Fort Lauderdale is extremely well set up for yachting visitors, with those seeking a cheap boat rental having no shortage of options at their disposal.
Yachts moored in Fort Lauderdale (Photo: Rob Olivera via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
With its vast systems of canals, Fort Lauderdale is often referred to as the “Venice of America”. Yet unlike the narrow network of waterways in northern Italy, the city is also a boating mecca, attracting large numbers of yachting enthusiasts every year. The buzzing sights and sounds of South Beach are a day’s cruising away, and the natural beauty of the Florida Keys and Key West are just a little further afield. We’ve picked out three companies that we’d recommend for yacht rental deals in the region.
Click & Boat
With tens of thousands of vessels available for rental worldwide, including party boat, speed boat and pontoon boat options, Click & Boat are a major player in the boat rental sector. Owners can create a free listing for their boat and renters are then invited to contact them directly to discuss further. While bareboat rentals are the most affordable option, some boats also come with captain onboard if you’re willing to pay the extra cost. In Fort Lauderdale there are over 100 boat rentals available, with prices starting at around $130 per hour depending on dates, not including fees (which can be rather high). Many boat owners also provide water sports equipment for your rental, too.
Boatsetter
Whether it’s a quick trip of just a couple of hours or an extended island-hopping adventure of a week or more, Boatsetter delivers magical on-the-water experiences for every budget and need. Their online marketplace connects boat owners with renters, and with more than 50,000 boats in over 700 locations across the globe, there’s certain to be a suitable vessel available for you. Renters can select a vessel that suit their criteria, with communication between owners and renters made simple and secure. Pick a boat with a licensed captain onboard, or take the helm yourself if you’re confident enough. When we searched for rentals in Fort Lauderdale, we found over 300 boats for rent by the hour, with pricing starting at around $30 per hour, plus fees.
Best Boat Club & Rentals
Renting powerboats to members and non-members alike, over the past two decades Best Boat Club and Rentals has flourished into one of the largest and longest running boat clubs in the region. In 2011, they became the only authorised US Powerboating training centre in the Fort Lauderdale area, offering hands-on powerboat training to the general public. Today, the company is a diverse recreational rental and training centre operating out of some of Fort Lauderdale’s most prestigious marinas. A world away from a conventional booking service, they pride themselves on their personal one-to-one attention, meaning when you call them, you’ll be speaking to the same people that you’ll be renting the boat from. Their vessels require at least three years’ boating experience to rent.