Frequently Asked Questions

~ What changes have you made to your refund policy due to COVID-19?

The safety of our community is important to us. Any cancellations due to COVID will be fully refunded with no penalty or fee, only if a positive PCR test (with matching personal identification) dating no more than 7 days prior to departure is provided. PCR tests must be recent, clear, legible, and match the name of the Customer/Charterer/Renter on the reservation. Failure to provide this information prior to departure may be considered a "no-call, no-show"; in which case your deposit will be refunded only and the full remaining balance will be used to pay the boat owner and Captain as agreed herein. In some instances, we may issue a Charter Voucher if travel is inhibited due to COVID-19. Charter Vouchers are a charter credit, and no cash will be refunded to your payment method. We report to federal law enforcement (FBI) any suspicion of counterfeit, forgery, or fraudulent test results. We are not permitted by law to require any of the freelance Captains to be vaccinated or passengers to be vaccinated. Charter at your own risk.

~ What is Anchor?

Anchor helps boat owners start their new, or improve their existing charter business. By connecting Boat Owners, Captains, and Renters in new and innovative ways, Anchor is quickly emerging as the leader in the boat and yacht charter industry.

Whether you already own a boat, are renting a boat, or need a boat, Anchor can ensure that you have access to a list of USCG Licensed Captains and Crew members. Selecting a random person to drive you and your family and friends can be dangerous or result in poor service. Let Anchor’s fully vetted Captains take the helm on your next on-the-water experience.

Anchor offers the following main services:

- Boat & Yacht Rentals and Bareboat Charters

- Captains-for-Hire

- Crew-for-Hire

By using Anchor’s website and service, you are agreeing to our Terms of Service as well as the all federally regulated bareboat charter laws. Anchor is not responsible for any violation of these laws, unless gross negligence can be proven. If you at any point do not understand the bareboat charter laws or feel as though a member of our team is putting you at any kind of risk, please contact leadership@anchorrides.com and we will reach out to you directly to help.

~ What is a “Charter”?

The term “Charter” is referred to on the Anchor website as any combination of Boat & Captain. Most customers come to Anchor to book a safe and authentic charter experience on a privately owned boat with local Captains who know the local waterways. Renters or Charterers have the ability to select a Captain of their choice when booking a boat or yacht. A list of Captains by market can be found by clicking “Hire local Captains” on our home page.

If you are looking to rent a boat and hire a Captain all in one place, you have come to the right place! Go back to our homepage to find your dream boat or yacht.

~ How do I find a boat rental or yacht rental near me?

Finding an amazing boat rental or yacht rental near you is easy. Simple go to our homepage and use the search tool to select your date and find a location near you.

If you are having trouble with the website, or simply finding a boat or yacht that you love, please feel free to call our team at (813) 906-6064 (ext 1) and a live US-based representative will help you plan your upcoming boat day.

~ How many passengers are allowed on a Charter?

This can get a bit tricky. Each boat has a posted “Passenger Capacity” on the listing. In general, the magic numbers are 12 passengers + Charterer (you) + Captain & Crew... OR the regulated capacity of the vessel, whichever is less. It is the client’s responsibility to request the legal capacity of the vessel if they are unsure how many passengers are allowed. Each vessel on the website has a posted capacity that cannot be exceeded under any circumstances other than a medical or safety emergency (ex: rescuing a sinking vessel).

Some vessels have what is called a COI (or Certificate of Inspection) which allow various larger passenger capacities. The number can range anywhere from 1-1000+ passengers…

In some cases, the boat may be limited to 6+ Captain & Crew. In either case, the Captain has the final authority.

As a general rule, it is best to ask a Charter Concierge or read the charter listing of the vessel you are renting. All additional guests that exceed the posted capacity will be turned away.

~ Can we bring more people than planned?

In many cases, YES. In some cases, NO. Please contact your Charter Concierge when adding additional passengers as he/she is the final authority. We do not, under any circumstance, approve additional passenger counts which exceed the federally regulated maximum number of passengers. To do so can result in your charter being ended by the Captain and no refund will be issued.

Typically it is allowed as long as your group does not exceed the regulated capacity of the vessel as dictated by the Captain. If it is legal, and the boat owner allows it, we can accommodate.

~ Where will we meet the boat?

Every boat is unique and they all have different pickup locations. The boat will pick you up from it’s homeport marina, your private dock, or a convenient public dock nearby. Anchor tries to find a safe and convenient meeting spot that works for both parties. Often, it is best to speak directly with your dedicated Charter Concierge to find the best place to load up. Even more, we recommend selecting a boat or yacht that is located close by to avoid delivery fees.

Because it is often against marina policy, we do not allow customers to meet at some private marinas.

It is the responsibility of the renter to request the pickup location. Refunds will not be given due to the charterer (renter) not agreeing with the pickup location. If you do not like the pickup location, we encourage you to rent a different vessel.

The renter may request delivery of the yacht to a specific location. Pickup locations must be deep enough and within an acceptable range. The renter is responsible for all extra time including the fuel, Captain & Crew services charge, hourly boat rental cost, and gratuity.

