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Catamaran boat charter Q & A
Can you pick us up at our dock?
Pick-up from a private home or dock may be possible, depending on the location and dock conditions. Please note that the time required to bring the boat from our base at Bahia Mar to your dock, and back to the marina after the charter, counts toward your charter time.
For safety and maneuverability, the dock must provide at least 80 feet of linear dock space and be located on a canal that is at least 100 feet wide. All private pick-ups are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and should be arranged in advance with our team and the captain.
Is parking available?
Parking is available at Bahia Mar Marina, where most charters depart. The marina offers onsite paid parking within a short walking distance of the docks. Please note that parking is managed entirely by Hilton Hotels, and all rates and payment are handled directly by them; we do not manage, control, or receive any portion of the parking fees.
We recommend arriving 15–20 minutes before your scheduled departure time to allow time for parking and boarding.
If you are being picked up from a private dock or residence, parking availability will depend on the specific location and must be arranged directly with the property owner.
Can we smoke onboard?
Smoking Policy:
Smoking of any kind is strictly prohibited anywhere on the vessel. This includes cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, vapes, or any device that produces smoke or vapor.
No smoking or vaping is permitted inside the cabins or in any interior area of the boat under any circumstances.
What's a classic itinerary?
As this is a boat rental we don't have an itinerary, take this as a suggestion for a decision you make. This is your boat , your time.
You may leave from our dock in Fort Lauderdale and usually head south toward Port Everglades via the Intracoastal Waterway. Along the way, you'll pass under the 17th St. Bridge, which opens for us and offer incredible photo ops.
Cruising through Fort Lauderdale’s waterways, you'll enjoy amazing views of waterfront mansions, mega-yachts, and the city’s iconic skyline. After passing the 17th Street Bridge, you enter Port Everglades, where we often share the water with cruise ships and massive cargo vessels.
If the ocean is calm (waves under 2 feet), we’ll head out into the Atlantic, raise the sails, and enjoy open-sea freedom. We can even anchor off the beach for a swim, sunbathe on the trampolines, or enjoy lunch or an early dinner on the water—an unforgettable experience.
Prefer a more relaxed route? We can cruise Fort Lauderdale’s scenic waterways, pass the famous Millionaire’s Mile, stop for a swim at Sunrise Key, and just enjoy the ride.
Depending on the time of your trip, as we sail back to the dock, we’ll glide through Fort Lauderdale’s golden hour—that magical time when everything is bathed in warm light. It’s the perfect moment for photos, toasts, or simply soaking in the beauty of the day.
Can We Captain the boat?
We appreciate your experience, but for insurance and safety reasons we can only rent the boat to passengers who hire a captain from our vetted list. All of our captains are USCG licensed and have gone through our insurance approval process. Usually, that means starting with us as a mate before being cleared as a captain. It’s not a matter of skill—it’s about compliance and liability
Can We decorate the boat?
Unless it's an all-day charter. we can't do any decoration pre charter because the boat will be on another charter before yours, that said, as long as it removable and you remove it when you leave, once you’re on board, you’re free to decorate as you like, as long as it’s cleaned afterward (or a cleaning fee applies). We just can’t promise any pre-trip setup, as the boat will be coming straight off another charter, but once you are on your charter time the 1st mate can and will totally help set things up.
What are the options for food or catering
BYOB Option: If you decide to make it BYOB, you bring all your own drinks, mixers, and food. Please plan to bring enough ice for the entire trip. The crew will happily help you load everything onboard, store it in coolers, and keep things organized, but we don’t supply beverages or ice.
Bottom line: you bring it all, we’ll help you enjoy it.
Chef Option: If you’d rather not think about food at all, the Chef option is the way to go. We’ll put you directly in touch with one of our authorized onboard chefs so you can design the experience together. This can range from simple charcuterie, cheese and fruit trays with your choice of bubbles, all the way up to a full multi-course dinner for up to six guests.
We don’t markup the food or participate in the chef’s fee — you coordinate directly with the chef, choose the menu, and tailor the experience to your taste
How many people can be seated at tables?
