Summer is a beautiful time of year to be on a boat cruising the Adriatic Sea and Dubrovnik Archipelago in search of hidden bays and crystal clear water for swimming or fishing. Don’t have a boat? That’s not a problem. We’ll share some great tips with you about what you need to know before renting boats in Dubrovnik this summer.
The Dubrovnik Archipelago is one of the most picturesque places in Croatia. The crystal clear water, great fishing and wildlife makes it the perfect choice and it’s an ideal destination for a day-long boat ride with friends or family! But how do you find out which boat rental company to choose from? If you already don’t have some recommendations from your friends or colleagues which company to go with, probably the best option is to do some online research on Google or similar search engines. A few things are essential, and you should know the following:
Each country has different age and license requirements for boaters. Each boat or vessel must be properly registered and insured for a specific type of rental either with a skipper or without so this could be an important thing to know in advance. Boat rental operator/skipper is required to have a valid boat license, which is regulated by the local Harbormasters’ offices. Boat registration specifies how many persons can be onboard and in which sail area the boat can operate. Not all the boats are registered for international sailing so it’s very important to know if you are allowed to sail and visit Montenegro for example.
For those wishing to rent a boat in Dubrovnik, by Croatian law you must be over 16 years old and you have to have a valid boat license. To obtain a boat licence you should successfully complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a Croatian Boat Licence which is issued by the local Harbourmaster office. The test is held at the Harbourmaster office and can be attended every 2 weeks depending on the number of people applying for the test. Some more info can be obtained here.
You do want to make sure you take a close look at the rental agreement before signing and possibly beforehand. Some companies or agreements may limit how far from shore your boat can go, while some companies don’t allow tubing or skiing (due to safety reasons). Most companies do require that the boat should be returned by nightfall so it’s important not to get caught out there after dark!
Something can always break on the boat so normal wear and tear is expected, but if you come back with a damaged propeller or scratched boat by improper and unconcerned docking, you’re likely going to have to pay for the damage. One more thing should be emphasized in the rental agreement and that is the cancellation options due to weather conditions. Usually, all the companies are very flexible in this matter as safety is first priority, so cancellations are always free due to weather conditions.
Another important thing what you need to know before renting boats is the insurance of course! Renting a boat is usually an adventure, but sometimes unexpected things can happen without notice. It’s important that a rental company’s liability coverage is outlined in your boat rental agreement. Liability coverage protects you from being held liable for accidents or damages that happen during your rental period. The boat rental company should outline their liability in the agreement as they can hold you responsible for everything that happens to the boat or motor, even if it’s not caused by you!
Rental Insurance tip: Professional boaters who do rent boats quite often usually have their own insurance which covers the situations like this. It might be wise to contact your insurance agent to find out what kind of rental coverage you’re eligible for under your policy during boat rental.
Boats and their maintenance are expensive. The last thing you want is an expensive headache when renting a boat. For this reason, make sure to list any issues with the boat before taking the keys and starting up the engine. Prior damages to the hull are very common so better to take note of all those damages than pay for something that wasn’t done by you! Pay some attention to the following:
Still, in my opinion, the most important thing you need to know before renting boats is the safety equipment! Boats are obligated to have all the safety equipment required by the boat registration licence. When you rent a boat, it’s important to know what safety equipment is on board and how to use it! Make sure your rental company gives an instructional tour of their vessel before leaving!
Safety Tips: Most important boat safety equipment is a lifejacket of course. Do make sure that your boat rental company provides life jackets for adults and for children as well if you plan to bring them on board. Children are obligated by law to wear lifejackets at all times during boat sailing.
Now all that’s left to do is rent a boat. If you haven’t checked already do take a look at our blog How do you choose the perfect rental boat? Now when you are prepared for your summer boat trip in Dubrovnik, all you need is to Rent a Boat at Dubrovnik Boat Rent. Give us a call and see why we are the best boat rental company in Dubrovnik!
