[mgoltsman]

Hi all!

I am new to this forum and sailing, and don't know any forums outside of thebeachcats.com, so would appreciate help with where to direct my question.

I will be on vacation near Shark River Inlet in NJ in a week, and my Prindle 16 cat is too much of a work in progress to drag that far from home. However, I would love to find a place near Belmar, NJ where I could rent a small sailboat (16-24 ft. ish) for half-day chunks. A cat would do, but a day sailer would be better - I intend to have up to four kids and two adults on it, depending on the size.

I am a relative novice at sailing, but have completed the beginning sailing class on a sunfish. That gave me some sort of light air certification - whatever that's worth. I have been out on my Prindle and a couple other cats a few times so am fairly certain could handle a daysailer without scuttling it right away.

Any suggestion on possible rental places or forums where I should ask instead of here would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Mike.

 

[clip68]

Welcome aboard Mike. Here on sailnet, there is a charter forum. Perhaps ask on there?

 

[hellosailor]

Mike, sometimes Google Maps will get you results. It can be hit and miss depending on the exact words you use, but if you set the map to that area before you search, it has become "the yellow pages" these days.

Six people on a 16-24' boat might not be legal, there are USCG capacity plaques and you need to make sure with the rental place that you can put everyone on board at once. And of course, that they'll have enough kids' life jackets for you.

If your only certification is on a Sunfish, you may not be able to rent something in the 16-24' size range so do try to call ahead.

 

[mgoltsman]

Google Maps turned out to be more miss than hit here, although I did find a couple of places half an hour away that I will try out. I was hoping to find a rental place closer.

As far as "certification" it's not "sunfish" specific - something like a small boat light air or something like that - gotta dig out the "red book" and look into the details. Though of course my experience with two-sail boats is limited and with keel boats is non-existant. Yes, most likely will be limited to places that offer insurance with rental.

Obviously, will keep the occupancy to the legal limit and ensure life jackets are provided with rental - those two go without saying.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.