Question:
Florida Keys/Pontoon boat rentals?
Some questions for anyone willing to part with info
about renting a small boat in the keys in March:
Any experience/license required?
Recommended rental places / best key to explore from?
Likely daily rates?
How far can one travel out?
Any other tips appreciated
Answer:
- Expect to pay around $150/day for an 18-20 ft w/ 115 hp ob dry. $350 deposit. I
was told they would keep deposit If I pulled a skii or wake board.
- Some of them will provide a "map" that you are suppose to "stay" in. I ignore
it completely. Their arms aren't that long and I'm paying for the God Damn gas.
I would imagine you will catch some grief if you break down and they have to
come and get you "out of the area". Just remember March can get rough as Hell
offshore though the Bayside is almost always an option.
Avoid the concession at Pennekamp as they have underpowered, beatup, POS, boats
and are assholes to boot. They way I saw them "treat" a customer made me just
walk away in disgust. Italian Fishermen's fleet (Key Largo) also was rather
"ratty" but they may have upgraded since I last saw them.
You might also contact real estate agents who rent houses. A friend of mine
renting a 19' Whaler for a week last year from one. Worker out to about $100 a
day.
- Most of the places I stopped at, put 90 HP on 18-20 ft boats.
Definitely don't mention waterskiing. They all think it will blow their
engines. And, judging from some of the POS's I saw, it probably would.
Not that waterskiing would be the root cause...
I finally managed to hire a well-worn, algae-bottomed, 26' fishing boat,
with twin 175s. He pulled me at an anemic 32 mph for about 30 minutes,
before one engine blew.s
