Cruising houseboats all over the world

What is a motor cruiser?

The term motor cruiser covers a broad family of powerboats, ranging from the fast RIB to the large liveaboard vessel. This page focuses on the liveaboard cruising motorboat: a vessel made up of one or more cabins and a spacious living area, renowned for its comfort. Depending on the model, it has either an inboard or an outboard engine. Versatile by nature, it is equally at home at sea, for reaching an island or a nearby beach quickly, and on a river or canal. Its intuitive handling and the thrill of speed make it an excellent choice for a first boating experience with family or friends.

Motor cruiser, trawler, cabin cruiser, RIB: what are the differences?

The motor cruiser stands apart from other powerboats thanks to its balance of comfort, livability and performance. The table below sums up the main differences:

Which motor cruiser should you choose? The key criteria

Before you rent a motor cruiser, you need to choose the model that best suits your needs. Several practical criteria will guide that choice:

• Size and capacity: be sure to distinguish the daytime cruising capacity, which is often higher, from the actual number of berths for nights on board. A liveaboard motor cruiser generally comes in versions with 2 to 4 cabins.
• The engine: the inboard engine, housed within the hull, powers many liveaboard motor cruisers and offers power, range, and quiet running; the outboard, mounted on the stern, is easier to maintain and is found across much of the recent fleet, from RIBs to mid-sized motor cruisers.
• Equipment and comfort: a fully equipped galley, a head with hot water, air conditioning, a sun deck, a swim platform, and Wi-Fi all make a real difference on a stay of several days.
• The cruising area: sea or river, your choice of model and license requirements follow directly from it.

The different types of motor cruiser

Depending on your cruising area, the motor cruiser comes in several clearly distinct configurations for the sea and for the river.

Sea-going motor cruisers

• The open motor cruiser: open and sociable, perfect for sunny outings.
• The flybridge motor cruiser: fitted with a raised helm station and a second living area on top.
• The hard-top motor cruiser: protected by a rigid roof, for cruising in all weather.
• The sports motor cruiser: built for speed and thrills.
• The fishing motor cruiser: equipped for trips offshore.

River motor cruisers

• The aft-cockpit model (OK type): reaches the smallest canals with ease and offers excellent visibility from the helm. It lets you step out comfortably into the cockpit and then move along the side decks for maneuvers.
• The Dutch motor cruiser (AK type): the most widespread on Europe's waterways. It prioritizes greater livability, with more generous interior volumes, in exchange for slightly less agility in tight passages.

Renting a motor cruiser at sea

At sea, the motor cruiser opens up access to coves and anchorages you could not otherwise reach, all in great cruising comfort.

Coastal stops

It's a popular way to get around coastal resort towns, particularly along the Atlantic coast and during a boat rental in the Mediterranean, where it lets you fit in several stops in a single day. Be careful where you drop anchor, though: anchoring is now regulated over Posidonia seagrass meadows, a protected marine plant, and banned in certain zones. Check the authorized anchoring areas to protect the seabed and avoid any violation of the rules.

Water sports

The motor cruiser also appeals to water sports enthusiasts. Its powerful engine makes it an ideal platform for:

• water skiing;
• wakeboarding;
• towable tubes;
• parasailing.

Others simply choose it for the pleasure of cruising at full speed, where local maritime regulations allow.

The liveaboard motor cruiser for cruising

With its cabins and living area, the liveaboard motor cruiser lets you set off for several days without worrying about accommodations ashore. You sleep at anchor, in coves of your choosing, and enjoy comfort comparable to that of an apartment, as close to the water as possible.

Renting a river motor cruiser

River boat rental is the best way to cruise peacefully along canals and rivers, to reach the far bank of a lake, or to link two nearby port towns. You moor up freely, whenever you feel like it, near a picturesque village or a nature reserve.

Cruising on canals and rivers

The river motor cruiser is prized for its maneuverability and comfort. It threads through the canals, passes through the locks, and opens up whole regions that you discover in a different way, at the pace of the water. Cruising takes place by day only, leaving long, peaceful evenings at the mooring. It is an ideal formula for a fun stay with family or friends.

