• Never assume last year’s route is still safe—shoaling changes constantly.
• Follow channel markers rather than your chart if they conflict.
• Use updated electronic charts (Navionics, Aqua Map, Garmin, etc.); see “RECOMMENDED MOBILE APPLICATIONS”
• In Southwest Florida, leaving a marked channel often means only 1–3 feet of water (or less).

• “Red Right Returning” generally applies when returning from sea.
• Along portions of the Intracoastal Waterway and connected waterways, yellow symbols on markers indicate the ICW route and may change how you follow the aids to navigation.
• When in doubt, always stay between red and green channel markers.

• Dark blue/green = deeper water
• Light green = moderate depth
• Tan/light brown = shallow flats
• Exposed sand = very shallow

Running on plane saves very little time if you’re unsure of the area.

• Right-of-way reminders — power gives way to sail; overtaken vessels hold course.
• Shallow water awareness: monitor tide charts and remain alert to changing water depths throughout the permitted rental area.
• Channel etiquette — stay to the starboard side and pass port-to-port.
• Read your charts before departure and cross-reference with your GPS.

Approach slowly – Idle speed is almost always enough. The captain MUST remain at the helm until the boat is in neutral. Passengers MUST always keep hands and feet inside boat when underway and approaching docks.

Prepare before entering

• Dock lines ready
• Fenders deployed

Use wind and current

Approach into whichever is stronger. The boat is much easier to control when moving into these forces.

• Wind
• Current

Shift sparingly

Avoid excessive shifting between forward and reverse.

Instead:

• Idle
• Coast
• Small bursts of power

Tying Dock Lines

A typical four-line setup:

• Bow line
• Stern line
• Forward spring line
• Aft spring line

Spring lines prevent the boat from moving forward or backward. Use a proper cleat hitch:

• One full wrap
• Figure-eight
• Locking half hitch

Never tie permanent knots around a cleat.

Line tension

Allow enough slack for:

• Tides
• Boat wakes
• Wind

Southwest Florida tides can easily move the boat several feet vertically.

Pick the correct bottom

Best holding:

• Sand
• Firm mud

Poor holding:

• Grass
• Rock
• Hard shell

Set the anchor

1. Lower—don’t throw—the anchor
2. Drift backward
3. Reverse gently

Take bearings or watch your GPS to confirm you’re not dragging. Pay attention to tides after you set anchor.

Sandbar Etiquette

Popular areas:

• Cayo Costa
• Picnic Island
• North Captiva
• Useppa Island

Good etiquette:

• Idle in
• Keep wakes small
• Leave room between boats
• Play music at reasonable levels
• Respect swimmers and paddlecraft

TIDES, SHALLOW AREAS, AND GROUNDING

Tides affect:

• Boat ramps
• Sandbars
• Passes
• Back bays

Many locations that are 4–5 feet deep at high tide become nearly dry at low tide.

Before entering shallow areas, always check via the Tides mobile application:

• Tide stage
• Tide direction

Grounding

If you touch bottom:

• Stop immediately
• Raise the engine if appropriate
• Check the tide
• Back off gently if possible

Do not continue powering through a sandbar, as this can damage the propeller and boat.

If you touch bottom:

• Stop immediately
• Raise the engine if appropriate
• Check the tide
• Back off gently if possible

Do not continue powering through a sandbar, as this can damage the propeller and boat. Call the marina ship store at (239) 356-8860 if you’re stuck on the ground and need advice or help.

First and foremost, always obey any and all posted signage

Wake Etiquette

In narrow channels:

• Stay to the right
• Slow when passing
• Minimize your wake

Large wakes can damage:

• Seawalls
• Docks
• Smaller boats

The operator is responsible for their wake, even outside posted no-wake zones.

Boat Wakes

• Idle past fishing boats
• Idle near paddleboards and kayaks
• Slow near marinas
• Slow in canals

Reducing wake is courteous and often required in posted zones.

Wildlife Awareness

Southwest Florida is home to:

• Manatees
• Dolphins
• Sea turtles
• Birds

Always:

• Obey posted manatee speed zones
• Stay in deeper channels when possible
• Watch for manatee “footprints” (smooth circular patches on the surface)
• Never feed or harass wildlife
•  

The boundaries for rental boats include north through the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway) to Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, North Captiva Island, Cayo Costa Island, and Cabbage Key. Rental boats are not allowed east through the Caloosahatchee River, north to Matlacha, in the Gulf of Mexico, or south to Fort Myers Beach / Lovers Key.

All powerboat operators must be at least 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license. If the operator was born in 1988 or after, they will additionally need a valid Florida boater’s license.

The essentials are water and sunscreen! You’ll probably also want to pack beach towels, a cooler with snacks and beverages, sunglasses, and bug spray. If you forget any of the essentials, you can pick them up at our Ship Store.

Alcohol is allowed on the boat for passengers to enjoy – it is prohibited for the operator to be under the influence while boating.

Anyone fishing from a boat, pier, or beach is required to have a valid Florida fishing license. You can purchase a fishing license at https://gooutdoorsflorida.comor by calling 1-888-347-4356.

We take pride in our fleet and perform regular maintenance to ensure our boats are in top condition for our customers to have the best possible experience on the water. However, if the boat breaks down, please contact us at (239) 356-8860 as soon as possible to report the problem and your location. We will make arrangements to have another boat, if available, delivered to you or have the vessel towed back to the marina.

Adults are not required to wear personal flotation devices (PFDs). Children 12 years and younger are required to wear PFDs while the boat is underway. By law, there must be one (1) PFD for every person and one (1) throw cushion per vessel.

The price of the boat rental does not include tax or fuel. Every boat leaves the marina with a full gas tank and will be topped off upon return to account for the fuel used.

We keep a close eye on the radar and do not take any chances when it comes to bad weather. However, storms can come up unexpectedly. If you see bad weather heading your way, head back to port immediately. If the storm is between you and land, either wait it out or head in the opposite direction of the storm. Lastly, if you do get stuck in a storm, anchor boat, stay low to the floor, and wait for the weather to pass.

Full-day rentals are from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. All rentals must return to the Marina by 3:30 PM or the renter will incur a $75.00 late fee for each thirty (30) minute interval beyond 3:30 PM.

Half-day rentals are in six-hour increments starting at 7:30 AM. The last departure time for a rental is 11:30 AM. All rentals must be returned to the Marina by the reservation’s end time, or the renter will incur a $75.00 late fee for each thirty (30) minute interval beyond the reservation’s conclusion.