How to Charter a Boat for Personal Use

Boating has always been a popular pastime, and these days boats are chartered in pretty much all shapes and sizes, all over the world. Intricacies of the process may vary from charter company to charter company, but the process basically involves selecting a reputable charter company operating in the area in which you would like to boat. Fortunately, the Internet makes it possible to do this from the comfort of your own home.

• 1

  Decide whether you want to charter a boat with a full crew or opt for a "bare bones charter," in which you will rent a boat and maybe some supplies. Which option you choose will depend largely on the scale of your boat outing. If you are planning a major outing or lengthy trip, for example, you will probably want to charter a decent size yacht with a crew. A bare bones charter may be more appropriate for a one-day fishing trip. Bare bones charters are usually geared toward boaters with a great deal of experience.

• 2

  Select the location of your outing based on what you want to do and how much you can afford to spend to travel. You would probably not want to go scuba diving off the coast of New Jersey, for example.

• 3

  Check the credentials of charter companies. You can do this online, searching based on the area in which you will need to make your rental. Make sure to do research on any of the charter companies you find, checking into matters such as safety records and fraud accusations. A good clue as to whether or not a company is reputable is its website. If a company hasn't taken the time to develop an appealing, professional website, it may not take much better care of its charter equipment. If you have friends who are boating enthusiasts, make sure to ask them for recommendations.

• 4

  Book your charter. This is usually possible online as well, though some companies may prefer customers call and book over the phone. Payment plans may vary, but in many cases you will be required to make a down payment for a reservation and pay the balance either after your trip is over or right before it begins. The cost of a given charter will depend on the size of the boat, whether it will be crewed or not, how many people you are bringing and a host of other factors, including location.

• 5

  Complete any required legal documentation. The charter company may have you sign certain release forms prior to your participation in the charter, particularly if you have scheduled a bare bones charter. Make sure to read all these documents carefully before signing.