What to Do If Your Boat Rental Toronto Service Cancels Last Minute: Tips and Alternatives

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In Toronto, a water day packed with fun activities is always one of the most exciting things to do. Whether you want to make a special day, arrange a get-together with friends, or simply take in the beautiful Lake Ontario view, a boat rental Toronto outing is always the right decision. The city’s waterfront is full of life, and a boat rental will allow you to have the stunning skyline view at your ease, feel the cool air, and create wonderful memories.

So, what if your plans don’t go as planned? Picture a scenario where you receive a notice of cancellation from your boat rental Toronto service just a few hours before your departure. The day you were anticipating for either relaxation or thrill has now become a disappointment. The cancellation t might occur due to several reasons like a sudden change in the weather, a technical problem with the boat or any other reason which is beyond your control.

It is important to know, that a cancellation does not necessarily have to ruin your day. If you use the right method, you can easily change your schedule, find other options, and still enjoy your time. Sometimes, these unplanned situations can result to getting fantastic experiences that you did not even think of. Discussed below is what you should do when your boat rental is suddenly canceled and some creative ways about how you can still have a good day.

1. Stay Calm and Communicate with Your Boat Rental Toronto Service

The first step to take when things turn unexpected is to remain calm. Get in touch with your boat rental Toronto service as soon as possible and inquire for details about the cancellation.

Usually, safety is the first reason behind a cancellation, issues such as very strong wind direction, an approaching storm, or a piece of equipment breaking down can put you in danger. Along with other reasons, trustworthy firms like Gone Sailing Adventure will bring you on board solutions to the problem. You can change your sailing adventure to another day, however if changing the appointment is not possible, then do not hesitate to ask for a refund or a credit that you can use later. Communicating well with one another will offer a quick solution to your cancelled trip

2. Look for Same-Day Alternatives and Rent a Boat Toronto Quickly

If your plan is still to be on the water, find another company where you can quickly rent a boat Toronto and go with it. There are various rental companies in Toronto from where you can charter a boat. At Gone Sailing Adventure we keep a few boats reserved for last-minute bookings.

You can easily locate a variety of places closer to you where you can rent a boat last minute by visiting different websites, calling different marinas, or just googling “last-minute boat rental nearby”.

3. Explore Other Water-Based Activities

If you can’t hire an alternative boat for a water trip, don’t panic there are plenty of other activities you may enjoy in Lake Toronto. The following are some other water activities you can try:

Kayak or Paddleboard Rentals: It is an excellent and energetic way to be closer to the water and still having a great view of the city. 

Toronto Island Ferry: The ferry trip is great to the islands for fun, beach walking, or an easy bike ride. 

Waterfront Dining: Many restaurants around Harbourfront provide lakeside patios that are perfect for enjoying a great meal with beautiful views of the lake. 

4. Consider a Land-Based Adventure

There are times when poor weather conditions make it better to be on the land, but it does not necessarily mean the day must be boring. Toronto is a great city that has a variety of attractions to change your day into a new kind of adventure. Some of the land-based adventure you can consider are:

Visit the Distillery District: Take a stroll down the old streets, visit the artistical shops, and dine at one of the restaurants. 

Discover Toronto’s Food Scene: Plan a tasting tour for the next day or try out an obscure restaurant in the city for lunch. 

Check Out Cultural Attractions: Besides, the Royal Ontario Museum or Art Gallery of Ontario might be your next destination to break up the rainy-day blues with a dose of culture. 

5. Prepare for Next Time

Planning for future is the best thing you can do after your trip has been cancelled. Next time you decide to go on a sailing trip, pick a boat rental Toronto company that allows you to change the date of your trip or cancel it without any inconvenience, for instance, Gone Sailing Adventure. It is also a good idea to schedule your trip during off-peak hours to ensure that you will have more rental companies to choose from and also a few backup activities. That way, if anything happens to go wrong, you will still have other options to turn to instead of feeling stuck.

Let the journey begin, a world of adventures, relaxation, and memories awaits!

YOUR SAFETY IS AT RISK

When considering chartering a yacht in Canada, we know you have many options. Some of these options look super exciting and at ridiculously great prices. Recent trends in the industry have opened the door for many unqualified individuals to purchase boats and offer charter services to the unsuspecting public. It’s easy to create a website and even easier to just list a boat on sites such as Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, Getmyboat, Boat Setter and many others.

Unfortunately, many of these operators are NOT licensed, insured or qualified to accept your trust on the water.

In order to be licensed and insured a number of items MUST be in place. Listed are just a few.

  • The operator must be licensed by Transport Canada with a commercial license known as either:
    – Limited Master under 60tonne.
    – Small Vessel Operators Permit (SVOP).
  • The name of the vessel must be visible on the stern (back) or the registration number beginning with the letter “C” must be visible on the side of the vessel near the front. Boats with a registration number beginning with “ON” are not licensed for passengers.
  • If the vessel is under 12m (40’) it should participate in the Transport Canada Small Vessel Compliance Program and display a “Blue Decal” and have corresponding certificate.
  • If the vessel is over 12m (40’) or carries more than 12 passengers, it MUST BE INSPECTED by Transport Canada and have an inspection certificate on board.
  • All vessels must have commercial liability insurance and coverage specifically for the number of passengers approved to be carried on board.
  • The vessel must comply with commercial safety requirements beyond recreational standards. Many of these illegal operators do not have the proper training, carry proper safety equipment, nor do their recreational boats meet the design/construction requirements of a commercial, passenger carrying vessel. These illegal operators try to stay under the radar of Police/OPP/RCMP/Transport Canada by:
  • hiding the name of their vessel by hanging items over the stern
  • not letting you know where they will have you board until just before the start of your charter.
  • pick you up at a public park (where docking is not permitted).
  • suggest to you that you are friends of the owner/operator out for a ride and not a paying customer.
  • allow you to drink alcohol while the boat is underway (illegal-same as a car) but tell you to hide your bottles etc.
  • insist on a cash transaction or part of it as a way of defrauding the internet listing company.
  • Make you sign a “Charter Agreement” just before you board without giving you details of the document beforehand.

    Over the last few years there have been a number of deaths and even more accidents resulting from these types of operators. Be safe and know who you are getting on a boat with. All licensed operators should willingly display their credentials, and most are members of the Passenger & Commercial Vessel Association (PCVA).

    Link to Global News Report on Charter Accidents

Check before you book
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Know before you Go!

Oct 4th & 5th

Experience Toronto's Water/Fall Festival on the Water

Choose a 60 or 90 min sailing experience from 54.99pp