Are you looking for a platform for Boat Hire where you are the skipper? If So, read on:
The Best Boat to Own is Your MatesBoat:
Having a friend with a boat is like having a friend with a holiday home or even a swimming pool.
Why? Well, because all these things are expensive to own, maintain and generally don’t get used as often as you would like!
Having mates with these things can certainly save you a lot of money. Check out our article “Should I Buy Or Rent a Boat?” to see the true costs of boat ownership.
We have Airbnb for holiday homes, Swimply for pools and MatesBoat™ for boats, so you don’t need to own any of them! Just rent them when you want for as long as you need.
Experience the freedom and joy of boat ownership without the stress and costs when you hire a boat through MatesBoat™.
Explore Melbourne’s Boat Hire Options | Try Something New:
Have you ever been driving or walking along the water’s edge looking at the people enjoying their time out on a boat with their family and friends?
Chances are these days they don’t even own the boat they are using!
With the many boat rental and boat sharing options available, people are no longer looking at purchasing boats outright. They are hiring boats or joining share syndicates.
When you hire a boat you open up the opportunities to select the right boat for you and your family, for any occasion.
Whether you are looking to go fishing in Port Phillip Bay or a leisurely sightseeing cruise along the Murray River, hiring a boat is a great way to get out on the water.
Don’t tow your boat to holiday destinations, hire a boat stress free and share the cost with family and friends. You can hire a boat in Mallacoota for $80 per hour (Min 4 hours).
Be Your Own Skipper | Go Where You Want:
Be your own skipper and take your friends or family on a boating adventure without the costly commitment of boat ownership.
Experience the exhilaration of taking charge of the boat and heading to secluded beaches, swimming areas, or head to a vibrant marina for lunch.
You can create your own itinerary and create the adventure that is perfect for you!
Charters can be great but they take you where they want to go and for a period of time that suits them. When you hire a boat, you are in charge and get to set the schedule.
Take your own lunch, snacks, & drinks onboard and check out the local landmarks that interest you. Spend time soaking it all in whilst sipping a drink and snacking on your favourite foods.
Bond with your children, your family, your friends on your own private boat, without the hassle of owning it.
Spend Time With Your Family On A Melbourne Hire Boat:
Spending quality time with your family and friends is an extremely important step to living a fun, enjoyable and relaxing life.
There is no better place for spending time with your family or friends than on a boat!
Duane, who has been hiring out boats in Corio for a few years, recently told me how amazing it is to see the difference in families after being out on the water together.
He believes that the close proximity they are in with each other causes them to talk and learn more about each other. Yes bonding….!
When they leave they are often quiet, a bit unsure and not really engaging with one another.
After boating for a few hours they truly come back a different family.
With stories of the biggest fish, the one that got away and other funny incidents. They come back laughing and talking almost non-stop!
Building relationships with your children and loved ones should be a priority for any family. If you have the love of outdoors and boating, then hire a boat and enjoy a lot more benefits than the fish you may or may not catch.
Imagine…. if digital devices weren’t used for a few hours, and instead you spoke with each other!
Safe & Affordable Boat Hire In Melbourne:
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has one of the most stringent registration processes in the world for commercial vessels.
All hire boats in Australia are required to be commercially registered and comply with all safety requirements set out by AMSA.
All boats listed on the MatesBoat™ platform are commercially registered with AMSA.
The majority of boats listed are boats owned by everyday people looking to offload some costs of boat ownership.
These owners take great care of their boats and have all the right gear onboard to ensure you have a safe and awesome boating experience.
When you hire a boat through MatesBoat™ you can be rest assured of a hassle free, safe and affordable boating experience.
Pricing is transparent and there are no hidden fees.
Do I Need a Boat Licence To Hire a Boat in Melbourne?:
If you are hiring a boat on MatesBoat™ it is likely you will need a marine licence.
Why? Because the majority of our boats have the ability to travel greater than 10 knots (av. cycling pace).
If you don’t hold a valid marine licence issued in any state of Australia then you are restricted to hiring smaller boats with smaller engines. They are restricted to travelling less than 10 knots. Most of these boats are found along the Yarra River area of Melbourne.
The boats listed on MatesBoat™ for hire in Melbourne are capable of heading further off shore and have greater engine capacity. They are the perfect choice for getting out into Port Phillip Bay.
This means you can get to more scenic or fishing locations quicker and safer making your boating experience more enjoyable.
If you hold an interstate marine licence you can still hire a boat in Melbourne. You must not have resided in Victoria for greater than 3 months, and must abide by Victorian rules and regulations.
What Should I Take When I Hire A Boat?:
When embarking on your boat rental trip in Melbourne, it’s essential to come prepared with the right gear and supplies to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Firstly, what are you intending to do on your trip?
Are you out with the boys on a fishing trip?
With the family on a scenic tour of the bay?
Going diving or snorkelling?
Once you have decided on the type of trip we can look at the essentials of any boat trip and then you can customise what you need depending on the purpose of your outing.
Essentials:-
- Bring your Marine Licence!
- Sunscreen, Hat, Sunglasses. There is minimal shade out on the water so make sure you a protected from the sun
- Towels
- Appropriate clothing dependant on the weather. Remember it can often get cold and windy quickly when out on the bays and open water. Might be worth throwing in a jumper.
- Footwear….. Please wear comfortable flat soled shoes with good grip. I shouldn’t need to say it…. but don’t wear high heels 🙂
- Water and other drinks. It is easy to keep hydrated on the water, so make sure you have plenty of water and the ability to keep it cool!
- Snacks, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Use your imagination here and bring an assortment of food. Remember there probably won’t be anywhere to heat the food, cold food is the go.
- Don’t forget ice and an Esky to cool your drinks and keep your food fresh
- Personal medications – sea sickness tablets?
Activities:-
Firstly , check with your service provider to find out what they provide. Many of Matesboat™ providers will have some basic fishing equipment and other water toys.
- Bring your fishing gear
- Snorkelling or diving gear
- Blow up floating toys etc
- Underwater drones – yes the new craze.
Navigation:-
- We recommend you download the Wavve Boating App, its like Google maps for the water. You can get a 14 day free trial here.
Conduct a Pre-Trip Inspection Of Your Hire Boat Before Embarking On Your Water Adventure:
When you arrive to meet your boat hire service provider make sure:-
- You understand how to operate the vessel. The owner should take you through the operation of the boat;
- You know where all the safety equipment is located and how to use it;
- That there is a Safety Management System document on board, have a read of it;
- There is sufficient life jackets and that they fit;
- If there is a breakdown or mechanical issue you know who to contact and what to do;
- You check over the entire boat and make note of any damage or worn parts etc. The best way to document this is by taking photos and a video. This way you will have all the information easily accessible.
- If there is a VHF/UHF radio on board you are shown how to operate it in an emergency and it is set to the correct channel;
- You check the fuel level as you will be required to return it with the same level or pay the additional fuel fee;
Join The Community Now:
Having the freedom and flexibility of accessing your “Mates Boat” without the ownership burdens, is why we created the MatesBoat™ platform.
Enjoy boat ownership without the cost by joining Australia’s fastest growing boating marketplace here.
