Terms & Conditions

Important Rental & Florida Boating information

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Reservations & Cancellation policy:

Reservation Policy: A 50% reservation deposit is due with reservation 91 or more days prior to the scheduled rental date. The balance is due 90 days prior to rental begin. A 100% reservation deposit is due with reservations 90 or less days prior to the scheduled rental date. In this case there will be no cash refund if cancelled, instead you will be credited your rental days for up to 2 years.

Cancellation Policy: Cancel 91 days prior to arrival by 6pm EST to avoid permanent credit card charges equal to your rental rate plus tax.

Rebooking Policy: You may rebook or change your reservation before 9:00am EST on your rental day. No rebooking fees apply, however there is a $100. non refundable fee for any cancellation.  A voucher, valid up to 2 years might be granted if you are unable to reschedule your rental day(s).

 

 

Florida requires a Boater Education Card for boaters, and not a boating license. The card is mandatory for all boat operators born on or after January 1, 1988; older boaters do not require the card.

Florida requires a Boater Education Card for boaters, and not a boating license. The regulatory authority for the card is the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The card is mandatory for all boat operators born on or after January 1, 1988; older boaters do not require the card.

There is restriction on the age of boat operators. If you are under 14 years of age, you cannot operate a personal vessel on Florida waters even if you have your Boater Card. If you are required to have a Boater Card, you must have it onboard at all times along with a photo ID. Additionally, no one under the age of 18 years may rent/lease a PWC.

It is also illegal for the owner of a PWC to knowingly allow a person under 14 years of age to operate a PWC.

The boating laws of the state require that the person operating a boat should not be under the influence of intoxicants. The legal limit of the blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% and if arrested for a higher BAC, harsh penalties may be imposed on the operator, based on the severity of the offense as well as the previous number of such convictions.
EXEMPTIONS

The following persons are exempt from the above requirements:

Boat operators possessing a valid boaters’ license issued by the U.S Coast Guard or the Canadian Government.
Operators on a private lake.
Operators holding a valid boat safety education card from another state.
Operators accompanied by a boat education card holder at least 18 years of age.

BOATER EDUCATION COURSE

To obtain the Boater Education Card, you must complete a boater education course approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), or pass an approved equivalency test.
In an approved course, students learn how to operate and maintain their boats, the legal requirements for boating, and what to do in emergencies. This ensures that boating remains a safe and fun experience.
There are various approved ways you can complete the course and obtain the card:

There are twelve FWC approved online course available on the FWC’s page.
And some classroom options are also offered: Best Boat Club (info@bestboatclub.com); U.S Coast Guard Auxiliary; United States Power Squadron.
The course duration is a minimum of eight hours with the Auxiliary unit giving options to attend one eight hour session or 12 evening sessions, Monday to Thursday.
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary charges a fee of $50.
To pass the course, you must get 80% of the answers right on the exam administered at the end of the course.
You can pre-register by visiting the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary website.
One home study course approved by the U.S. Power Squadrons and giving a proctored exam or give the test online to receive certification.
To pass the course, you must get 80% of the answers right.
You can choose to receive the material in the form of a manual, a CD or access the material online.
Contact them at 1 (888) FOR-USPS to pre-register and request study material.
One home study course conducted by the FWC.
After reading the material, you will be required to take the test on the back of the guide and mail it in for grading.
You must get 80% of the answers right to pass the course.
The course may take up to 8 hours to complete; some options require you to complete the course in one sitting.
Course materials are free. Some providers charge a fee for exams or the card: check providers’ websites for details.
A temporary card may be printed after passing the online exam.

Note: You will have to send a copy of your certificate of completion after passing any of the above stated courses to the FWC to receive your boat education identification card. Mail your certificate copy along with your name, address telephone number and date of birth to:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission