Interesting Idea - Rent your own motor boat and drive yourself down the Grand Canal and all around Venice. Anyone interested? I wonder what the licensing/permit requirements are to motor your own. Imagine Avis or Hertz Rent a Gondola or Motor Boat...

Hey, good idea, mister entrepreneur. And Rent-your-own cable car for San Francisco. Drive your own cattle through the streets of Fort Worth.<BR><BR>Rent a bus for the freeways of Los Angeles. One that can't go less than 55 mph or it will blow up!<BR>

I was thinking that some of the wealthy residents of Venice probably have their own motor boats. Or must they get around with licensed &quot;taxis&quot;? Planning my first trip in July, just curious whether residents can motor their own, and, if so, can wiseguy tourists do likewise?

you can, but they are starting to crack down on random people boating on the Grand Canal due to flooding.

Where oh where is Elvira when we need her? A couple of years ago she posted a trip report about a group of gals (they call themselves the Loons) who rented a boat in Venice and lived on it, motoring all over the place for a week or so. Funny report. Something about the toilet sucking mud and ham tacos?? Anyone want to search?