What do you need to rent a yacht in Miami?

If you are headed towards Miami and are looking for a yachting adventure, stick around to find out what you need to operate and rent a yacht.

Everything you need to know about renting a yacht in Miami

What are the requirements to rent a boat in Miami? 

To be able to rent a vessel in Miami, there are two requirements: you must be 18 years of age and you have to complete a boating safety course. You don’t need a local boating license.  

Once you finish a boating safety education course, you will be issued a Boater’s Education Card that allows you to operate a boat in the sunshine state. If you already have a boating license from another US state, the license would be valid in Florida as well.

Do yacht rental companies have their own age requirements?

Be aware that some yacht rental companies have their own conditions when renting out high-end yachts. Typically, the age requirement for renting a yacht is to be at least 27 years old. But if you are a licensed and experienced boater, rentors could waive the age limit term. 

Alternatively, you can hire a USCG Licensed Captain for your yachting trip.

How to obtain a Boating Safety Education Identification Card?

If you want to operate a motor-driven boat of 10 hp or more and you are born after January 1, 1988, carrying a Boating Safety Education ID is required by law.

In order to obtain a Boating Safety Education Identification Card in Florida, you need to pass a certified boater safety course. The course should be approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Once you have taken the boating safety course, submit a letter with your personal and contact details and proof of course completion to the FWC. You will shortly get your valid Boating Safety card.

What do I need to drive the yacht rental? 

Most yacht rental companies require proof of expertise, not only on paper but on practice as well. You can prove you are competent to navigate a yacht during orientation before you head out to sea. The orientation is not a course, so if you have no idea how to drive a yacht, you are obliged to hire a captain.

What is included in the Rental Agreement?

Note that the sail.me platform is just a mediator between renters and rentors. Every yacht rental company sets its own contracts and rental agreements. 

Typically, a yacht rental agreement includes information about:

• Yachts specifications
• Yacht rental duration
• Rental requirements
• Where you are allowed to sail
• What equipment is on board
• What is covered by the boat insurance (if such)
• Liability information
• Deposit and cancellation policies
• Emergency procedures

Just like with any other contract, make sure to read the fine print and get acquainted with all the rental conditions before you sign the agreement.

Is Safety Equipment provided?

Yacht rental operators are required to provide essential safety equipment. Before you sail off, the operator has to give you a throughout boat tour and show you where all safety gear is stored. For maximum safety, make sure to confirm there are enough lifejackets for all yacht passengers.

What is the role of a captain and how much do they charge?

The role of the Captain is to follow an itinerary, keep you on schedule and drive the yacht wherever you want to go (within range). 

The cost to hire a Captain in Miami is around $300 per day. If you rent a yacht without a Captain, then when you hire one you need to sign a separate contract.  

Where can I sail with the yacht rental?

Unless you book a yacht with a Captain and a specific remote itinerary, most yacht rental operators allow sailing only in the Miami Intracoastal Waterways. Usually, the yacht sailing range lies between Haulover Sandbar and Key Biscayne Park, but the approved zone varies.

Check your rental agreement for more information on where you can take the yacht. Taking the yacht rental outside of the allowed zone is a contract breach. So you may have to pay a fine or lose your deposit.

With a Captain, you can go almost anywhere if the agreement and the weather allow it.

Can I take a yacht rental on the Open Ocean? 

Chances are, you would not be authorized to take a yacht rental on the open ocean on your own. Not unless you hire a USCG Licensed Captain and your Miami rental contract allows sailing in open waters.

When should I bring the yacht back? 

You can negotiate the scheduled return time upon renting a yacht. It would also be stated in the rental agreement. As a yacht renter, it is your responsibility to take the vessel back to the marina in time.

What does a Miami yacht rental insurance cover?

Not all boats have insurance, however, luxury yachts do. Since there are different types of boating insurances and each company decides for their vessels, there is no definite guide to what yacht insurance covers.

The most standard practice with rental boats is that the person who rents the boat accepts all liability for damage. If you want to learn more about the liability coverage of your yacht rental, it should be outlined in the rental agreement.