Re: Boat rentals - indepth analysis
[ Follow Ups ] [ 1998 Abaco Message Board ]
Posted by John on November 12, 1998 at 08:09:04:
In Reply to: Boat rentals posted by Gary on November 11, 1998 at 20:28:21:
You're in luck - after my less than perfect experience last week, I looked real hard at all the rental facilities for our next trip. My limited (2) experiences, boating from Elbow up to Guana, and Elbow to Little Harbour, 2 passengers. (I would love to know about other people's experiences with other rental places) April 97 18' 130 HP Boston Whaler from Sea Horse, 3 day rental. More than enough power. Just sufficient length for the choppy seas - BUT still can be hard ride. Oct 98, 18' 70 HP Privateer from Sea Horse. $420/week. Still enough power, and gas mileage was MUCH MUCH BETTER!!! We used less gas in a week than we did with the 130HP in 3 days. Except for Dave's Dive Shop, Sea Horse gave me the best rate and I really like the free use of their rental bikes in Marsh (Boat Harbour). We did grocery shopping with them and it saved boating time & gas by not having to go to the public dock (from Elbow). BUT - BIG BUT - the Privateer was in bad shape (windshield opaque, electrical short on the dash, chunk of rudder gone) and I had to trade for another one, better, but still worn. They gave me a discount ($395/week + $35 free gas). Now having seen some other rentals boats, and what they include (VHF radio) I'd strongly consider others. Another consideration - because of the choppy conditions, the sudden 3foot drop SLAM DUNKS into waves can really jar your body. Longer boats or dual-hull Sea Cats greatly smooth the ride.
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Summary of boat rentals under $600/week, Marsh Harbour area. Note that often the difference in prices is due to the fact that some include VHF and/or free delivery. De-livery is $25, VHF is $50/week. For fair comparison, the prices in parenthesis are after adding $50 for VHF radio to Dave's and Sea Horse, and $25 for delivery to Dave's and LazySue's. LazySue's is in Marsh Harbour, Dave's is Hopetown - so delivery is more of an issue with Dave's. I'm not sure Dave's delivers, but a ferry ride to Hopetown for two is $20, so $25 for hastle factor. Rainbow does not mention delivery - I'll assume it's included. I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WITH ANYONE EXCEPT SEA HORSE!! I have heard postive comments about Island Marine, Sea Horse, and Rich's. Dave's 17' Boston Whaler $345 ($420)
Sea Horse 18' Privateer, 70HP $420 ($470)
Dave's 20' Privateer $450 ($525)
Rich's, 19' Paramount, 115HP $450 ($450) - 1
Island Marine, 17' Boston Whaler, 70HP $460 ($460)
Sea Horse 18' Boston Whaler, 130HP $520 ($570)
Dave's 21' Paramount $520 ($595)
Island Marine, 20' Boston Whaler, 150HP $550 ($550)
Rich's, 21' Paramount, 130HP $550 ($550) - 2
Sea Horse 19' Hydra Sports, 150HP $550 ($600)
Lazy Sue, 21' Twin Hull, Twin 70HP $550 ($575) - 3
Island Marine, 20' Albury Brothers, 150HP $580 ($580)
Rainbow, 22', 130HP $600 ($600) - 4 Personal Summary - after dealing with back breaking waves, I'd opt for a longer boat or the Twin Hulls. For two people, I think 130HP is overkill, just sucks gas - less is better. So my choices for smooth ride, gas mileage, and price, are noted 1,2,3, 4. Have fun.
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