Your first rental trip: a practical checklist
Check wind and weather before you leave, walk through the boat with the owner, locate flotation and emergency gear, and plan a route you are comfortable with.
A first trip in an unfamiliar boat is less about seamanship than preparation. This is what experienced boaters do automatically — and what is easy to skip when you are eager to get going.
Before you leave home
Check the forecast and wind strength for your whole time out, not just departure. Wind builds sea, and water that is sheltered in the morning can be unpleasant after lunch.
Look at the chart for harbours and shelter along the way. Knowing where you can break off the trip is worth more than knowing where you are going.
The walkthrough with the owner
Ask for a proper handover: starting and stopping, the kill cord, the bilge pump, where the anchor is and how it is used, fuel level, and what to do if the engine will not restart.
Ask where the local shallows are. The owner knows their own water, and those five minutes are the best safety investment of the trip.
On board
Find the flotation equipment before you leave the dock and fit it to each person, children especially. In boats under 8 metres it must be worn while under way.
Locate the fire extinguisher, anchor and lines. Nothing should have to be searched for at the moment you need it.
Under way
Keep the speed down until you have a feel for the boat. 5 knots is the limit within 50 metres of swimmers regardless.
Tell the owner if anything happens, including small things. Minor damage reported immediately is an entirely different problem from damage discovered at handback.
Common questions
What should I check before a first rental trip?
Wind and weather for the whole period, a full walkthrough with the owner, that flotation equipment is present and fits, and that you know where the anchor, bilge pump and fire extinguisher are.
What do I do if something breaks during the trip?
Secure people first, tell the owner immediately, and document with photos and timestamps. Damage reported at once is far easier to resolve.
Must children wear a life jacket?
In boats under 8 metres everyone on board must wear suitable flotation equipment while under way. It must be matched to the wearer's weight.
This guide is general information based on Norwegian regulations as they stand today, not legal advice. Rules change, and local regulations can be stricter. Always check the rules in force for the waters you are heading into.
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