GULL COTTAGE
BOAT USE AGREEMENT AND RULES
1.0 AGREEMENT
1.1 Date of Agreement_______________________
1.2 Owners name: Kris Gebow
1.3 Cottage Renters Name: _____________________________
o (The cottage renter is the person who’s name is on the cottage rental agreement, hereafter referred to as the renter)
1.4 Boat Use Period: From ___________To ___________
o Agreement: In agreement with the owner, the renter will be allowed use of the boats if the renter agrees to use the boats in compliance with the rules and responsibilities stipulated in this agreement.
o The owner has the right to revoke the use of the boats at any time.
2.0 LIABILITIES AND HOLD HARMLESS
o The renter understands that the use of the boats is undertaken solely at his own risk.
o The renter hereby releases the owner from any legal liability for any claims, demands, actions, injury or death to themselves or any in the renters party resulting from the use of these boats
o The renter releases the owner for any claim based upon negligence.
3.0 BOAT LIST
o The renter of Gull Cottage has opportunity to use any of the 4 boats listed below. More than one of the boats may be used at a time. However because the renter is responsible at all times for all the boats and the people using them, it’s in the renters best interest to only allow the use of boats he can maintain control over.
Boat ID | Description | Maximum Capacity |
| Aluminum Boat | 650 lbs |
Lynn Marie | Classic Row Boat | 450 lbs |
A | Kayak | 200 lbs |
B | Kayak | 200 lbs |
.
o Kayaks will have water in the seating area, so they are a warm weather boat
4.0 CONDITIONS OF THE BOAT.
o THE RENTER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EXAMINING THE BOATS AND THE OARS/PADDLES. YOU MUST MAKE SURE THE BOATS AND OARS/PADDLES ARE FIT FOR USE.
o Any question about the condition of the boat must be referred to the owner. If at any time the renter observes any condition of any boat that might make it unsuitable for use the renter must make sure the boat is not used until the questionable condition is corrected
o Please report any damage to the owner.
o Make sure the aluminum boat has the plug in the transom.
o Make sure the oars and paddles are not cracked or damaged.
o Make sure there’s a tie-up line in the front of the boat.
5.0 SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Physical Condition.
o The people using the boats must be physically (and mentally) able to handle and row the boats and able to row them back to the cottage.
o The kayaks and the row boat are easy to row, but if you get too far away, you can get fatigued. The aluminum boat is not as easy to row or control, especially if the wind and waves pick-up.
o The boats and kayaks will move around in the water when you’re trying to get into them, until you’ve mastered the in/out task it’s best to have someone there with you to steady the boat.
5.2 Age Limit and Supervision Requirements.
o Children under the age of 12 may use the row boat or the aluminum boat as long as an adult is in the boat with them.
o Children between the age of 12 and 17 will be allowed to use the kayaks and the boats, but the renter is responsible for supervising their boat activity and must be able to control it at all times.
5.3 Life Jacket Requirements (Personal Flotation Device PFD)
o Always wear a PFD, particularly when using the kayaks
o If you’re not wearing them, the PFD’s must be readily accessible.
o You must be able to put them on in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency.
o They should not be stowed in plastic bags, in locked or closed compartments or have other gear stowed on top of them.
o The best PFD is the one you will wear.
5.4 Life jackets (PFDs) Available
o Two Child Size
o Two Youth Size
o Four Adult Sizes
5.5 Use the Seat Cushions Available for the Row and Aluminum Boat
o These make the boats more comfortable. These are not PFDs.
5.6 Into the Wind, Against the Tides.
o When rowing away from the cottage the boat should be rowed into the wind and/or against the tide. This makes it easier to get back if you become tired of rowing
5.7 Moving Around In The Aluminum and Row Boats
o Use three points of contact (two hands one foot, two feet one hand) when moving around in the boats. Both boats bounce and roll as you move and you could get tossed overboard.
5.8 Don’t lose an oar/paddle
o Make sure the oars are in the oar locks
o Take care when using the kayaks to ensure you don’t lose the paddle.
5.9 Weather Conditions.
o Wind. The boats are not be used if the wind is blowing stronger than 10 mph.
o Tides. While the tides don’t have a great affect on rowing the kayak, they have a noticeable affect on the row boat, and a greater effect on the aluminum boat.
6.0 AREA OF USE
6.1 Points North and South.
o The boats may be used between the two points visible from the cottage, i.e., the canal Great Bend to the south and Rendsland point to the north.
6.2 Distance Off-Shore.
o Don’t go too far off-shore (1/4 mile limit) the reasons are:
o If you get into trouble, the further out you are the more trouble you’re in:
§ More boat traffic
§ Winds and tides are rougher
§ Tougher to get in if you’re in trouble
o Fishing is worse further out
o Difficult to view the details of the shore
6.3 If you get into trouble,
o Get the PFD/life jacket on if you’re not wearing it already
o If you can’t get to shore, wave arms and shout to attract attention.
o If you can get to shore, get the boat to the nearest point on shore. Secure the boat so it won’t float away. Walk back to the cottage to get the resources needed to get the boat back.
7.0 PROPER USE OF THE BOATS
o If you’re using the kayaks, travel in pairs. It’s safer and you’ll have more fun.
o You should wear water shoes, something that grips your foot well. Wearing wet sandals can cause you to fall particularly getting in and out of the boats. Barefeet on our beach are a problem, there are sharp oyster shells on the beach and it’s rocky.
o Protest yourself from the weather, wear a hat, have sunglasses if you need them, and use sunscreen
o You might want to take drinking water if you’re going out for awhile.
o If you are taking things along with you, stow them properly so they won’t get in your way
o If the wind begins to pickup come directly back to the cottage
o Don’t drag the boats across the beach, or up and down the boat ramp. Please carry the kayaks, put the row boat on its trailer, and use fold down wheels on the aluminum boat.
o Aluminum Boat Fold-down Wheels. There is a ring and a pin which holds the wheel in position.
o Row Boat Trailer. There is a light aluminum trailer on the south side of the cottage designed for the row boat. You can use it for moving the boat across the beach.
I have read the above rules and responsibilities, I understand them, and I agree to use the boats in a manner which complies these rules and responsibilities.
Renter_____________________________ Date_______________