Boat Rentals with Kids: Are They Safe and Family-Friendly?

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With the warm wind returning to Toronto’s waterfront, most families are looking for new and interesting ways to spend their time outside. You’re a parent looking for something exciting, adventurous, and a little out of the ordinary, but an occupational day or a trip to the zoo isn’t something you do every weekend, so you wonder: Can I hire a boat in Toronto with my kids? The answer is yes! Renting a boat with kids is not only an adventure, but it can also be a lot of fun if you plan ahead of time, choose the right vessel, and choose a company you can trust, like Gone Sailing Adventure.

Why Consider a Family Boat Rental in Toronto?

Toronto has picturesque waterfronts, port marinas, and a serene Lake Ontario. The truth is that when you charter a boat in Toronto, you are opening up a new world of possibilities in which youngsters may learn about nature, water safety, and even the most fundamental boat operation skills while having the time of their lives.

Families in Toronto are increasingly choosing to hire boats because they are so adaptable. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly, sedate sailboat excursions, motorboat picnics, or a quick scenic trip around the Toronto Islands, there’s something for everyone, regardless of experience or age.

Are Boat Rentals Safe for Children?

Safety is one of the greatest concerns for parents, and they are entirely reasonable. Sailing on open water with children cannot be done without proper planning and safety procedures. The best part is that when you work with a well-established organization like Gone Sailing Adventure Company, nothing can go wrong because safety is always a priority. This is how we ensure that your family is properly prepared:

1. Certified Life Jackets for All Ages

Except for the one who can swim, every kid is given a Transport Canada-approved life jacket that fits comfortably. Before embarking on a journey, our accompanying person will assist you in dressing your child and ensuring their comfort and safety.

2. Experienced and Trained Skippers

When you rent a boat Toronto using our services, you may select a competent captain who is trained in first aid and emergency procedures. This ensures that you will have an unforgettable riding experience, and your captain will be in charge of navigating securely.

3. Stable and Spacious Vessels

We have family-friendly boats that are roomy, with plenty of seating, umbrella coverage, and safety railings. We ensure that you select the appropriate boat based on whether your family wants to be out on a quiet sailing boat or a steady speedboat.

4. Safety Briefing Before Departure

Each family is trained on safety before each excursion, utilizing a simple, step-by-step yet highly technical presentation that includes emergency procedure warnings, weather condition awareness, child care advice, and basic on-board guidelines.

5. Weather Monitoring and Cancellations

The weather will constantly be monitored, and we will never hesitate to postpone or reschedule the event if the weather is not ideal, especially for youngsters.

What Makes a Boat Rental Family-Friendly?

Aside from safety concerns, parents will want to know if their children will like the event. A boat rental Toronto experience with the Gone Sailing Adventure Company is always memorable:

1. Fun Activities Onboard

Whether it’s bird watching and seeing the CN Tower while lounging by the lake, or board games and picnics, there are plenty of simple things to keep the kids entertained during the voyage. Even sketchbooks and binoculars delight some families while also teaching them something.

2. Short Trip Options

Not every child is prepared to go on extended adventures. That is why our trips are only 1-2 hours on the boat, not enough time to fall asleep and have a nightmare at naptime.

3. Pet-Friendly Options

Many families see their dogs as crew members. We also offer pet-friendly boats, so you can bring your animal companions along.

4. Easy Access and Docking

We guarantee easy boarding processes with the fewest turns or lapses so that even children’s proceedings are secure and parents do not have to strain with luggage, pram, or quick bites.

Tips for Boating With Kids

You may make your family boating day as enjoyable and safe as possible by doing the following, while also doing your best to keep yourself safe and your family pleased:

  1. Bring snacks and water: Kids are small and they get hungry quickly, more so when excited and being out in the open.
  2. Pack sunscreen: Take sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.
  3. Layers: The water is strangely chill even when the sun is out.
  4. Manage expectations: Before the start of the trip, discuss boat rules with your children: stay seated and keep their hands in the boat.
  5. Record memories: take photos using a camera or a phone, and family boat trips will produce fantastic memories.

Why Choose Gone Sailing Adventure Company?

By renting a boat, Toronto families trust, you choose not only a boat, you get full-service with safety as a priority that promises to turn your day into joy and hassle-free. Gone Sailing Adventure Company is a company that deals with family-based boat rentals that integrate education and fun with safety. We are the local drinking experts of the Toronto waterfront. To help kids pass the day on the water, we are pleased to give some recommendations of the routes, sightseeing places, and peaceful anchorages

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
&
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