

Here are the best options if you’re looking to share a boat:

Boat renting from owners

The most popular option for boat sharing is similar to renting a home that was listed as an Airbnb for visitors to spend the night at. This option is great if you are looking to rent in different cities and want to experiment with yachts, rowboats, sailboats, kayaks, and more. 

It gives you the freedom to not become a member at a company that requires an annual fee. Most companies will include a fee that covers insurance or support services. 

Companies such as Boatsetter and GetMyBoat are great markets to explore for renting. Although it is great and flexible, you might find yourself paying extra fees such as leaving the boat dirty, returning it late, not filling up the gas, and even not showing up after you decided to not rent it. 

Find a boat club

Joining a boat club is one of the best ways to stay within your budget. They also offer great services such as training and maintenance that is done monthly, but depending on the boat club you could get charged a fee for signing up. 

If you are not sure about where to find a boat club, ask around your community and do an extensive research online. Once you find a boat club you want to join, make sure that you read the contract carefully and understand what kind of responsibilities are expected from you and if there are any additional costs in the future. 

Boat clubs offer great benefits and flexible choices for sailing and rowing, but the policies and rules will be different for each state. 

Timeshares

Timeshares with boating is similar to how it works with properties on a ski mountain or a tropical island. You have to read the contract carefully before signing it and have all your questions answered. 

The agreement between both parties lasts for a year or more, depending on your choice. It is another great option for flexibility and affordable prices.