-
No, you must have prior boating experience before you can rent a boat from us. You can think of renting a boat as being similar to renting a car. Without any prior driving experience you would not be allowed to rent a car, nor would it be safe for you to do so. The same applies to renting a boat.
How do you gain boating experience? Well, for starters, we recommend taking a boating safety course to gain the knowledge necessary to operate a boat. The FWC has a list of boating safety courses. Many of the courses are low cost and can be completed online. Upon passing the course you will receive an FWC issued Boating Safety Education Identification Card.
Another detail worth noting: A Boating Safety Education ID Card is required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who wants to operate a boat in the state of Florida. But we recommend that every boater take a boating safety course, no matter what your age.
-
In Florida, there is no such thing as a “boating license”. If you were born on or after January 1, 1988, you are required to carry an FWC issued Boating Safety Education ID Card. Click here to find out more about what the law requires and how to get your card.
-
You must be 21 years of age or older to rent a boat from Off the Hook Boating.
Also, if you were born on or after January 1, 1988, you are required to carry an FWC issued Boating Safety Education ID Card. Click here to find out more about what the law requires and how to get your card.
-
Yes, Florida law requires individual fishing licenses for both residents and visitors 16 years of age or older. You are required to carry your license with you while fishing. You can obtain a fishing license online at gooutdoorsflorida.com
-
The Sarasota area offers a variety of picturesque locales to discover and explore. Some of the area’s most beautiful sandbars and pristine beaches are accessible only by boat! Check our blogs for more info!
Here are some popular boating destinations within 10 miles north and 10 miles south of Centennial Park Marina:
- Big Sarasota Pass 27.2973° N, 82.5643° W
- Sand Dollar Island 27.2918° N, 82.5627° W
- Jewfish Key 27.4417° N, 82.6793° W
- Beer can Beach 27.4379° N, 82.6880° W
- Passage Key 27.5567° N, 82.7432° W
- Egmont Key 27.5891° N, 82.7628° W
- Boca Grande 26.8151° N, 82.2718° W
- North Lido Beach 27.3206° N, 82.5869° W
- South Lido Key Beach 27.2992° N, 82.5670° W
Restaurants with boat docks (check out our blog posts for more details):
- Marina Jack 27.3330° N, 82.5461° W
- Old Salty Dog 27.3341° N, 82.5789° W
- Dry Dock Waterfront Grill 27.33934, -82.58988
- The Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill 27.2410332 ,-82.3160478.
- O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill 27.331386976219, -82.54371607295.
- Shore on Longboat Key 27.43566 N, -82.685178 W ICW#39
-
In the Intracoastal Waterway, the speed limit is 25 mph inside marked channels and idle speed outside marked channels.
-
The navigation of our boats is confined to 20 miles north or south of Centennial Park marina in the Intracoastal Waterway.
Pontoon boats on the other hand, are not built to navigate the open ocean and are not permitted to go into the Gulf of Mexico. You must keep your pontoon boat rental in the Intracoastal Waterway.
All of our boats are equipped with a tracker and have a set Geo Zone. Going beyond the boundaries of the Geo Zone can lead to the loss of the security deposit.
-
By meticulously maintaining our rental fleet and providing you with all of the necessary safety equipment, we do all we can to minimize the possibility of any problems occurring. However, if you do encounter an issue that is not life-threatening, involving your rented boat during the rental period, please call us right away, at any time (941) 404-7900.
In the event of a life-threatening emergency, please call the Coast Guard or dial 911.
-
Yes, you do need a credit card on file to rent the boat from us. If applicable, your cc will be charged for things like fuel usage, refundable security deposits, and any additional damage caused to the vessel while renting.
-
To ensure availability, reservations are required. We recommend reserving your boat at least 2 days in advance. You can reserve online or by phone/text at (941) 404-7900.
-
Yes – Our main boat launch location is Centennial Park located at 1059 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota. For Nokomis and Turtle Beach launch locations, we require a minimum 2 days rental. We may be able to deliver to your dock, depending on staff availability and distance of the dock. Extra fees may apply.
-
Yes, we require a $1,000.00 damage deposit. Once the boat has been returned damage free, we release the hold within 72 hours.
-
Besides the $1,000 damage deposit (see above), the following fees apply:
-
7% sales tax on your price of your rental, 6% merchant fees, and
-
Fuel usage costs. You will begin your rental period with a full tank of fuel, and we will fill the tank for you when you return. You will be responsible for any fuel costs you incur during your rental period. Fuel is $5.50/gallon.
-
-
If you cancel your reservation at least 48 hours in advance, you will receive a full refund. Otherwise, you will not receive a refund.
There is one exception to our policy. If the National Weather Service issues a small craft advisory for our area, we will not allow any rental boats to launch. In this case, you will receive a full refund.
-
-
2 Anchors
-
All safety equipment approved by the U.S Coast Guard
-
Dock lines
-
Bluetooth Stereo
-
Fenders
-
Fish finder
-
GPS/ Chart / map of the waterways
-
-
We do have a network of captains we work with so please ask us but it is not guarantied.
-
We love furry friends but unfortunately we do not allow them on the boats.
-
Yes, to aid in navigation all of our boats have a chart plotter with depth finder, fish finder and gps. at no extra charge.
-
Yes, fishing poles are available for rent upon request for an additional fee. Fishing pole holders are only currently available on the Mako Center Console.
-
-
Our local waterways are teeming with fish and other wildlife. It’s very likely that you’ll spot dolphins at play, see manatees floating beneath the surface, or even catch sight of a sting ray. There are many other fantastic creatures you might encounter along the way. This is your opportunity to observe sea creatures in their natural habitat. We think you’ll agree that it sure beats the aquarium!
Bird watchers will delight in the varieties of exotic birds that call our coastline home. Keep on the look-out for your favorites, like Great Blue Herons or Roseate Spoonbills, as they wade through the shallows or perch in the mangroves and other tropical plant life along the way.
-
When your boating experience is drawing to a close, here’s what you need to do:
-
Return at your designed time to the same dock where you launched. You have a 15 min grace period, if you arrive later than that, a late fee will apply.
-
Please remove all of your belongings from the boat when you leave. We are not liable if leave it so please double check you’ve collected all of your belongings.
You aren’t expected to clean the boat. Cleaning is included in the price of your rental.
-
-
I’m glad you asked! We so appreciate and support our public servants for all they do. Just ask about discounted rates when booking your boat rental with Off the Hook Boating.
-
Yes, we will provide you with all the safety equipment you need to make your ride a wonderful one; we have lifejackets for your small ones, just please let us know beforehand for more than 2 children going with you.
-
Unfortunately we don’t have Jet Ski rentals at the moment. However, we do have a network of recommended providers so just ask 🙂
-
We understand Mother Nature, and since it is not our customers fault neither ours we are willing to reschedule for any unforeseen circumstances, like Thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornados alerts, high tides alerts, etc. The customer will have a chance to reschedule their reservation to another available time, and will have up to 1 year to do so. If you are traveling from another country or state, we recommend you get the weather protection, which will provide you with a full refund in case this happens. For weather purposes we check our weather software, and we will determine with a couple hours before the reservation to be as accurate as we can if it’s safe to go out and if the rain will affect our area. Please stay in contact with our staff members, do not assume the rental will not go on if it’s raining at that time.
