Lake Boat Rentals 101: What You Need to Know Before Renting!
Taking the time to prepare in advance for your day on Lake Okanagan can make a day of renting a walk in the (water) park.
The end of the school year is rapidly approaching for many kids here in BC, which can only mean one thing – summer is here! As with any classic Kelowna summer, that means it’s time to enjoy yourself out on the sea-nic Lake Okanagan.
It also means that boating season is in full swing! We highly recommend boating as a fun and memorable way to enjoy our backyard lake. Whether you’re planning on a high-adrenaline boating spree or a more relaxed pace kayak, it’s important to know the basics when it comes to renting boating equipment.
Boats & Pontoons
Operating big motor vehicles (even on the water) comes with a lot of responsibility. But all that weight on your shoulders can be made lighter with the right preparation. Once you’ve decided what type of boat you want to rent, here are some things to keep in mind while making your reservation:
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Boating License and Regulations: A boating license is required to operate a boat, but if you don’t have one, we supply you with a temporary boater’s license when you rent with Downtown Marina! You just need to be 19 years of age or older to rent and you must remain sober while driving. With Okanagan boat rentals, it’s important to know and obey all posted boating laws.
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Rental Agreement: Legal stuff can be boring but having it all in order in advance will make the day off knot too shabby! Ensure you read your boat rental agreement carefully before you sign so you know what you’re agreeing to – this includes preparing a deposit, knowing what damages you can be liable for, what our cancellation policies are (48 hours in advance), and more
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Plan for the Day-Of: To have enough time to finalize the paperwork, check you in, give you a full tour of your boat rental (including a rental check for any existing issues) and run through all the safety features, we recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time. This allows for you to have a smooth check-in process and ensures you’re getting the most of your time and money actually out on the water
Jet-Skis
The basics for renting boats are applicable to Jet Skis too! However, there are some additional considerations to be aware of before hopping on.
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Operating: Driving a jet-ski is different from driving a boat, but thankfully that doesn’t mean it’s more difficult. Just like with renting boats, if you’re renting a jet-ski for the first time, we’ll give you a run-through on how to operate one. But if it’s your first time, it can be helpful to learn more online first.
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Photos of the Jet Ski: Since Jet Skis are much smaller than boats, it’s much easier to check if damage has been done after use. Even though we will do a rental check for existing issues with you, it can be smart to take pictures of your vehicle prior to use to ensure you’re not being charged for conditions you did not cause
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Gas: Here at Downtown Marina, we provide all our vehicles with a full tank of gas and only charge for what you used. With the allure of more freedom to explore (especially during our fin-tastic Kelowna tourism season) on a jet-ski, ensure you’re factoring this in when budgeting
Kayaks & Paddleboards
Even though kayaks and paddleboards are powered by your own muscle instead of a motor, it’s important to take rental preparation seriously! Just as if you were renting a motor vehicle, take your time with paperwork and understand what your responsibilities are with Kelowna kayak and paddleboard rentals.
Additionally, even though we rent rain or shine, the weather is something extra to consider when kayaking or paddleboarding, as they’re more susceptible to windy and stormy days. If renting in advance, keep in mind that rental cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance are still charged for “bad weather” unless the weather is completely unfit for boating (lightning and thunder). Take advantage of our early bird deals to avoid this!
You can never be too prepared when it comes to operating motor vehicles! Before heading out on the water, check out some of our quick boating safety tips: Boat Safety Checklist.
Kelowna’s Downtown Marina loves the lake life and wants its passion to be accessible to all. Located in the heart of downtown, getting on the lake has never been more convenient. Visit kelownadowntownmarina.com or stop by to rent your very own boat for an hour, a day, or a week.