5 Incredible Sailboat Excursions You’re Missing Out On
Last Updated on January 13, 2022 by Boatsetter Team
If you are thinking of embarking on a sailing boat rental, there are so many factors you will want to consider. For example, especially if you intend to visit small inlets and coves on your sailing boat hire, you’ll need to think about the size and type of boat that you might want to rent. This will have a big impact on the types of excursions you might plan. Of course, if you are sailing through the open ocean, the sky is literally the limit when it comes to choosing the type of boat you want to rent. Below, we have outlined five of the most incredible routes, destinations, and experiences you can take or have when you rent a sailboat.
America the Beautiful: Sailing Around the Country
If you decide to rent a sailboat to cruise around the country, two good options would be to explore the Great Loop Map. If you have three weeks off, we suggest you do half of the Great Loop, and then explore the other half of the Great Loop when you have another three-week vacation. The Great Loop is a continuous waterway traversing the Atlantic Ocean, some Gulf Intracoastal Waterways, through the Great Lakes and Canadian Heritage Canals, and across some inland rivers of America’s heartland. You have the option of traveling the Great Loop in either direction.
If you start in Chicago, we suggest pointing your sailing boat hire south so that you can travel in a counter-clockwise direction. In this way, you’ll be able to use the powerful river currents of the legendary Mississippi River to guide you all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. Take some time to enjoy the warm waters of Florida’s beaches along the scenic Gulf. From there, it is easy to cruise east along the Gulf’s Intracoastal Waterway to Fort Myers.
After spending a bit of time checking out some of the dockside restaurants and bars, you can point your a sailing boat hire to the north, up the Intracoastal Waterway beyond Savannah, Georgia, and Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary and even go all the way up to New York City. From the Big Apple, it’s a straight sail on your sailing boat hire up the famous Hudson River all the way to the Erie Canal. From the canal, you can sail west to the Great Lakes and finally return to Chicago.
Depending on the route you take, keep in mind that doing half of the Great Loop on a sailing boat rental can measure up to 3000 miles in total! This means that even if you sail 150 miles a day (which can be very difficult if the weather is bad or if you are sailing upstream), you should allocate at least three weeks to your journey. You can always get another sailing boat rental to explore the other half of the Great Loop when you have another three-week vacation in the future. Of course, while you are sailing, the more places you visit along the way, the longer your trips might end up taking. There are so many incredible sights that it makes sense to extend your journeys as long as possible if you are able to do so.
Lake Michigan
If you complete your section of the Great Loop in Chicago, you may want to rent a sailboat in Lake Michigan, where you can enjoy world-class sailing as well as tons of entertaining boat parties on the lake with everyone in your crew. Also, fishing for king salmon, perch, coho, and trout is a popular option when you rent a sailboat in Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan boasts the largest diversity of sport fishing species among all the Great Lakes. Before starting your trip, review the guidelines to become more familiar with some of the local fishing regulations.
If you decide to drop the anchor of your sailing boat rental in the lake, you’ll find that there are hundreds of interesting towns and villages on the banks of Lake Michigan, which can be fun to explore on day trips ashore. If you can sail your boat directly up to the shore, you’ll find that there are lots of other access areas around the lake, like small harbors, city parks, piers, and river mouths. All of these areas are interesting sights to see while you rent a sailboat in Lake Michigan.
Lake Tahoe
With Boatsetter, you can rent a sailboat in Lake Tahoe for a half or full day and experience some of the most thrilling watersports on the lake. When you rent a sailboat in Lake Tahoe, you’ll find that there are many boats in our fleet that actually include all the gear you need for things like wakeboarding and sometimes even water skiing! Just make sure you know everything that your sailing boat rental includes before you go out and buy any of your own equipment.
When you rent a sailboat in Lake Tahoe, you’ll experience amazing scenery in the thousands of coves and inlets on the lake. Since Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, the air is clean and crisp and it is easy to enjoy the wide beaches, bike trails, and even the busy downtown area. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, you can rent a sailboat in Lake Tahoe during almost any time of the year. Once you’ve tried out all of these North American adventures, the next step is setting your sails for the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
The British Virgin Islands
As we mentioned earlier, once you are on the ocean, there is no limit to the size of the boat you decide to rent. Imagine getting eight or nine of your best friends together and guiding your sailing boat hire down to the British Virgin Islands! There are more than 60 islands and islets in the British Virgin Islands. If you decide to arrange a sailing boat hire from America or even when you get to the islands, remember that these types of waters can be safe and easy places for boating novices to get a taste of sailing in the Caribbean. The British Virgin Islands, or BVI, is at the northern end of the Lesser Antilles, which separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean. Just to the east of Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands are to the north of the US Virgin Islands. In between is the Sir Francis Drake Channel, whose calm and clear waters are absolutely perfect for diving and snorkeling directly from your sailing boat hire.
Wrapping it All Up
It is really great to be able to visit so many exotic locations when you decide to rent a sailboat. Thankfully, arranging a sailing boat hire is no longer just a dream. The sailing lifestyle is now accessible to almost anybody. Simply visit Boatsetter today, enter your desired location, and search for the type of sailboat you are looking for. You’ll be feeling the rush of wind in your hair in no time!
Boatsetter empowers people to explore with confidence by showing them a world of possibility on the water. Rent a boat, list your boat, or become a Boatsetter captain today.
