Tag Archives: pontoon rentals

Renting a Pontoon Boat: Things to Consider

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Imagine spending one last summer day on the lake. Riding through the waters with wind in your hair, or just casually cruising through the lake as a way of relaxation – either way a pontoon boat rental will be perfect. Prior to renting, there are some things to consider and think about to make sure that you are prepared for your day on the water. At Motor Boatin’, we want all our renters to be well-informed, safe, and of course, have fun when they are out on the water.

Here are three things to consider before renting a pontoon boat:

  1. Number of people: Before renting, it is important to get a head count of how many people will be in attendance. At Motor Boatin’, we offer boat rentals that can hold up to 10 to 14 people. It is also important to establish the number of people to get the correct amount of life vests. For every person on the boat, there must be a life vest. Every child 13 and under needs to be wearing one while in motion under North Carolina law.
  2. Activity: Figuring out what you intend on using the pontoon for ahead of time is important. Are you wanting a peaceful day on the water, a day full of water sports, or a casual afternoon fishing? All our boats can pull a tube, but not all of them are capable of hovering which is important when fishing. Figuring out what you want to do on the water beforehand is helpful, so you can rent the boat that best first your needs.
  3. Driving the boat: When renting a boat, you are going to have to drive it, so you need to make sure somebody in the party knows what they are doing and is comfortable with it. With Motor Boatin’, you must be 26 years old or older to rent and operate our equipment. If that applies to you, taking a refresher course online to go over all the mechanics and instructions for driving a boat can be beneficial just to make sure you are ready to safely go out on the water with passengers.

At Motor Boatin’, we want everyone to have a great day out on the water with friends and family. Contact us today to browse your boat rental options while the weather is still great!

Port or Starboard – Nautical Terms You Need to Know

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While boating, first-time boaters are introduced to what seems like a whole dictionary of terms that might be new to them. Port, starboard, windward, leeward – What does it all mean? It can become difficult to try to figure it all out while out on the water, so Motor Boatin’ is here to help break these nautical terms down so you’re prepared beforehand.

Here are some common nautical terms you need to know before boating:

  1. Port vs Starboard: You’ve probably heard the words port and starboard at least once. While they might seem complex at first glance, they really just mean left and right. If you are standing at the back of the boat looking forward, the left side will be the port side and the right side will be the starboard side. These terms make it easier for orientation purposes. Some people remember this by knowing that the words “Port” and “Left” both have four letters.
  2. Bow / Forward: The front end of every boat is called the bow. When an individual moves toward the bow, it would be said they are going forward.
  3. Stern / Aft: The back end of every boat is called the stern. When an individual moves toward the stern, it would be said they are going aft.
  4. Windward vs Leeward: As you may be able to guess from the name, windward is the direction from which the wind is blowing. Leeward is the opposite direction from which the wind is blowing. Sometimes these are used to describe where other boats are currently located.

Soon, you’ll be boating like a pro! Understanding basic nautical terms is always helpful in tense situations while out on the water, especially for first timers. Currently looking for a boat rental company in the local Triangle area? Choose Motor Boatin’ and reserve a spot today!