FORT WALTON BEACH BOAT RENTAL FIELD GUIDE
Take the Helm: A Six‑Hour Bareboat Charter off Fort Walton Beach
A private, six‑hour bareboat charter from Fort Walton Beach — you rent the boat (up to nine people with fees) and arrange your own skipper; this guide explains the costs, regulations, and practical steps to get underway.
Take the Helm: A Six‑Hour Bareboat Charter off Fort Walton Beach.
Crab Island Voyages offers a six‑hour private bareboat charter out of Fort Walton Beach: you pay for the boat and either skipper up yourself or hire an independent Master/Skipper to operate it. The arrangement comes with a written Charterer Agreement and specific U.S. Coast Guard restrictions that determine how many people can be carried depending on whether a licensed captain is aboard, so preparation and paperwork matter as much as seamanship.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Bareboat: you rent the boat, hire the captain
This is a true bareboat charter: the base booking covers the vessel only. A separate fee is required for an approved Master/Skipper and for fuel; captains are independent contractors and are paid directly on the day of the trip, with typical rates quoted between $125 and $400.
Seasonal six‑hour pricing and passenger add‑ons
Rates vary by season: March–April six‑hour charters are listed at $600 + tax + a $300 operator fee; May–October six‑hour charters are listed at $650 + tax + a $300 operator fee. The base price covers up to eight passengers; an additional, ninth passenger can be added for $25 (this can be changed up to 24 hours before the charter).
USCG limits and the lease option for larger groups
Under U.S. Coast Guard regulations the operator can carry only six people on a charter with a licensed captain; if your party exceeds six people the company will lease the boat to you so you may hire an operator to drive. The Charterer assumes command and responsibility for the vessel under federal and state maritime law, and the owner cannot specify the crew.
What the day feels like
How the Six Hours Unfold
A typical booking is sold as a six‑hour block in which you control the vessel or bring a hired Master/Skipper. Expect to complete a Charterer Agreement and Waiver with your booking confirmation, supply skipper documentation when you reserve, and finalize captain payment and any fuel surcharge on arrival. Operators maintain a list of recommended captains, but the charterer selects and contracts the skipper directly.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this charter suits — and who should plan an alternative.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring identification and any documentation required for your chosen skipper; have payment ready for the captain (rates $125–$400) and for any extra passenger fee ($25 for a ninth passenger). You will receive a Charterer Agreement & Waiver with your booking confirmation.
When booking you are paying for the boat only; a separate fee is required for an approved Master/Skipper and for fuel. Captains are independent contractors paid directly, typically upon arrival.
March–April six‑hour charters are $600 + tax + a $300 operator fee; May–October six‑hour charters are $650 + tax + a $300 operator fee. Additional passenger fees and captain fees are separate.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Is a captain included in the price?
No. The base booking covers the boat only. A separate fee is required for an approved Master/Skipper, who is an independent contractor paid directly by the charterer.
How many people can we have on board?
The base price includes up to eight passengers and a ninth can be added for $25. However, U.S. Coast Guard regulations permit only six people on a charter with a licensed captain; for groups larger than six the operator will lease the boat so you can hire an operator to drive.
What are the six‑hour rates?
March–April: $600 + tax + $300 operator fee for six hours. May–October: $650 + tax + $300 operator fee for six hours. Additional passenger fees and captain/fuel charges are separate.
When and how are captain fees paid?
Captains are paid directly by the charterer, typically upon arrival the day of the trip. Quoted captain rates range from $125 to $400 depending on trip selection; gratuity is not included.
Will the operator provide a skipper or crew?
No. Uninspected private recreational vessels are chartered/leased to the Charterer through a written agreement; the owner does not provide a Master/Skipper or crew and cannot specify the crew. The owner can recommend captains, but the Charterer selects and contracts the skipper directly.
What paperwork will I receive?
You will receive a Charterer Agreement & Waiver with your booking confirmation; the Charterer assumes responsibility for vessel operation in accordance with federal and state maritime law during the charter.