- 1). Enroll in a boater's safety course offered by the local Coast Guard station. This will provide you with some boating experience and give you hands-on experience with navigating, as well a briefing on rules and regulations on the water. Specific to Florida and some of the Gulf states are speed regulations in manatee zones.
- 2). Decide which coast you will be staying on. The waters on the eastern side of Florida tend to be slightly rougher while the Gulf side is tamer. Both sides offer great scenery and fishing. Make a decision as to what kind and what size of boat you will need. There are pontoon boats that are great for fishing and cruising the Gulf side of Florida and require little experience. There are larger speed boats that are more likely to be found on the Atlantic side of Florida that are longer range and better for choppier waters. Your Florida rental center will have a selection that will fit your needs and location.
- 3). Contact a boat rental office or a network of local renters. These are groups of boat owners in Florida who rent out their personal watercraft on a part-time basis. There is a link below for a site that offers these rentals. Provide the time and dates of your rental needs and secure the boat with a credit card. Many of these operators will require some form of boater's safety course documentation to rent the faster and larger boats. This course is acceptable no matter what state it is taken in. This is typically an insurance requirement by the state of Florida and cannot be waived.
- 4). Exercise caution and safety while boating on a rented craft in Florida water. Weather changes quickly and can cause problems if not watched carefully.
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