Which Type of Boat is Best for You?

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From enjoying a tranquil experience around the Toronto Islands to navigating the open waters of Lake Ontario, send exotic destinations beyond, boating and sailing are wonderful experiences for everyone.

With so many types of boats for rent to choose from, how do you choose which one is the best for you? We’ll guide you through different types of boats and give you options on which boat you should rent!

Canoe/Kayak

Silently paddle through calm waters either solo or with a partner on either a canoe or kayak! For those looking for a quiet, relaxing experience, a canoe or kayak is pretty much perfect. Whether you’re going on a solo outing or with a partner, they’re ideal for exploring narrow waterways and shallow areas.

Canoes and kayaks are also excellent for fitness enthusiasts, as paddling provides a full-body workout. Whether you are exploring the Toronto Islands or a coastline, you’ll have a great time using a canoe or kayak.

Wine Tasting

Runabout

Take the family for a short ride in a protected harbour on a runabout! These are compact yet comfortable motor boats, offering a fun way to enjoy the water.

Mini Cruiser

A mini cruiser is ideal for a smaller group (four to eight people) on a motorboat. It has a small cabin, which is cozy, and the boat can drop anchor for a swim at a nearby beach. It’s best for people that want to have fun on the water but not blow the bank on a rental.

Luxury Yacht

This is where things start to amp up for your boat choice — be pampered by a private crew for up to 20 friends on a luxury yacht! These boats are often 35 to 60 feet long, and typically have servers offering gourmet meals, a fully stocked bar and all the amenities you need.

Super Yacht

This is how the billionaire class lives – a super yacht is the ultimate yacht for rent. It has all the features of a luxury yacht times 10 and goes far beyond in terms of your every need to be met. You’ll feel like a superstar with this kind of boat.

Sailing Dinghy

For those who want an adrenaline rush, a sailing dinghy provides a raw, hands-on sailing experience. These boats for rent only accommodate one to two people, but they’re exciting to sail in and you will get wet!

Sport Keel Boat

A sport keel boat is bigger than a dingy – it can carry three to five people – but it’s a real rush to sail on them. You’ll stay dry this time, too!

Luxury Sailing Yacht

With a dedicated crew catering to a group of eight to 12 people, a luxury sailing yacht is an amazing experience in Toronto. You can enjoy the water and wind in your hair and feel like you’re living the good life in a boat like this.

Catamaran

These boats for rent are just like a luxury sailing yacht, but a lot wider and rides flat when the winds pick up. These dual-hulled ships offer spacious decks, with a capacity for six to 18 people. A catamaran is a wonderful choice for a leisurely day on the water or just a get-together with friends or family.

Super Sailing Yacht

Party like an eco-conscious billionaire just like on the Below Deck Sailing series! These are much like a luxury sailing yacht, but they’re fully loaded experiences in exotic destinations, with a crew on board to cater to your every need. Food, drinks and fun at the highest levels are the name of the game here.

When you’re choosing a boat to rent, think about what kind of experience you want that day and which people are coming on board with you. Once you do that, all the options will fall into place!

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!

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