All of our boats have plenty of seating space. Each boat has two tables measuring 60" x 30"—one indoors and one outdoors. Realistically: you can seat 4–6 people comfortably per table, so 8–12 guests total can be seated at tables at the same time. The rest of the group will still have ample lounge seating throughout the boat. The outdoor table is located on the aft deck, fully covered and perfect for dining, drinks, or gathering in the shade.
Can we board in Delray Beach?
Yes, but it involves additional cost and logistics. While Delray Beach is about 45 minutes by car from our marina, by boat through the Intracoastal it is approximately three hours each way, which adds significant transit time to the trip. If requested, Delray Beach pickup can be arranged at a discounted transit rate of $225 per hour for the empty boat, totaling approximately $1,350 additional for the round trip.
Can we board in Boca Raton?
Yes, but it involves additional cost and logistics. While Boca Raton is about 30 minutes by car from our marina, by boat through the Intracoastal it is approximately three hours each way, which adds significant transit time to the trip. If requested, Boca Raton pickup can be arranged at a discounted transit rate of $225 per hour for the empty boat, totaling approximately $1,350 additional for the round trip.
Can we go do some snorkel?
Yes — absolutely. Keep in mind this is a bareboat charter, which means you’re renting the boat and hiring a captain. You decide the itinerary .Having said that, you can absolutely ask your captain to take you to a snorkel spot. We don’t sell or package “excursions,” but your captain can navigate wherever you’d like within the agreed cruising area.
Great local snorkeling areas include the reefs off Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, which are part of the Florida Reef Tract and sit in about 8–20 feet of water — perfect for relaxed snorkeling. Other common spots captains use are the reef lines off Dania Beach and Hollywood, depending on sea conditions. These areas typically offer coral formations, tropical fish, sea fans, and occasionally rays or turtles.
If snorkeling is part of your plan, just tell your captain that’s the goal for the day and they’ll choose the best location based on weather and water clarity to give you the safest and best experience.
Can I book a private boat charter for a group in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. You can absolutely book a private boat charter for a group in Fort Lauderdale. Our charters operate under the U.S. bareboat charter model, which means the boat is rented exclusively to your group for the duration of the trip.
In a bareboat charter, the renter temporarily takes possession of the vessel and selects a USCG-licensed captain from a list of approved captains who are familiar with the boat and covered by our insurance. The captain is paid separately by the renter, which keeps the arrangement fully compliant with U.S. Coast Guard regulations.
Most charters are booked for 4 to 6 hours and can accommodate up to 13 guests, depending on the vessel. During your time on the water, the captain can take your group cruising through Fort Lauderdale’s famous canals, to swimming spots or sandbars, sailing offshore, or to waterfront restaurants. For the duration of the charter, the boat is yours to enjoy.
Can the boat pick us up at the dock at our house or hotel
Sometimes, yes—but it depends on several factors. Private home or dock pickups must be evaluated case by case based on the location, water depth, maneuvering space, and the size and condition of the dock. These requests must be arranged in advance so the captain can confirm that the location is safe and accessible for the vessel.
Guests should also keep in mind that the time required for the boat to travel from our marina to the pickup location and back counts as part of the charter time. Because of that, most groups choose to board directly at our boarding point, which allows them to enjoy the full charter time on the water.
If you would like to explore a private pickup, please provide the dock address when booking so we can review the location and confirm whether it is permitted and safe for the vessel.
What's the difference between the 45' and the 50 footer.
Cat5, the 50 footer is about 10% longer than Cat5-1. That extra size makes a difference on multi-day trips—more room, more comfort. On a 4-hour charter, though, you’ll barely notice it.
The 45 is a newer boat, no question. But personally, I prefer the 50. The bows are more generous, and it has a covered front seating area—actually the only boat in Fort Lauderdale with that setup.
Compared to a monohull, both feel much bigger. Between these two? It’s a subtle difference on a short trip, but the 50 has the edge in layout and usable space.