The navigation season offers a huge opportunity for boaters to travel, fish and just relax on the water, but not everyone has their own equipment or the desire to store bulky equipment in the garage. boat-motor-hireRenting is the ideal solution for those who want to try out a new brand before buying, or for tourists who come to another region with their own boat but without an engine.
The market for renting water equipment today offers a wide range of models, from low-power "spots" for a quiet walk to powerful two-stroke units that can plane a heavy metal boat. Competent choice The impact of rental equipment on the comfort of your stay on the water and the safety of the entire crew is important, not only to understand the technical specifications, but also the legal aspects of the lease agreement.
In this article, we will analyze in detail all the nuances of interaction with rental organizations, learn how to calculate fuel consumption and determine which hidden defects should be paid attention to when accepting equipment. The deposit for a rolling motor often exceeds its market value by 20-30%. How to minimize the risks of using other people’s property.
Advantages of renting an engine for a boat
The main advantage of renting is financial flexibility and the absence of hassle associated with maintenance and storage of equipment. Buying a new engine requires not only significant funds at the initial stage, but also constant costs for the purchase of a new engine. conservationIt's a rental that allows you to turn these fixed costs into variables, paying only for the actual time of use.
And it's also a great opportunity to test different modifications in real-world conditions. Tohatsu One trip, and the next one. YamahaTo understand what kind of ergonomics and how the engine works, renting becomes a testing ground for buying decisions for many aqueous motorists.
Also worth noting is the logistics component: if you travel by train or plane to a fishing site, it is often impossible or too expensive to carry an engine with you. Local rental solves the problem (last mile) by providing equipment directly at the base or delivering it to your hotel.
Criteria for the power selection and type of engine
The first and most important parameter in the selection is capacityLack of horsepower will lead to inability to get on plane and increased fuel consumption, and excess power can be dangerous for the design of the boat, especially if it is a question of inflatable PVC models. Always check the passport of the boat, which shows the maximum allowed power rating.
The second criterion is the type of work cycle, two-stroke engines are traditionally lighter than their four-stroke counterparts of the same power that is critical when mounted on a transom of small boats. fuel-mixFour-strokes are quieter, more stable at idle speeds and do not require mixing gasoline with oil, but their weight can be one and a half times higher.
If you plan to fish in trolling, be sure to check with the distributor whether the motor has a battery charging mode from the stator, since not all older models support this function.
The standard foot (S) is suitable for most boats, but for keel models with high sides, a long leg (L) may be required. Incorrect length selection will lead to cavitation or, conversely, excessive water resistance and overheating.
Checking the technical condition at acceptance
The process of approving a vehicle is one where the tenant's inattention can cost him the entire deposit. Never sign the acceptance/transfer certificate without doing a thorough visual and functional inspection. First, inspect the lower unit for deep scratches, dents and chips that may indicate impacts on underwater obstacles or rocks.
Make sure to check the cooling system. Start the engine and ask the employee to show the pump jet. If the water is not coming or is coming in a weak stream, it is a malfunction signal. impeller Or clogging channels. Operating the motor without cooling normally for even a few minutes can lead to a jamming of the piston group.
⚠️ Attention: Before signing the act, be sure to take a photo or video of all existing scuffs, scratches on lower unit and chips on lower unit, as well as the condition of the lower unit and screw. This will help avoid unreasonable claims when returning equipment.
Pay special attention to the condition of the screw and anti-cavitational stove. Bullies on the edges of the screw reduce efficiency and create vibration, and cracks on the stove can lead to exhaust gases entering the cooling system. Also check the integrity of the lower unit mounts and the tiller - backlashes are not allowed here.
☑️ Checklist for motor acceptance
Fuel and fuel costs
The financial issue of renting is often overlooked, although fuel consumption can make up a significant portion of the travel budget. Two-stroke engines consume more gasoline, especially when driving at full speed. On average, a modern two-stroke 9.9 hp consumes about 3-4 liters of the mixture per hour at full gas and about 1 liter in economical mode.
