5 ways non-boat owners can get out on the water this summer

But wonder no more. There are a number of other ways that can get you on the water without the need to make a bit of space in the driveway.

Here are a few ideas of how you can get it done.

Almost anywhere there is a body of water there’s a group of people who enjoy going out on it once or twice a week for a sail.

A sailing club will have boats constantly on the look-out for crew – a great place to learn some sailing skills – and may even have a number of boats tucked away in the shed that you can lease for a season if you feel like flying solo.

Despite the glossy images of smiling people sipping glasses of chilled pinot as the modelling agency-grade skipper steers towards the sunset, the reality is that sailing can be a fair bit of physical work, so be prepared to jump back on the dock with a few aches and pains.

Club memberships range from just a few hundred dollars for the smaller ones up to multiple thousands for the more elite ones with a deep historical pedigree and a big, fancy bar facing the water.

Sailing can take place over several days of the week, with summer twilight racing a good way to close off a day.

Yep, this is a thing. Anywhere there’s a big body of water and a lot of people, someone somewhere will be hiring out a boat.

You may not even need a boat licence to hire one.

The scale of boats ranges from small picnic boats with electric motors that ply a number of major city rivers, small put-put cuddy cabs decked out for fishing that have speed and geographical restrictions (something that travels at only five knots won’t fare very well in a bar crossing), right up to barebone boat charters that allow you to motor somewhere, tie up and live aboard for a while.

Several apps tap into gig economy technology to help connect people with and without boats.

If you like your fishing, services such as Boatigo aim to connect boat owners keen on fishing with likeminded people who don’t have a boat.

The app allows boat owners to set a daily fee for someone jumping onboard and taking a spare seat.

If you don’t really want to move locations, services such as AirBNB and bookings.com list boats that offer all of the on-water experience without the need to move anywhere.

The US has seen a big rise in the number of people who are more keen to jump on a boat sharing scheme than worry about all the hassle of maintenance and storage themselves.

Schemes such as Sydney- and Akuna Bay-based Boatlife Society offer a hassle-free ownership experience where you pay a one-off joining fee and an ongoing monthly fee, but grab the keys to a clean, well-maintained boat already on the water each time you head out.

Boat share clubs are a good option for first-time boaters because an experienced skipper is on hand to help you, even if it is just suggesting the best place to head out for the day.

No harm in asking that mate with a boat if you can’t tag along occasionally if they have the room.

This is the best low-cost option, and one of the most socially comfortable as you already know the person you’re heading out with.

Be prepared to take some initiative and pitch in to help when needed, such as holding a docking line, bringing a bag of snacks to share, picking up the tab for the bait or even shouting a cup of coffee before you head out for the day.

If you want that relationship to last beyond a single day, don’t forget to browse our fishing boat owner’s gift guide for the perfect way to say thank you.