How Boat Rentals Work on BoatWakr
Finding a boat, booking with or without a captain, payment, deposits, cancellation policies and what happens on the day of your trip.
Updated 2026-10-14
Find a boat
Search by place and date. Every listing shows the full price, the captain options and the cancellation policy up front, so you can compare boats before you commit.
Book instantly or send a request
Instant Book boats confirm right away. For the rest, the owner has 72 hours to accept your request, and your card is only charged if they do.
With a captain or on your own
Many boats can be booked with a licensed captain, so nobody in your group has to drive. Others can be taken out self-captained (bareboat), and some offer both — the listing tells you which.
Self-captained trips require identity verification, and depending on the state you may need proof of boating education before you can take the helm.
Paying, deposits and damage
You pay through BoatWakr, and the total — including the service fee — is shown before you confirm. Many boats also place a refundable hold on your card for the trip, and some offer a damage waiver instead of the hold.
Cancellation policies
Each owner picks one of these policies; it is shown on the listing before you book.
- Flexible: Renters get a full refund if they cancel at least 24 hours before the trip. Inside 24 hours, no refund.
- Moderate: Full refund when cancelled 5+ days out, 50% refund up to 48 hours before the trip, then no refund.
- Strict: Full refund when cancelled 30+ days out, 50% refund up to 14 days before the trip, then no refund.
- No refunds: Once a booking is paid, cancellations are not refunded.
On the day
The exact dock location is shared once your booking is confirmed. You can message the owner any time before the trip.