While boating can be very exciting, the cost of ownership can be expensive,

time-consuming for repairs, maintenance, difficult for storage / towing, etc.

An alternative way for having fun on the lake is RENTING!

Keep it Simple, you came to have fun on the lake!

With more and more people enjoying the lakes and rivers every year, it's important for everyone that boaters educate themselves on boating skills and seamanship.

There are a few things you need to know before you get on the lake.

Check on the rental companies: 

Do they operate out of one of the marinas or

Do you have to meet a stranger on a boat ramp somewhere?

Seem harmless?

Credit card fraud, bad business ethics, why don't they have a facility?

Call the marinas 

Do they have a lease or contract with the city? 

Contact the city

Most professional boat rental companies have a contract with one or both of these and if not, why not?

Do they have insurance or comply with rules & regulations? 

When choosing a boat rental company, find out if the boats are already in the water or do you have to:

Meet a stranger on some boat ramp or tow to the lake, launch the craft, have towing insurance, etc. Do you even know how to tow? Do you want your car insurance to cover THEIR equipment while towing? Do you even have a tow hitch? Will you have to find one to rent? Do you have to tow it back by a certain time, and what are any penalty charges if you're late? Flat tires? Tickets? Equipment failure? Accidents? Okay now that you have a hitch and insurance. By the time you Tow N Go, now it's time to get to the lake (traffic? how long will it take to get to the lake?), pay to get into the park or boat ramp, get set up to enjoy the rental, got fuel? remember you have to return it back by a specified time. How much did this all day event really cost?

How about a company that you can only email to make a reservation?  Are you going to give a credit card number to someone over the internet and not know who they are, see the equipment or verify an establishment (credit card fraud)? Does the marina, city or the Corps of Engineers who monitor some Texas lakes even know they are doing business at their location? Do they have a license to operate? Is the company registered with the Texas Comptroller to pay any sales tax they are collecting? When a company does not have a phone number to call with their valid address to visit  or hides their contact information on their website (Whois), what else are they hiding?

Be careful of the companies that rent set times for Half - Full days to show how much cheaper their prices are. Most of them start at 7 or 8 am to11 am or 12 pm and 11 or 12 to 3 or 4 pm. What really happens is that you will be paying for unused time as they do not discount if you want more or less time. They say a 1/2 day is based on their 4 hrs, so if you only use it 2 or 3 hrs., you're overpaying. Are you really going to stay on a boat for 10 hrs.(ex.9am - 7pm)? If you want 6-7hrs., WOW! You are locked in to pay that set fee, so how much did that rental REALLY cost! Free pick up & delivery, when does your time really start?

Are you going to stay on the boat all the time or is there facilities to kick back and really relax like picnic tables, food, drinks etc. or are you just dropped off on any boat ramp and you are just on your on.

Do they have all necessary safety equipment? Do they take the time to give both written and verbal instructions to operate the watercraft safely? Or if you are a never-done-this-before driver, will they take the time to educate you until you feel comfortable and confident or do they just give you the key and let you figure it out?

Are gas and oil extra or is it included in the cost of their prices? Do they make you wait after the rental time to fill with gas and oil then charge you, was it even full before you left? 1st tank of gas free? If your using 10gal of gas an hour, is something wrong with their equipment that you use that much fuel? What happens after the 1st tank of fuel and they are not authorized to work out of one of the parks or marinas and you are using that much fuel?

It's scary if you're having trouble and they're nowhere to be found to help! Are you going to email them?

Do they have rain checks or cancellation polices?

Are they members of the local Chamber of Commerce?

Do the local businesses refer to them?

Have there been any complaints filed with The Better Business Bureau?

Keep it Simple, you came to have fun on the lake! Common sense tells us when something is too good to be true, it usually is not true. By the time a legitimate business purchases and maintains the equipment, pays rent to the marina, city or the Corps of Engineers, pays taxes, insurance, fuel costs and employees' salaries to provide services, the cost of business is understandable. Go to established businesses on the lake that work with the local cities / marinas and not to bogus websites that do not even operate out of locations they claim. Remember, the season is only for a few months of revenue so there are some untrustworthy companies.

This information is good to know to make your lake outing fun, safe, enjoyable and to keep from getting ripped off.  Please take the time and know before you go!