Details

Published: December 13 2011

The best views of Fort Lauderdale are by boat – drifting leisurely along the New River and the Intracoastal Waterway, or zipping past the beaches on the Atlantic shore.

 Owning a boat can be a wonderful thing, but it’s not for everyone. There’s the cost of the boat and insurance, the cleanup, the maintenance, and the repairs. The alternative: boat rental.

 Boat rental can give you all the advantages, without the headaches.

Things to know:

Short-term or membership clubs: There are two basic plans for Fort Lauderdale boat rentals. Short-term plans offer half- or full-day rentals for a flat fee, generally $200 to just under $400, depending on the size of the boat. Membership clubs generally involve an initial fee, followed by monthly dues.

Rental advantages:  After the fee or dues, all you pay for is fuel. The boats come equipped with life vests. Best of all, when you’re done, you just turn in the key and walk away. The company deals with the cleanup.

Safety tips: Florida requires boaters born on Jan. 1, 1988 or later to take a boater safety course, either in a class or online. Information and links to companies that offer the course can be found at the Fish and Wildlife Commission site at http://myfwc.com/boating/safety-education/boating-courses.

A few companies that offer powerboat rentals in Fort Lauderdale are:

Best Boat Club and Rentals: it has two Fort Lauderdale locations, at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, 801 Seabreeze Blvd., 954-779-3866; and at the HYATT Pier 66, 2301 SE 17th St., 954-525-6666, http://www.fortlauderdaleboatrentals.com/Home.aspx.

Aquatic Adventures & Management: at Crazy Gregg’s Marina, 301 Seabreeze Blvd., 954-459-8020. They offer a discount for returning customers. http://www.aquaticboatrental.com/

Thunderboat Marine Service Center: A bit more south, at 1451 Old Griffin Rd, Dania Beach, 954-889-7505, http://www.thunderboatmarinecenter.com/custompage.asp?pg=rentals

Freedom Boat Club: Offers club membership, at Riverfront Marina, 420 SW 3^rd Ave., 866-390-2628. http://www.freedomboatclubfl.com/index.php