Renting A Boat In Venice

Ever since I donated my little boat to the monastery of the Armeni when we stopped living in Venice in 1999, I've been longing to get back out on the lagoon. But the padre at the monastery said that after I left, the boat foundered and the engine was ruined, so there's nothing for me to tool around in. I've stayed out from behind the tiller in all my visits since 1999, and I have to tell you, I really miss it.

But today I discovered Houseboat Holiday Italia. I am totally stoked. It looks like the answer to my prayers. For as little as 800 euros a week, you can rent a cool little boat that is big enough to sleep in. And the best part: they are on the Venetian waterway. One marina is south of Chioggia in Porto Levante, the other is near Treviso on the Sile Rive. It's a sweet trip on a few gorgeous rivers into the lagoon, a wonderful day's journey to Venezia.

Here's a look at the price list, which scales up to nearly 4000 euros for the yacht-esque gigando ships. I'm probably interested in something in the in-between class. Maybe this puppy on the right, which is a mere 1600 euros or so. It's called the Corvette and it sleeps 4, which is the right size for our family.

The website says,

"To drive a cruiser you do not need a licence. Even if a little experience of boats [sic] can help, everyone can learn how to drive a cruiser. When you go on board we will teach you all the tricks of the trade and you will immediately become "Captains".

I must admit I find this "anyone can do it" stuff a little unnerving. On the other hand, these guys have been in business for a while, so I'm going to trust that they know what they're doing.

Here's a little map that shows where their marinas are located.

And here are the boats.

I love it.

Comments

[Kurt]

Can you drive one of these babies up the Grand Canal?
===================================
Maybe. I was (as a non-commercial/gvmt motorized vessel) forbidden to travel the Canal Grande during normal business hours, but could do it later in the day and evening. I often ignored this. But if you speed, you're screwed. There are radar guns. Authorities watch for anyone making a wake, as it hurts the bldgs.

I really advise a person who is new to boats and Venice to rent a water taxi instead.

[Paul]

There is a God, and he apparently can be kind!

My gondola rowing instructor took me and my wife and son just a few hundred yards to where we let her and our infant son out at the Grande Canale. Unfortunately, we passed he San Traveso (always spell this wrong. Am I on track?) squero (boat building, maintenance shop) and got some stres from the workers and gondoliers checking on their gondolas. Even thought the trainer we were in had no Ferro (the distinctive bow iron work s you see on some editions of Jan/Janice Morris' "The World of Venice", and no seat... The instructor got the word to not let it happen again. He was close to cutting in on the Gondoliering business. This rental thing is a great and welcome surprise, especially if all the folks were experienced like Norman and I... I don't care right now, I want it! The bad part is it sounds so American; pay the man, turn the key and your a Captain!
==============================================
Yeah, I know what you mean about the American thing. Look at me mom, I'm driving a boat! But it's still cool, and I'm incredibly stoked it exists. I probably would have bought a crap boat and outboard and donated it to a monastary again otherwise after a couple/few weeks. I guess it's the friars' loss.

[marc gogarty]

Hello, i have enjoyed reading your stuff

i read an article in some sunday broadsheet or other where the journo rented a small
dinghy with an outboard.

i have been sailing and motor boating for years - even piloted a waterbus on the regents canal in london

can you recommend anyone in venice who migh tloan me one

dream dream dreeam

marc
====================
No question that if I knew this person, I'd be borrowing the boat, too. A small boat with an outboard is all I need. Please let me know if you find a humble boat for rent/to borrow.

[Jude]

I too have read about hiring a dinghy in Venice (in the Weekend Australian, I think). We visit often, and I can think of nothing nicer than being able to potter out into the lagoon under our own, well, not steam, but you know what I mean. I'd be delighted to hear more. We have rented a flat in Cannaregio in late April and have no idea about laws as to mooring, but even to rent a dinghy (aka a tinny where I come from) for a day would be bliss.

Best wishes,

Jude

[Jeff]

I'm in the same boat as Jude - I'd love to rent a tiny dinghy! Anybody have any news or ideas regarding this?

-Jeff

[Bram van Scharen]

I would love to experience this as well!!!
I'm considering to rent one week a mid class as well.
Can anyone provide me more direction for other things to think about?
For example; what does it cost to stay in the harbour? Can you "park" the boat on the canal grande?
===============
Finding a place to moor your boat in Venice is a trip. You absolutely will never tie up your boat on the Canal Grande ... in fact, it is most likely illegal for you to even take a craft down there these days, as a non resident pleasure boater. There are virtually no 'free parking zones"in Venice, and the use of someone else's "posto barca" can result in having your boat cast off into a canal, or worse.

Last I checked, the restaurant La Zucca will let you tie up your boat there while you had dinner (I did that once). There are, mercifully, marinas ... one at San Giorgio, another in Castello. Check online for rates, they are sure to be published.

Once you get outside Venice proper, there are lots of great places to moor and explore. It's still a logistical challenge, to be sure, but begging and charming skills are useful. (Italian language skills, to say the least, are handy). I had a killer mooring spot in Caorle tied next to a crusty old clam fisherman's boat.

Get a couple high quality charts of the lagoon. There's the official Laguna Nord and the Laguna Sud charts which are indispensible. Get them from Mare di Carta ... the Venetian nautical bookstore. They speak some English ... they are at www.maredicarta.it/ .

To rob Nike: Just Do It.

Norman

[Kay T.]

This brought back memories of when I visited Venice while in the US Navy. Itally in general was very lovely.
Kay T.

[Tim Heymans]

Hi,

I've been reading your posts. As a matter of fact I'm looking to rent a little boat too, preferably a small classical rowing boat. Does anybody have any clue where I might find one of these??

Tim