Re: rental boats .. all Personal choice
[ Follow Ups ] [ 1998 Abaco Message Board ]
Posted by Carolina Carol on November 17, 1998 at 07:41:06:
In Reply to: rental boats .. again posted by John on November 17, 1998 at 06:45:30:
Allow me to further muddy the water!! Our choices have usually been dictated by availability. We have often gone on school holidays, high rental seasons and then ended up with little or no choice.
That said, we have rented from Rich's and been satisfied. We also rented from LaSue and were also quite satisfied. We always stay on Elbow, so we want something in Marsh that allows us to load baggage and groceries once and unload at our cottage.
Other concerns: we don't go out if the water is so choppy that people are going to be uncomfortable, because the main reason we go anywhere is to snorkel, swim, or spear fish. None of that is very successful if the water is real stirred up.
In our experience, increased engine power, means we can go places more easily in mild chop, medium winds, and handle the storm that may pop up while we are exploring Guana or MOW. I have seen inflatable dinghies with four people puttering along to Sandy Cay, from goodness knows wheree. But personally, I don't think I could handle that type of rocking.
We try very hard to stay within our limits and the boat's limits. We do NOT fish from the boat on the "outside" and consider that taking a whaler size craft through any of the channels under anything but flat calm, takes some local knowledge. So I would say:
Be honest about your skill level.
Take a look around and see how many people are actually out on the water.
Listen to the cruiser's net.
Operate your boat at less than the maximium.
Let the weather dictate your schedule: if it is sunny and smooth, GO somewhere!! if not, stay closer to home base.
In my experience, all of the boat rental operators are remarkable tolerant of tourists, and our lack of knowledge. I have heard stories of abuse to boats, of boats sunk, lost, you name, due only to the ignorance of the renter.
Sometimes you will have a choice of which boat to rent, if you do, try and balance the factors discussed below, such as stability, versus, rough ride, and go with it.
There is no one best choice for everyone!!
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