It's a step up from renting out a Boston Whaler - having your own luxury deck boat with plush seating, its own music system and room for up to 10 people to comfortably enjoy a picnic and cocktails while exploring the islands and inlets of the Lakes and the Great Sound.

There is even a foldaway changing room onboard for those who want to slip into a bathing costume.

Dreamcatcher Boat Rentals has just plugged into a gap in the market that owner Terry Mahoney is so certain will grow he is investing in a further three rental boats for next summer to add to his current three.

The enterprise is aimed mainly at those people who could afford a boat but don't want the hassle, or expats who are only on the Island for a limited amount of time.

There is also a corporate angle which Mr. Mahoney intends to promote by encouraging companies who want to foster team-building to rent out his boats for on-the-water treasure hunt events with competing teams.

Explaining why he started the business, Mr. Mahoney said: "I was looking around at the rental boats. I looked around for the most comfortable and best looking deck boat that I could find, that would seat eight to 10 people comfortably.

"There are people who can afford a boat but don't want to because it is a headache. And a lot of the expat people are here for six years maybe and do they want to buy a boat? With this option all they have to do is call up and book it and you don't even have to bring your cooler because we will supply everything.

"When our website is completed in the next few weeks there will be menus on it.

"You can pick top of the line Fourways-type food to lunch boxes, to sushi even. When people take out the boat all they have to do is come down."

Renters can opt to bring their own food if they wish, or pay a little extra to have it all taken care. The beauty of the business is that customers can knock off work and head straight for the dock and hop on board, taking charge of the easy to pilot rental boat.

"If there is a group of you who knock off at 4 p.m. and you want to rent a boat you can come down and everything will be here for you and you just go," said Mr. Mahoney.

"This hull manoeuvres quite easily, it's square and the engine is in the middle."

Mr. Mahoney said that even for a half-day rental it is possible to travel from Barr's Park in Hamilton to Mangrove Bay, Somerset, have a swim and something to eat and take your time coming back slowly and through the islands within the four-hour period.

The boat will be delivered to the spot where the renter wants to board, and it operates in the region from Barr's Park, Hamilton, up to Spanish Point, across to Commissioner's Point and Daniel's Head.

The steering console includes a plug in socket for Ipod, MP3s of discmans so renters can listen to their own choice of music, or simply tune into the local radio. For getting in and out of the water there is a rear-boarding ladder. For sun worshippers there is a suntrap platform at the rear of the boat to rest on.

Food and drinks can be served at a central table, there is a carpeted floor, three gates to get in and out of the water and a bimini shade to escape direct sunlight.

The three boats are named Dreamchaser, Catch a Dream and Dark and Dreamy. A further three boats are expected to join Mr. Mahoney's fleet next May.

Dreamcatcher Boat Rentals can be contacted by calling 53 DREAM (533-7326) or email dreamcatcher@logic.bm