By requesting a delivery, you are agreeing to pay all additional charges and authorize Anchor to automatically bill the credit card on file.

~ Can the Captain and/or Skipper end the Charter early?

A Captain, according to federal law, is in charge of the safety of his/her passengers at all times. If, for any reason, the Captain feels the trip needs to end, he/she have the right to do is without warning. Please remember the Anchor code which is “safety first… fun second”. You also agree to this in our Terms of Service.

If the Captain does end the charter early for cause, such as guests using illegal drugs or becoming a safety risk to themselves or others, no refund will given and you will forfeit your full deposit. It is important to abide by the Captain’s rules at all times for safety reasons.

~ What is Anchor’s cancellation policy?

Anchor's cancellation policy applies to ALL vessels on the platform. There are no refunds, cancellations, or otherwise for charters that depart within 72 hours of a charter request OR of a deposit paid. If your charter departs within 72 hours of paying your deposit, ALL SALES ARE FINAL. We do offer a reschedule "charter voucher" if there is bad weather or mechanical failure of the vessel.

If your departure date is more than 72 hours from the time your deposit is paid, deposits can be refunded within 24 hours. Any cancellations made after 24 hours of paying your deposit will not be refunded. You may use the deposit as credit for a future charter. Charter credits expire after 365 days (or 1 year). We call these “Charter Vouchers”

The deposit is required to place and hold your reservation which includes a boat and a Captain (depending on who you selected and which service you are using). In the case of inclement weather, Anchor is happy to reschedule your purchase based on our refund policy (see below).

~ What is Anchor’s refund policy?

Anchor's refund policy applies to ALL vessels on the platform. There are no refunds, cancellations, or otherwise for charters that depart within 72 hours of a charter request AND/OR of a deposit paid. If your charter departs within 72 hours of paying your deposit, ALL SALES ARE FINAL. We will, however, offer a reschedule option in the form of a "Charter Voucher" if there is bad weather or mechanical failure of the vessel.

If your departure date is more than 72 hours from the time your deposit is paid, deposits are non-refundable after 24 hours of paying your deposit. Final payments ("remaining balance") are automatically billed to the credit card on file at least 5 business days in advance of your departure date. Full payment PLUS your damage & fuel deposit must be successfully submitted and settled before boarding the vessel. A government-issued photo ID is required to board the vessel.

Final payments ("remaining balance") are non-refundable after they have been received unless there is dangerous weather, a mechanical failure of the vessel, or the Captain does not show up to his/her gig. The Captain, by law, has the only authority to call off a charter for weather or mechanical related reasons.

In case of inclement weather, you will receive a full credit that can be applied to your next charter. All credits expire 365 days (or 1 calendar year) from your original departure date. We cannot guarantee availability of the same vessel you originally booked.

In any case where a refund is owed, Anchor will either refund your credit card OR credit the exact dollar amount to a future experience on our platform. That credit will expire 365 days (or 1 calendar year) from the original departure date. We understand every situation is different and our internal team is available 24/7 to help answer any questions you might have.

By completing the checkout process, you are agreeing to Anchor’s Terms of Service and authorizing Anchor to bill your credit card for all payments unless otherwise notifying our team in writing. You also authorize Anchor to bill your credit card for any damage incurred by you or your guests to the boat. The charterer is not billed for any mechanical failures to the vessel unless that failure was directly caused by their action(s). By using our service, you agree to allow Anchor to bill the credit card on file for any additional charges or services associated with your charter. By using Anchor's service, you are agreeing to not chargeback any of the fees billed to your card unless fraud has been intentionally committed by either party.

~ What if the forecast looks bad?

We do not use the forecast to reschedule or cancel your charter. Forecasts are often inaccurate. We only determine the need to reschedule your charter due to the weather the day of your charter. Your Captain will make the call if he or she feels the weather poses a safety concern. Rest assured that your safety and enjoyment is our number 1 priority. If the weather is bad the day of, we can reschedule your charter to another date.

We do not refund your charter fees due to weather. We can reschedule your charter up to 365 days (or 1 year) from your original departure date. We will issue a charter voucher for that same vessel or one of equal or lesser value.

~ What if it rains during my charter?

Light showers occur almost every day in most of our destinations and are NOT a reason to cancel or end a trip early. Thunderstorms can also come and go quickly, but can pose more of a safety issue. The Captain has the tools and the knowledge to determine whether the storm will quickly pass OR if the charter should be terminated.

In any scenario where rain, wind, or storms cause the charter to end early, you will be required to pay for the hours used during the charter. From the contractual start time to the time you return to the dock. This includes all other line-item fees like Captain pay, fuel (if applicable), gratuity, cleaning fee, etc.

In most cases, we let the rain pass and use it as a free boat rinse. Game on!

We do not refund your charter fees due to weather. We can reschedule your charter up to 365 days (or 1 year) from your original departure date. We will issue a charter voucher for that same vessel or one of equal or lesser value.

~ What if it is raining before my charter?