It's important to know what octane number the manufacturer recommends. Most modern engines require gasoline. AI-95But some older models can also run on the AI-92, and using low-octane fuel in engines designed for the 95th can cause the piston to detonate and break.
| Engine power | Type of engine | Flow (full gas) | Expenditure (economy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 hp | two-stroke | 2.0 - 2.5 l/h | 1.0 - 1.5 l/h |
| 9.9 hp | two-stroke | 3.5. to 4.5 l/h | 1.5 - 2.0 l/h |
| 15 hp | four-stroke | 4.0 - 5.0 l/h | 2.0 - 2.5 l/h |
| 30 hp | four-stroke | 8.0 - 10.0 l/h | 4.0 - 5.0 l/h |
In two-stroke engines, oil is added directly to gasoline in the proportion specified in the instructions (usually 1:50 for modern engines or 1:25 for old ones). In four-stroke engines, oil is poured into the crankcase separately and varies less often, but before renting the level of oil is lower. motor-oil I'd better check it with a probe.
How to store fuel in a boat?
Gasoline should only be stored in special plastic or metal canisters intended for fuel. Never leave the canisters in the direct sun or in the heated interior of the car - gasoline vapors are explosive. The canister should be fixed in the boat to prevent it from falling overboard or shifting in chop.
Legal aspects and the lease agreement
The relationship between the rental organization and the client is governed by a lease agreement, which should be treated with the utmost care. The document should clearly state the terms of the lease, the cost of an hour or a day, the size of the deposit and the liability of the parties.
Often, the contract contains a clause prohibiting the control of the engine by persons in a state of alcoholic intoxication, violation of this clause not only dangerous to life, but also automatically removes from the distributor responsibility for any accidents and can entail a fine or denial of insurance coverage, if provided for.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure the contract clearly states the engine identification number, which must match the number on the lower unit. In the case of verification of documents by the inspector GIMS, the discrepancy of the numbers can be considered as an attempt to use a stolen engine.
It is also worth clarifying the conditions for the return of equipment: some companies require the return of the engine with a full tank, others – with the same level as when it was issued, and failure to comply with these conditions can lead to additional fines or withholding funds from the deposit at inflated rates.
Operating rules and water safety
Safety on the water depends not only on the serviceability of the equipment, but also on the actions of the operator. lifejacketsCold water and heavy clothing can play a cruel joke in an emergency.
When driving a rented engine, avoid sharp maneuvers at high speeds, especially if you are not familiar with the behavior of a particular boat in conjunction with this engine. A sharp turn on the planing can lead to overkill or throwing the passenger overboard.
The main safety rule: never leave a working motor unattended and always use a safety rope (kill switch) attached to the operator's clothes.
If you have an unexpected engine stop in the middle of a water body, don't panic, check for fuel, cooling system status, and foreign objects in the propeller. If you can't fix the cause yourself, contact the distributor or emergency services, giving you your coordinates.
Frequent questions about outboard motor rental
Do I need a license to drive a boat with a rented engine?
The rights to operate a small court (GIMS license) are required if the engine power exceeds 8 kW (about 10.8 hp) or if the weight of the equipped vessel exceeds 200 kg. If the engine is weaker or the boat is lighter, the rights are not necessary, but you must always have an identity document.
What happens if I break the rented engine?
In the event of a breakdown due to the fault of the tenant (for example, work without cooling, hitting a stone at full speed), the cost of repair or replacement of the units is deducted from the deposit.
Can I get the engine back early?
Companies usually meet customers and allow them to return the equipment early, but the cost is not always recalculated, the terms of early return must be written in the contract, often the payment is taken by day, and the return in the middle of the day does not reduce the cost of rent per day.
Which gasoline is best used for a rolling motor?
Use only fresh gasoline with the octane number recommended by the manufacturer (usually AI-95). Try not to buy fuel at untested gas stations along the tracks, as poor-quality gasoline can quickly disable the carburetor or fuel pump, which you will have to pay for.