Chartering a boat: How to charter your boat?

CHARTERING

The act of renting a boat is termed CHARTERING, except for runabouts and waterskiing boats hired on an hourly or daily basis.
As a boater, you may decide that you want to charter another person's vessel, or you may want your boat to earn her own keep when you won't be using her. We will consider these two situations separately.

Chartering Another Person's Boat

If you have time for no boating activities at all except for a few vacation weeks each year, it may not make good economic sense to own and maintain your boat for such limited use. Or you may have thoroughly explored the areas accessible to you with your own boat, and want to try areas farther away. In either case, chartering is the way to go. Charters of both power and sailing vessels are available in almost all boating areas. Most charters begin and end at the same port, but some can be set up to cruise from "here" to "there" one-way.
Crewed or Bareboat Your charter can be either CREWED or BAREBOAT. Crewed means that the vessel’s owner furnishes a captain and often a cook/mate who retains all responsibilities for the functionality of the boat. You and your family or friends are "guests" aboard and have few responsibilities. You and your party may participate in the sailing and navigation activities if you like, but always under the supervision of the captain, who is often the vessel's owner.
On the other hand, a bareboat charter appeals to those who want to handle the boat themselves, without paid crew.
Crewed charters normally include all provisions and supplies. Bareboat charters may or may not include food and beverages, or these may be available at an additional fee (this is recommended as it permits you to get underway without delay). The CHARTER AGREEMENT states exactly what is supplied by the owner, plus his responsibilities as charterer as well as yours.
People ask

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How to charter your boat?

Chartering Your Boat

If you want to charter your on-n boat, you can do this directly, but most owners will work through an agent or broker. Any chartering must be under a written agreement. If you charter directly, the charter agreement form should be examined by a lawyer qualified and experienced in such matters. With an agent or broker, you can get customers more easily and be free from much paperwork, and you'll also know that the charter is being handled legally and efficiently. You will probably also need guidance about charges for the basic charter and for the optional services. You can get help from a professional agent or broker, but you do not need to give him an exclusive hold on your boat.
Check Your Insurance Before making even the first move chartering your boat, check your insurance policy. It most likely prohibits chartering, but the restriction can be removed with an endorsement, which requires the payment of an additional premium. You may also want to increase your liability coverage under these new circumstances.
Licenses & Regulations If you are going to captain your boat while chartering, you '€vill be "carrying passengers for hire." In U.S. waters this will require a U.S. Coast Guard license of the proper type for the waters used, the type and size of vessel, and the number of passengers carried. If you plan to carry more than six guests, your boat must be inspected by the Coast Guard and meet much more stringent requirements than for your own use or when carrying six or fewer passengers; In the waters of other nations, the requirements may vary, and there may be restrictions as to citizenship; check carefully.
Tax Aspects of Chartering The income and expenses of operating a boat for charter will materially affect your income tax status. Check appropriate government publications and seek professional advice.

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