The license-free option

Good news: many river models can be handled without a license. On most canals, the power of the boats on offer is capped by regulations, which makes license-free boat cruising accessible to any adult, with no qualification or particular experience required. You'll get a short handling briefing before departure from the base.

With or without a captain: which to choose?

This is the first decision to make for your motor cruiser rental, and it depends directly on your skills and your wishes:

• Without a captain: if you hold the right license and have cruising experience, the boat is entirely yours and you organize your cruise in complete freedom.
• With a captain (at sea) or a pilot (on the river): if no one on board can take the helm, if you do not hold the required license, or if you want a fully relaxing vacation, the professional takes charge of the cruising and shares their knowledge of the area to guide you to the best anchorages.

Where can you rent a motor cruiser?

The Filovent fleet is present all over the world, at sea as well as on rivers. Here are the main cruising areas:

Do you need a license to rent a motor cruiser?

It all depends on the cruising area and the type of boat. Here are the three possible cases:

• At sea: a coastal pleasure-craft license is required as soon as the engine exceeds 6 horsepower, and it is enough to cruise up to 6 nautical miles from a shelter. Beyond that distance, the offshore endorsement becomes mandatory.
• For river cruising: a river license is required for the most powerful liveaboard motor cruisers, but many models can be rented without a license, as the power is then capped by canal regulations.
• The captain option: if you hold no license at all and wish to cruise on a boat that requires one, the solution is to call on a professional captain or pilot who takes full responsibility for the cruising.

What budget should you plan for to rent a motor cruiser?

The price of a motor cruiser rental depends on many criteria, and every quote is custom-built. Rates vary widely: a two-day outing on a mid-sized motor cruiser can start at around $430, while a large liveaboard motor cruiser with crew sits in a markedly higher bracket. Large vessels skew the average upward, so don't rely on a single price.

The factors that affect the price

Several factors influence the rate:

• the model and its age;
• the length of the stay;
• the cruising season;
• the number of people on board;
• the departure port.

As the range is wide, from the RIB to the large liveaboard motor cruiser, you simply need to fill in your criteria so that our specialist advisors can send you the best offers to match your plans.

Deposit, down payment, and insurance

A booking is confirmed by paying a down payment, and a security deposit is requested at check-in to cover any damage. We advise you to purchase two complementary insurance policies:

• Cancellation insurance: it protects you should something unforeseen prevent you from setting off.
• Deposit waiver insurance: it lets you recover a significant part of your deposit in the event of damage related to cruising.

Booking your motor cruiser with Filovent

To book, tell us your cruising criteria and request a fully personalized quote. The process works in four simple steps:

• you fill in your criteria and send your quote request;
• an advisor contacts you by phone to understand your plans;
• you receive suitable boat suggestions by email;
• you confirm the rental by paying a down payment from your customer account.

With more than 25 years of experience and a fleet present all over the world, our team is by your side before, during, and after your motorboat cruise.

Frequently asked questions about motor cruiser rental

What is the average price of a motor cruiser rental?

There is no single rate, as the price varies according to the model, the season, the length of stay, and the destination. A two-day outing on a mid-sized motor cruiser can start at around $430, but large liveaboard vessels with crew reach far higher amounts. The best approach is to request a personalized quote to obtain a precise bracket matching your plans.

Is fuel included in the price?

No, fuel is not included in the rental price. It is charged separately, usually based on actual consumption: the boat is supplied with a full tank and must be returned in the same state, or the fuel used is deducted on return. Remember to factor it into your budget, particularly for fast motor cruisers, whose consumption can be high.

What is the minimum rental period?

It depends on the boat and the destination. Many motor cruisers can be rented by the day for an outing at sea, whereas liveaboard river cruises are generally booked for several days, often by the week in high season.

When is the best time to rent a motor cruiser?

The season generally runs from April to October, peaking in July and August. To enjoy mild weather and gentler rates, spring and the shoulder season (May, June, September) offer an excellent compromise, with less crowded spots.

From what age can you rent a motor cruiser without a license?

For license-free river boats, river boat rental is open to any adult, that is from 18 years of age, with no prior qualification or experience. A handling orientation is provided when you set off.

Can you cruise at night on a river motor cruiser?

No. River cruising at night is prohibited. You moor up in the evening, freely choosing your stopping place along the canal or river.

Good to know