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Displaying items by tag: Renting

#BUYING A BOAT - With the current economy making everyone think twice before they spend, the question of whether to buy or rent a boat is one being asked more and more often in the marketplace. But what should you consider before you make that decision?

Moose Landing Marina in Maine outlines the main points to be mindful of when you're on the look-out for a new vessel.

First things first is to figure out how often you plan on using your boat. If it's only a few times a year, then perhaps renting would be the most cost-effective option. But if you plan to take it out every week, spending more up front would surely bring you bigger savings in the long run.

If you're new to boating, evaluating the costs will surely be a primary concern. It might be prudent to consider renting for a time while you get your feet wet.

Maintenance should also be considered, as when you buy a boat you're also taking responsibility for its upkeep - making sure all fixtures and fittings are up to scratch and the engine is in clean running order.

Find out more on whether to rent or buy a new boat HERE.

Published in Marketplace

Marine Wildlife Around Ireland One of the greatest memories of any day spent boating around the Irish coast is an encounter with marine wildlife.  It's a thrill for young and old to witness seabirds, seals, dolphins and whales right there in their own habitat. As boaters fortunate enough to have experienced it will testify even spotting a distant dorsal fin can be the highlight of any day afloat.  Was that a porpoise? Was it a whale? No matter how brief the glimpse it's a privilege to share the seas with Irish marine wildlife.

Thanks to the location of our beautiful little island, perched in the North Atlantic Ocean there appears to be no shortage of marine life to observe.

From whales to dolphins, seals, sharks and other ocean animals this page documents the most interesting accounts of marine wildlife around our shores. We're keen to receive your observations, your photos, links and youtube clips.

Boaters have a unique perspective and all those who go afloat, from inshore kayaking to offshore yacht racing that what they encounter can be of real value to specialist organisations such as the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) who compile a list of sightings and strandings. The IWDG knowledge base has increased over the past 21 years thanks in part at least to the observations of sailors, anglers, kayakers and boaters.

Thanks to the IWDG work we now know we share the seas with dozens of species who also call Ireland home. Here's the current list: Atlantic white-sided dolphin, beluga whale, blue whale, bottlenose dolphin, common dolphin, Cuvier's beaked whale, false killer whale, fin whale, Gervais' beaked whale, harbour porpoise, humpback whale, killer whale, minke whale, northern bottlenose whale, northern right whale, pilot whale, pygmy sperm whale, Risso's dolphin, sei whale, Sowerby's beaked whale, sperm whale, striped dolphin, True's beaked whale and white-beaked dolphin.

But as impressive as the species list is the IWDG believe there are still gaps in our knowledge. Next time you are out on the ocean waves keep a sharp look out!