A guide to getting out on the lake: Here’s where to rent a powerboat, kayak, canoe or floatie in Hamilton area
The sun is shining, it's about time to motor down to the lake for a boat flotilla.
The Hamilton area is surrounded by water, enough for water sports of all kinds. Anglers, standup paddleboarders, even folks with a need for speed have options - boatless city dwellers, too.
Be it in big Lake Ontario, a river that's Grand or quiet Lake Niapenco, there are businesses offering boatie and floatie rentals for you.
Need to knowBefore you push off, however, it's important to understand that safe boating should be taken seriously.
Power boat drivers are required to be licensed by the government of Ontario, however, rental companies instead use boat safety checklists" as proof of competency.
If you plan to set out in a kayak or canoe, it's important to have basic paddling skills and an understanding of what kind of waters you can handle. Lessons are available all over from organizations such as Stoney Creek-based Kayak Ontario or It All Comes Naturally at Pinehurst Lake near Paris. A two-day, beginner sea kayak course from Kayak Ontario starts at $250; a daylong canoeing basics class at Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area starts at about $125.
Floating out on the water, even on a people-powered blow-up flamingo, can be hazardous and requires the right gear and know-how. Proper safety equipment, including life jackets, are a necessity; a safety plan is important, too.
Many of the following rentals will require significant deposits.
Find a watercraftCool as a canoe
Element Canoe Rentals will help you navigate the waters of Hamilton and beyond. The family-owned business offers affordable canoes for single-day or multiday trips. Renting for a six-hour outing would cost about $75; a two- to six-day trip starts at $30 per day. Safety gear is included with a package. Renters must be able to transport the canoe from a downtown Hamilton pickup location.
Pontoon living
Zoom off to your favourite Lake Ontario fishing spot on a Niagara Boat Rentals pontoon boat. Powerboats, some 23 feet long, fitting 10 people are available at Jordan Harbour Marina and St. Catharines Marina locations. The pontoon boats start at $800 for a six-hour rental.
2793 Beacon Blvd., Jordan Station, or 200 Broadway Ave., St. Catharines niagaraboatrentals.com
A day on Niapenco
Cruise the calm waters of Lake Niapenco reservoir at Binbrook Conservation Area on a standup paddleboard, kayak, foot-powered paddleboats and more. A paddleboat from Binbrook Wave Rentals costs about $60 for two hours, plus park entry fees.
5050 Harrison Rd., Binbrook binbrookwaverentals.com
Appointment with a jet ski
Ride the waves in Burlington Bay or Lake Ontario on a Cove Marine Rentals personal watercraft. Call 519-242-8778 for bookings or book your ride online. A full weekday on a jet ski is about $500.
1155 Eastport Dr. cove-marine-rentals-inc.appointedd.com
A Grand float
Take a long float down the Grand River or catch a fish in Guelph Lake with Grand River Rafting's adventures and rentals. Rent canoes, kayaks, inflatable rafts and more in various locations such as Brant Park, Brantford, or the previously mentioned lake. Two-hour beginner river trips in a tube start at $33. A kayak rental at Brant Park starts at $35 for two hours.
Various locations along the Grand grandriverrafting.ca
Kelso cruise
Paddle on Kelso Lake in Milton starting at $22, plus park entry fee. However, one-hour rentals on all varieties of human-powered floaters are not available every day of the week. Make sure to reserve a three-hour time slot for a visit and check if your desired watercraft is available at parkvisit.ca.
5234 Kelso Road, Milton conservationhalton.ca/activities/boating
Lake Erie waves
Speed around Lake Erie on a personal watercraft or powerboat with Waveline Recreation. Seadoo rentals, starting at $125 per hour, are available at their Port Dover and Turkey Point locations.
236 Ordnance Ave., Turkey Point, and 13 Harbour St., Port Dover wavelineseadoorentals.ca
Beach staycation
Take a beach day in Burlington with Burlington Beach Rentals. Try a paddleboard starting at $33 per hour or rent a floatie package" and stay for beach yoga.
Beachway Park, 1100 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington staycationbeachandboatrentals.com
Jeremy Kemeny is a Hamilton-based web editor at The Spectator. Reach him via email: jkemeny@thespec.com