St. Petersburg Yacht Charters and Sales’ maintains a list of captains who have years of experience sailing on the waters of Florida’s West Coast.  You may choose from either of our three-crewed charter programs. 

CAPTAINED CHARTER
For those who just want to relax and delegate the work of sailing the boat to a professional, a crewed charter is just the ticket.  The cost for the captain is $150 per eight-hour day, $170 for overnight plus the cost of food.  We can suggest a caterer as well.

CHECK-OUT SAIL CHARTER
For those who need to sharpen their skills or get some help from a professional, try our checkout sail. Sometimes lake sailors need help with the docking and tie-up procedures used when dealing with the tides in our area. Others have not handled as large a boat and need brief instruction on the handling of the vessel. Whatever you need, we can help! We may require a check out sail if we feel your qualifications warrant it. The cost is $75 for a minimum of four hours and $18.75 for each additional hour. The maximum fee is $150 for an eight-hour day.

INSTRUCTIONAL CHARTER
If you want to learn more about navigation, boat handling, or would like some lessons from a professional, take advantage of our instructed charter. Our captains can provide you with some intensive training during your charter. The instruction will cover everything needed to prepare you for a bareboat charter, depending on the time you have to devote to the learning process. At the conclusion of your charter, we will write a letter for you suggesting your qualifications. The cost is $150 per eight-hour day, $170 for overnight plus the cost of food.

BAREBOAT CHARTER
We reserve the right to require instruction and/or a check-out sail for all our bareboat rentals. Remember our goal is for you have a safe and enjoyable cruise.

In the event you or SPYC&S choose any of the above options, you may be asked to pay the funds in cash to the crewmembers or the instructor. These people are your employees, under your direction and control. We merely suggest them to you.

CHARTER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Thank you for your interest in our Charter Management Program. The following is a thumbnail sketch of what we are all about….

St. Petersburg Yacht Charters & Sales was started in 1973 and is one of the oldest fleets in the United States. We manage boats for charter and maintain private boats in our marina. The requirements for a vessel entering our fleet vary somewhat as we try to remain flexible. We don't require that you buy a new boat from us. Your boat can be a trawler, mono hull sailboat, or a catamaran. It can be new or used. Charterers of course like newer boats, so we will have some age limitations on the boat you own or are looking to purchase. Because of our flexibility, the only way to present charter information is a discussion with Page Obenshain.

But on to what we can offer you. There are some distinct advantages to placing your boat into our charter fleet:

We are dealers for Catalina Yachts & can deal with most any manufacturer.

We have experienced yacht brokers to locate that perfect boat for you.
You don’t have to pay sales tax on the purchase or the maintenance of your boat.
You can deduct your dockage, maintenance payments and insurance on the boat from your taxes.
You may depreciate your investment over five years.
You can earn enough charter income to pay for your dockage, maintenance, insurance and more...
When you use your boat it will be clean and everything will be in working order.
We will accept boats you already own.

INFORMATION
Thank you for your inquiry about chartering one of our yachts. We have been in the charter business since 1973, and operate one of the longest established fleets in the Southeastern United States. Our location is easily reached by scheduled flights to Tampa International Airport and/or interstate highway. The cruising sailor may choose between the protected and scenic Intercoastal Waterway or the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way there are many fine marinas and restaurants to suit every taste or an abundance of safe and quiet anchorages, whichever you desire.

A Physical Damage Waiver is mandatory for all charters, and provides coverage which reduces your risk and responsibility from the deductible to a maximum of $200.00. The cost of the waiver is $20.00 per charter day. The boat is to be returned in substantially the same condition as received, with no equipment damaged or missing. A clean-up fee will be charged if the yacht is returned excessively dirty.

To secure your reservation, a deposit of 50% of the charter fee is required. This can be made with a personal check as well as a credit card. Upon receipt of the reservation deposit, you will receive a charter agreement form, along with a sailing resume, to complete and return for approval. Payment of the balance of the charter fee including 7% Florida Sales Tax plus the Physical Damage Waiver is required 30 days prior to the charter start date. This can also be remitted by a personal check or credit card.

Cancellation Policy: If it is necessary to cancel, please call us as soon as possible. If you cancel six weeks before your reserved date, we will refund your deposit less a fee of $100.00. If you cancel within six weeks, we will refund your deposit less $100.00 only if we are able to re-book the yacht.

The total number of passengers is limited to the number of berths on the yacht. If the charter is taken with a captain, then the charter is limited to the number of berths less one for the captain.

Sorry, we are not able to allow any pets on board. To accommodate our boat owners and charter guests, we require no smoking below decks.

You may choose from either noon to noon or 9:00am first day to 5pm last day charter start times. We offer boarding the afternoon before your charter begins on the 9am start time for an extra fee of $100. On the noon to noon charters, the night before boarding will be $175.00. Boarding may begin at 2:00pm with arrival at our docks no later than 4:00pm. You will stay overnight at our docks and may depart the next morning. However, whatever time you plan to arrive, please let us know so that we can best serve you.

There will be a three-day minimum on all holidays. A 14-day paid charter is required for a keys or Dry Tortugas cruise plus extensive experience. You must receive clearance for this off-shore trip.

All of our Yachts come equipped with dinghies & outboard motors at no extra charge.

Please note our OFF SEASON DISCOUNTS which are in effect with charters beginning after May 1st and ending before December 15th. If you are interested in more than two weeks, we can offer you even greater savings.

HELPFUL HINTS
BOARDING - In order for us to schedule our personnel to give you an immediate and proper check in, we must know in advance what time you will arrive at our docks. This is very important on the weekends, as that is our busiest time. You are welcome to stay in our marina slips at no charge. Electricity, water and clean bathrooms are available. Please note that our offices and Ship’s Store are not at the same dock as our fleet of charter vessels (commercial slips). If you are expecting company to arrive after hours, they need to know to come to the commercial slips, not the Ship’s Store.

RADIO USAGE - Please try to keep radio usage to a minimum. If you have a cellular phone, it would be a good idea to bring it. We have charging outlets installed in our boats.

CLEAN-UP - Although we clean the boat after your charter, we request that you have everything in its place, decks rinsed, instrument & sail covers on, all ports and hatches closed tight, and all the dirty laundry gathered in a pillowcase. There is NO smoking below decks, please limit your smoking to above decks.

REPORTING DAMAGE - We ask that you report anything needing attention. It may be a maintenance item such as a burned out light bulb or something you lost or broke. If it is your responsibility to pay for the repair and if you report the item, we will bill you at a discounted rate. However, if the damage was not reported, you will be billed at retail prices.

TOWING - We suggest you have towing insurance. We recommend Boat US Unlimited Insurance, which the yearly cost is reasonable. To sign up call:1.800.888.4869.

FUEL - You are responsible for refilling the boat upon your return. The Ship’s Store fuel dock is open from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM each day. The fuel must be paid for at that time.

HOLDING TANKS - You will be instructed upon boarding as to the usage of the tank system(s) and toilet(s). You will be responsible for the cost of the pump out upon your return. The pump out station is located in the Municipal Marina. If there are any clogged heads on your return, the cost for clearing the clog will be a minimum of $150 or $75 an hour, whichever is greatest.

CHECK IN - Your charter will end at noon or 5:00PM, whichever you have chosen. You will need to be off the boat at that time. If you are running late for any reason, please call us.

PROVISIONING - We have a Publix, CVS, and a liquor store within 7 blocks.

As Always We Will Do Our Utmost To Ensure
That Your Charter Is Enjoyable