4 Steps to a Stress-Free Launch for First Time Renters

Here’s a not so secret fact that operators know too well: the majority of on-the-water mishaps are completely avoidable. All it takes is the right preparation.

That’s why National Safe Boating Week is more than just dates in the calendar—it’s the opportunity to evaluate your safety practices, especially when it comes to first-time renters.

First-time captains and their boat passengers are most at risk. But that doesn’t mean they should shy away from the water. There’s a first time for everything, right? The right strategy, and the right tools can empower your team to deliver a seamless and safe experience every time.

At Stellar and Rastrac Marine Vision, we help rental operators streamline safety before, during, and after every trip. Here’s our 4 easy steps to turn your operation into a launchpad for safer boating this season.

Step 1: Make the Safety Briefing Mandatory (and Memorable)

A consistent orientation is the foundation of safe boating. Cover need-to-knows like how to use the kill switch, manage the throttle, operate the VHF radio, and navigate in no-wake zones.

With Stellar, it’s easy to make safety briefings part of your flow:

• Send automated pre-arrival emails with important instructions
• Require renters to complete a digital checklist before check-in
• Provide engaging safety content renters will actually watch

Stellar Pro-Tip: Digital checklists keep your staff accountable and your renters’ safety experience consistent—no skipped steps, no forgotten instructions.

Step 2: Share a Pre-Trip Checklist Before They Arrive

First-time renters often don’t know what to bring. A simple checklist helps them show up prepared. That means, when guests arrive at your dock, they are calm and know exactly what to expect. It also means your staff won’t be scrambling to find extra supplies for them to use.

Your checklist should include:

• Sun safe clothing and sunscreen
• A valid ID
• A dry bag for valuables
• A phone case and fully charged phone

The beauty of Stellar is that it allows you to include this checklist automatically in booking confirmations or reminder emails—no extra work for your team.

Add this downloadable PDF version so renters can keep it handy on their phone or print it out.

Step 3: Explain Local Rules and the Forecast Game Plan

Renters can easily forget (or ignore) the rules of the water once they’re behind the wheel—especially if they’re unfamiliar with your area. Between navigating, socializing, and operating a boat for the first time, it’s a lot to think about on top of remembering local water rules.

Before your renters head out on the water, it’s important to cover the essentials like local no-wake zones and restricted areas, common renter mistakes (and how to avoid them), and how to check the marine forecast.

But don’t worry–you don’t have to put all your faith in first time renters. Rastrac Marine Vision helps reinforce boating laws with built in technology. Some of the highlights include:

• Geofences that trigger alerts near off-limits areas
• Speed alert texts for reckless driving
• Live tracking so you can respond quickly in an emergency

That’s a big ole’ sigh of relief, right? Now you can maintain a healthy stress level that your renters are safe, even on the busiest holiday boating weekends.

Rastrac Marine Vision Pro-Tip: Give your renters a brief overview of how the Rastrac GPS system works so they are more likely to follow the rules, and know that if something goes awry, you can quickly track them to provide emergency assistance.

Step 4: Make the Safety Video Part of the Booking Flow

When renters arrive at the dock, a first-time captain is often distracted and stressed. They have a boat full of people that they’ve never driven, they’re loading gear, and trying to learn how to use a throttle, pay attention to no-wake zones, etc.

Needless to say, the day of launch is a lot. That’s why we strongly recommend that safety videos should be engrained in your booking flow to ensure the captain has reviewed the material at a time when they can dedicate their full attention.

With Stellar, you can:

• Embed a short, engaging safety video into the booking process
• Require renters to watch it before signing a waiver
• Keep everything digital, trackable, and easy to update

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, operator inexperience is a leading cause of accidents. Your video briefing could prevent a serious incident—and reduce your liability at the same time. With a safety video embedded in your booking flow, plus a signed waiver, you protect yourself and your business from being legally reliable for any mishaps.

Conclusion:

Safe Boaters Start with Safe Operators There are a lot of incidents and accidents that can happen on the water– no operator is a stranger to that. But the right tools and technology can empower your team, protect your business, and keep your renters safe.

Between Stellar and Rastrac Marine Vision, your safety precautions are fool-proof.