Light showers occur almost every day in most of our destinations and are NOT a reason to cancel or end a trip early. Thunderstorms can also come and go quickly, but can pose more of a safety issue. The Captain has the tools and the knowledge to determine whether the storm will quickly pass OR if the charter should be terminated.

If it is raining in the hours leading up to your charter, the Captain will still prep the boat (in most cases). If we can see that the rain is not going to lift, you may reschedule your charter or push back your start time at no additional cost.

We do not refund your charter fees due to weather. We can reschedule your charter up to 365 days (or 1 year) from your original departure date. We will issue a charter voucher for that same vessel or one of equal or lesser value.

~ How do I reserve or confirm my booking?

It all starts with a 1-on-1 phone call with your dedicated Charter Concierge who will help you select the perfect boat or yacht for your unique occasion. After the boat or yacht has been selected, we’ll reserve your charter by sending a deposit request. You must pay your deposit in order to reserve your boat.

In the case where 2 clients have requested the same boat on the same day, the client (or renter/charterer) who pays their deposit first will keep the reservation. The client who pays second will have to be rerouted to another vessel or be issued a refund. In a situation where you pay your deposit second and cannot find another acceptable vessel, we will refund your deposit. Even if it is past the 24 hour deposit refund cutoff.

Once a deposit has been paid, your boat is reserved, we are happy to start planning any add-ons or “provisioning” services. Provisioning can be anything from food and beverages… all the way to a server, band, DJ, masseuse, Jet Skis, or more…. We pride ourselves on customizing your experience and making your Anchor Charter more than a boat rental.

Anchor facilitates Charters on behalf of the Boat Owner. We will send a series of digital notifications and emails to walk you through the steps of Deposit, Provisions/Add-ons, and Final Payment(s). At each step of the way, we share our Terms of Service which you agree to by clicking the deposit links and confirming your payment method.

~ What if we want to extend our time?

Sounds like you’re having a super time! If you are on a Charter, the Captain has the discretion to extend. If the Captain and/or Boat Owners’ schedule(s) allow for more time, you can extend and your credit card will automatically be charged the additional time based on the hourly rate you agreed to at booking. Taxes and fees apply.

By requesting a time extension, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions and allowing Anchor to automatically bill the credit card we have on file.

~ How do I contact my Captain?

When your Charter has been confirmed, deposit paid, Charter Agreement signed, and the remaining balance has been successfully billed, you will receive a text message confirmation and an email with your trip details. Be sure to verify these so we don’t pick you up in the wrong city.

It is Anchor’s strict policy that we do not allow communication with the Captain outside the Anchor platform until your non-refundable all payments and paperwork are completed prior to speaking to the Captain. Once you have paid the deposit, we allow unlimited communication to occur.

~ After I book, do I need to do anything else?

It is important that you connect with your Captain at least 72 hours in advance of your Anchor Experience. You will want to make sure all the details of the charter are correct including passenger count and pickup location.

After that, get your flip-flops, swimsuit, and sunnies ready… it’s time to have some fun!

Be sure to bring your government issued photo ID. Photo ID is required to board the vessel and the Captain will take a picture of the ID and upload to the Anchor app.

~ Is my Anchor Experience insured?

Yes. Anchor carries a $1mm General Liability coverage on every charter. Commercial insurance gives everyone peace of mind, and it is federally required by the United States Coast Guard. A small portion of your fees are allocated to the insurance of the Charter.

Additionally, each boat / yacht on our platform is required to have charter insurance. Coverages on the individual boat / yacht hull may vary.

~ What if the boat or yacht gets damaged?

Passengers, Renters, or Charterers are responsible for damage they purposely or accidentally cause to the interior and/or exterior of the boat or yacht in any circumstance. This includes, but not limited to, spills, stains, scratches, ripped / stained upholstery, damaged eisenglass, bimini tops, burns, etc.

In some cases, if the Captain’s operation of the vessel directly caused the damage (specifically to the exterior or mechanical workings of the vessel), Anchor, the Captain, or the Boat Owner will pay for the damages to the boat if caused by the Captains operation. We ask that customers are cautious and respectful to our fleet of privately owned boats… these are people’s favorite toys that they are sharing with you.

For your own records, it is recommended that you take several pictures of the vessel before and after your rental to avoid any unexpected charges.

SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE BOAT! You will be warned once… then removed from the charter without a refund. Please respect this rule and have proper boat etiquette.

RED WINE IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE BOAT! You will be warned once… then removed from the charter without a refund. Please respect this rule and have proper boat etiquette.

~ How do I find a Captain in my area?

To search for Captains by location, View Captains and start typing the city you are looking for Captains in.

~ What are Captains?

Captains, as displayed on the home page Home Page, are USCG Licensed Captains who are thoroughly screened and tested by Anchor and the United States Coast Guard. Captains are available for hire through the Anchor website to offer several services such as Private (hired) Skippers/Operators, Boat Training, Yacht Relocation and more. If you would like to find and hire a Licensed Captain in your area for any reason View Captains