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New to Boating

New to boating? You've come to the right place. Choosing a boat and learning maritime skills can result in decades of safe family fun on the water. Below, you'll find details on safety, licensing, how to select the right watercraft and boating skills.

Selecting Your Boat

Rinker offers a range of boats to fit your needs. When selecting your next boat, you’ll want to consider the following.
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Size & Capacity

You will want to select a watercraft that can comfortably handle the average number of passengers and bodies of water you plan to enjoy. At Rinker, we offer boats ranging in size, seating arrangement and hull construction, all of which can meet diverse needs for dozens of cruising scenarios.

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Boating Activities

Whether you plan to ski, tube and wakeboard, or cruise and overnight with friends, you'll want to consider a boat built for those specific activities. Rinker offers everything from smaller sport boats ready-built for watersports all the way up to much larger vessels that can comfortably be the platform for weekend getaways and boating trips.

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Bodies of Water

Your boating needs may be different if you're cruising off the coast in saltwater versus hopping onto a small freshwater lake. Although outboard engines are not strictly for saltwater by any means, they are popular with saltwater customers, as they can be more easily lifted out of the water and maintained over time. Likewise, if you know you'll be cruising in rough chop, consider a vessel with a broader beam, taller height, and higher degree of deadrise to ensure its ability to handle everything you throw at it. Discuss with your local Rinker dealer or marina to see what kind of engine and drive would be best for your boating needs.

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Towing & Storage

If you'll be trailering your boat, it's key that your vehicle has enough power to tow your specific vessel. Before selecting a boat, you should also consider where you'll store your boat during the off-season and how you'll transport it to and from that location.

Cost of Ownership

When purchasing a Rinker Boat, it's important to understand all the costs associated with ownership. Below is a list of expenses to research and consider before buying.

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Boat Price

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Fuel Costs

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Insurance

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Boating Licenses and Registration

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Engine Options

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Storage & Winterization

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Accessories (safety gear, watersports, towing equipment, etc.)

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Annual Maintenance

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Marina Fees

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Trailer and Trailer Maintence

More Info

Boating Safety Tips

 

At Rinker, your safety is our top priority. Here are some boating safety basics.

 

  • Carry a Coast Guard approved life vest for every passenger.
  • Respect other boaters, no-wake zones and noise levels. Always use caution in shallow areas and near local residences.
  • Never put yourself and others at risk by mixing alcohol, drugs and boating.
  • Follow local fishing and boating regulations, seasons and license laws and make sure the fuel tank is full.

 

Boating Skills

Docking, launching, navigating and performing regular maintenance checks on your boat can keep your family safe on the water and your watercraft purring along for years. If you're new to boating, consider enrolling in a skills course to get comfortable. If you're looking at a bigger boat, like one of our Express Cruisers, get fully educated on how your larger vessel will handle on the water.

 

Additionally, work with your dealer or a marina employee if you are new to hooking up shore power. Proceed with caution when using new boat features and be over-prepared when planning your first few overnight adventures. Many Rinker vessels are equipped with the latest navigation equipment. If you're new to navigation, get comfortable with all of the equipment before embarking on your jourey. Know how to use a compass, in case your primary navigation no longer functions.

 

You should also practice tying dock lines, learn how to operate a winch for towing and get familiar with the regulations of the specific body of water you are navigating. Take the extra time to learn how to read buoys and water markers, as safety should always be your top priority.