Renting a boat in SW Florida

[Andy in NY]

My wife and I are going on vacation to Fort Myers Beach in April, and were interested in renting a boat while we are there. Any ideas what we should expect to pay for a day? It will be during spring break season and we dont want to go offshore, just something to putt around along the coast and some inner waterways. Maybe something like a 17-19ft open bow or cc. Any advice/things to watch for when renting a boat?

 

[hodgejr]

Re: Renting a boat in SW Florida

I wish I could tell you WHERE to rent one from but I have no idea, but I think a friend who rented one (long time ago) got a bowrider for $100/day.

I can, however, tell you where to go. The place for me is the Sanibel/ Captiva area, absolutely fantastic in regards to wildlife and the waters are very calm, even on windy days.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=...53,-82.071991&spn=0.357347,0.620041&z=11&om=1

Depending where you rent from, you can start on the bottom tip of the island (where the bridge is) and make your way north up the bay between Captiva and Pine Island. The pathway is well indicated down the center of the bay so you don't get grounded. And stay in the middle of the bay otherwise you WILL hit ground - I did! Look for dolphins, manatees, turtles, etc.

Now, to top it off, have lunch at this restaurant (don't remember the name, I'm sure some forumite will fill you in) that's located in Safety Harbour, on Barrier Island. Some of the best home-cooking seafood I've had, under a tiki-hut style setting. The place has dollar bills plastered on the the walls. And DO NOT go to the restaurant at Cabbage Key (dollar bills on the wall too) that place is overrated, service sucked and the food did too.

I don't know what it's like this time of year, all my trips to the area were very warm weather. At any rate you'll enjoy it, at least I do, as you can tell.

 

[hodgejr]

Re: Renting a boat in SW Florida

I mentioned this in my previous post but I must emphasize, you have to stay between the pilings - or whatever they call the posts that indicate the depths safe for boating. You veer off into unmarked waters there and you'll be eating sand real quick.

Take a look at this pic below, see where the boat is and look to the left. Thus, if you want to visit a harbor or island you better make sure to stay between the pilings or go reaaaal carefully. At least, it's all sand and no rock or coral that will bust your prop.


http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=...82.196188&spn=0.022332,0.038753&t=h&z=15&om=1

Also, study your maps real well, when you get into the island cluster that surrounds Cayo Costa it's easy to get lost, they all sort of look alike. Common sense will help you out of course.

One last thing, mosquitoes the size of bats.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Renting a boat in SW Florida

http://www.google.com/search?q=cape...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

 

[mspring]

Re: Renting a boat in SW Florida

I called one place on Fort Myers Beach for you ,I live about a hour from there.

Fish Tale Marina & Power Boat Rental
7225 Estero Blvd Ft. Myers Bch.
239-463-3600

24 foot Robalo - $595.00 all day
22 foot 495.00 all day
19 foot 295.00 all day

Doesnt include insurance or gas

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Renting a boat in SW Florida

that's in line with rentals in the FL Keys. that's why we tow atleast one boat to the keys, every August.

 

[hodgejr]

Re: Renting a boat in SW Florida

24 foot Robalo - $595.00 all day
22 foot 495.00 all day
19 foot 295.00 all day

Doesnt include insurance or gas

Da-yum!!!! I'm in the wrong business!

 

[m&m252]

Re: Renting a boat in SW Florida

be prepared $$$$ if you are coming to florida during spring break peeeaaakkk season down here lots of people and lots of business trying make big $$$$ before the big hurricane scare starts in june and everybody stops coming down....

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Renting a boat in SW Florida

You should really have a good time. Not that familiar with FT. MYERS BEACH, however do recommend you to rent a boat from JENSENS MARINA on the sound side of CAPTIVA. 18 ft. ctr consols with 90 hp. suzukis. Call for price, what ever it is it will be worth it. Take it for the whole day as there will be lots to do. If you venture into the gulf thru RED FISH pass or CAPTIVA pass, stay out in the channels for quite a ways as sand bars are building off shore.
Place recommended at safety habor is BARNICAL PHILS and is on NORTH CAPTIVA. People seem to enjoy it and keep going back. As for the place on CABBAGE KEY ( supposed JIMMY BUFFETT fame, cheeseburger in paradise,) I to recommend you avoid it, lots of hype and disappointment.
Recommend you bring along an old pair of sneekers with the toes cut out to let the water drain as you push the boat off the sand bars. Jet skis and para sailing are available out of SOUTH SEAS PLANTATION at the tip of CAPTIVA. Wear sandles as you walk to the beach thru the sea oats as there are a lot of sand spurs. JUST rambeling now!! DO NOT give the manatees any beer!! This makes them to friendly and they insist that you swim with them and scratch there tummies and back. Thats illegal. BTW, they dont have teeth.
Interesting side trip would be FOSTERS BAY just north of red fish pass if you are not offended by EN NATURAL, look for a guy with as straw hat with feathers and nothing else but a damn good tan. If you would be offended there are lots of other beaches to go to. Try what is called CHARLIES CUT just north of red fish pass ( hurricane damage ). Back on shore, have dinner at the BUBBEL ROOM or the GREEN FLASH or TWEEN WATERS INN all on captiva. Stay on the island for the night and rent an inexpensive bungalo at THE CASTAYS at BLIND PASS, also recommend THE LAZY FLAMINGO also at BLIND PASS. Not to many tourist, a locals hangout out. Then go back in the morning and rent a boat again and hit the places you missed. And one more thing, DONT GO WHERE THE BIRDS ARE STANDING ! regards fred

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Renting a boat in SW Florida

19 ft. boat is more than adequate for your needs unless you have a lot of people. If you were going to be closer you could use one of mine. Like I recommended, call JENSENS, CAPTIVA is not really a hot spring break location, you have to make your own good time, not to difficult. FRED

 

[hodgejr]

Re: Renting a boat in SW Florida

Ah yes Barnacle Phil's, one of best fried grouper I've ever had.

http://www.bphils.com

As a bonus you can walk over next door to the sand runway, you may catch a skilled pilot landing their cessna on the challenging "airport".

I guess you can tell from our writeups, the area has its fans. As far as spring break, that's news to me, never heard of it being a hangout. I always thought of it as a wealthy snowbird retreat.

One last thing, you should buy a boating map of the area, you can buy them at westmarine or similar, I would not tread thru the area without one. Enjoy!

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Renting a boat in SW Florida

http://www.google.com/search?q=cape...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

I think Cape Coral is a bit far, as we won't have a car. But, I appriciate the effort! I am not very handy when it comes to searching the internet, so I used your search and changed the area to fort myers beach and found a few places.

I called one place on Fort Myers Beach for you ,I live about a hour from there.

Fish Tale Marina & Power Boat Rental
7225 Estero Blvd Ft. Myers Bch.
239-463-3600

24 foot Robalo - $595.00 all day
22 foot 495.00 all day
19 foot 295.00 all day

Doesnt include insurance or gas

On their website they show a 17' Grady White for $215 a day. Did you ask how much the insurance was?

 

[vess]

Re: Renting a boat in SW Florida

Check with your insurance company first- perhaps you may be covered when renting a boat, much like your car insurance? I have never looked into it, but it can't hurt to ask before you go there. I am sure the insurance isn't cheap to buy where you are renting, but I wouldn't go without it, that's for sure.