Boat Renting Tips

Taking your family out on the water for a day’s cruising in a boat is a great way to spend a weekend. Not everyone has the capacity to own and keep a boat at home, though. So when you want to have a marine adventure, renting a boat is a great choice. You’ll have your pick of different styles of boats, you won’t have to tow anything to the lake and you don’t have to maintain the boat yourself. What could be simpler? At North Georgia Watersports, located in Blairsville, Georgia, we know all the ins and outs of boat rental and have drawn up this guide to help you know what to expect. When you’re looking for some great party boats and fishing boats for rent, come see us!

Renting From A Local Dealer

You’ll be able to try out new models and styles of boats when you rent at a marina for so much less than it costs to buy and maintain your own boat. Here at North Georgia Watersports, we update our fleet frequently with the newest models so you can benefit from all the latest technology, as well as being able to use boats in excellent condition. We take care of our boats so you don’t have to worry about anything going wrong. Your only costs are the initial rental and the fuel. Renting can be done on an hourly basis, or if you want to cruise the whole day, we can offer a discount on rentals up to eight hours! Plus, with our modern boats, fuel efficiency is high which saves you more money and lets you go longer on a single tank.

Know Before You Go

Before you head to the lake, you’ll want to have an accurate headcount of everyone going on the boat and an idea of what you plan to do that day. If you want to tour, you should look into deck boats. Fishing? Go for a fishing boat or skiff. Bringing your ski A game? We have ski boats for waterskiing. Relaxing with a host of friends and family? A pontoon is ideal for that! We also have some great double-decker party boats, and some include slides for swimming fun.

Rules & Safety

Even when renting, you’ll need to be aware of the rules and regulations on the water. Each state has its own laws. In Georgia, those born on or after January 1, 1998, need to obtain the Georgia Boating Education course and obtain their Boating Education Card in order to operate motorized boats.

People over the age of 16 are allowed to operate motorized boats and personal watercraft on Georgia waters if they have proper identification on board.

Children under 12 are not permitted to operate a personal watercraft or a boat 16 feet or longer. They may, however, operate a boat under 16 feet in length with a motor under 30 horsepower with a competent adult present.

Children between 12 and 15 years of age may operate a personal watercraft or boat under 16 feet provided they’ve passed a boating education course and are accompanied by a competent adult.

General safety procedures and best practices should be followed by all boaters. Every passenger on a boat should know how to swim and should know how to wear a life jacket. There should be life jackets for everyone on board. Familiarize yourself with the locations of emergency equipment when you walk through the boat for the first time. Staying aware and using common sense can help prevent complications that can mess up your trip.

When you’re looking to catch some waves and rays on the water in Georgia, come down to see us at North Georgia Watersports. We can show you our great selection of ski boats, fishing boats, pontoons and more for rent so you and your family can have a memorable afternoon relaxing at the lake or on the coast. North Georgia Watersports is located in Blairsville, near Atlanta, serving the communities of Gainesville and Blue Ridge, Georgia.