BOAT-COMPARATOR Guide
First Family Outing on a Licence-Free Boat: the Full Guide
A parents’ checklist, child safety rules and the rental briefing: everything you need for a first licence-free boat trip with children, without needless stress.
A licence-free boat is probably the best gateway to the sea for a family: slow, stable, simple to handle, and confined to an area the rental company knows by heart. The day still needs proper preparation, because with children on board, improvisation has its limits. Here is how to approach that first outing calmly.
Why licence-free boats suit children so well
In France, licence-free rental involves boats of 6 hp at most, daytime navigation only, within a defined zone — for €100 to €250 a day. At around 5 knots there are no sudden accelerations and no flying spray: the pace suits small children perfectly. And since the day revolves around anchoring and swimming, boredom never lasts long.
The parents’ checklist
- Sun: caps, UV rash vests, sunscreen, and a bimini or parasol if the boat has one.
- Water and snacks: more than you think — a cool box makes the day far more pleasant.
- Dry bag: phones, keys, one change of clothes per child.
- Water toys: child-sized masks and snorkels, a swimming float.
- Seasickness: rare at this speed, but bring the essentials for sensitive children.
Child safety: the non-negotiable rules
A lifejacket fitted to each child’s size and weight, worn at all times while under way — ask for children’s sizes when you book. At anchor, one adult stays fully dedicated to watching swimmers while the other handles the boat. Always cut the engine before anyone swims, and be the last one back up the ladder. Close to beaches, the 300-metre band imposes a 5-knot limit: a licence-free boat is already there, but stay alert for swimmers. Remember that sunstroke, not the sea, is the real enemy of the day.
The rental briefing: ask everything
Before departure, the rental company shows you how the boat works and where the zone ends. This is the moment to press for detail: where is it easiest to anchor with children? Which cove stays sheltered if the wind rises? What number should you call in case of doubt? Also check the deposit and insurance conditions before setting off, with photos of the boat as evidence. A good operator will happily mark the two or three family-friendly spots on a map for you; take a picture of it with your phone before casting off.
The right format for a first time
Aim for a morning half-day: calmer sea, softer light, rested children. One well-chosen anchorage beats three rushed stops. To find the right boat at the right price, Boat-Comparator compares live offers from Boataround, SamBoat, Click&Boat and GlobeSailor: family models with a bimini go fast in summer, so book ahead. And if this first experience is a success — it almost always is — the full day will impose itself next time, with a second anchorage on the programme and children already talking like sailors.
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