Charter the boat — not the crew.
A bareboat charter lets you take the helm of a vessel without a pre-assigned crew. Here's everything you need to know before booking through FARBO.
What is it?
The boat is yours. The helm is yours.
In a bareboat charter, you rent the boat itself — not a crewed experience. You're legally the charterer and responsible for the vessel during the trip. You can optionally hire a captain or mate at a fixed, platform-published rate — a separate agreement you make directly with them, independent of the boat rental.
Florida law
FWC requirements
Florida requires anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who will operate the vessel to hold a valid FWC Boating Safety Education ID. The course is online, takes approximately 4 hours, and costs around $30. FARBO requires this card to be uploaded before you can place a bid.
Take the FWC coursePricing
Transparent crew rates — set by FARBO.
To ensure fairness and consistency, FARBO publishes standard crew rates platform-wide. Owners cannot set their own crew prices, and hiring a captain or mate is always a separate agreement between you and the crew member — never bundled with the boat.
USCG-licensed captain. Required for renters without boating experience.
Certified crew member. Optional — assists with navigation and onboard operations.
Crew fees are calculated on trip duration and shown transparently at booking, but the hiring agreement is independent — made directly between you and the captain or mate. FARBO charges 0% commission on crew fees.
Not sure? We can help.
Free bareboat charter consultancy.
Our team includes bareboat charter experts who can guide you through Florida regulations, insurance requirements, and the FARBO booking process. Whether you're a first-time charterer or an experienced sailor, we'll answer your questions.
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