Lower Keys Boat Rentals - The Hull Truth

SurfaceFrenzy · 02-03-2009, 01:01 PM

Hey guys I'm going to need a CC for 3-5 days come June. I'll be on Sugarloaf Key, most likely, for a week of fishing.

I'm thinking a 20' - 22' center. Most of my fishing will be gulf/inshore but I'd like to get out a little bit once or twice, weather permitting. My only real requirement is a GPS unit, as I'd be a lot more comfortable having one of those on board in unfamiliar water.

Any recommendations for a good, reliable boat renter down there in the area?

I realize I'm not going to get a Contender. I just need something seaworthy to get some tarpon, cuda, jacks and the like for a few days. The property I'm renting will most likely have a dock, so I want to keep the boat there the entire time I have it.

Thanks in advance.

Door#3 · 02-04-2009, 07:53 AM

I've used three boat rental places over the past few years. I like Vacation Boat Rentals (on Key Colony Beach) the best.

CMP · 02-04-2009, 09:38 AM

STAY AWAY from the losers on Summerland. I think they go by the name Keys Boat rentals. JUNK JUNK JUNK...

CMP

ljk · 02-04-2009, 04:01 PM

CMP, I'm glad you said that. That oufit advertises heavily on the FLorida Keys and Key West websites. Since I don't rent boats, I never knew whether to recommend them or not.

Thanks for the great info. I know of 3 places in Marathon that are good: Capt Pips, the place Door #3 mentioned in Key Colony, and Big Time Tackle and Boat Rentals.

ESSRTEE8 · 02-04-2009, 07:11 PM

I'm renting from Bob at Vacation Boat Rentals in March. He comes recommended from a guy who does rentals every 3 months down that way. Good t hings to say about him and his wife. He is even coming up to Key Largo to pickup the boat at the end of the rental to save me the trip and the fuel, free!

Door#3 · 02-04-2009, 08:43 PM

We stayed at Capt Pips a few years back in February. We enjoyed our stay. At the time their fleet was getting pretty old and ratty. In fact our 21ft boat with an OX66 seized up on us a few miles out on the Gulf side. They towed us in and had us out fishing in another boat in no time. I hear they've added some newer Cape Horns since then. I love the Cape Horns. We've rented a 21 from Pips and a 28 from Vacation, both tanks...

If you want to be sure to have a reliable GPS bring your own hand held. In rental boats sometimes they work and sometimes they do not. When I rent I raid my ditch bag for the hand held GPS and VHF. Also program the rental company number(s) into your cell phone.

Have a great time...

CudjoeDon · 02-13-2009, 03:13 PM

I see a lot of Dolphin Marina rental boats [Little Torch Key] when I'm out in mine, they look decent and would be reasonably close if you are staying on Upper Sugarloaf [KOA, etc., near Cudjoe Key]. http://www.dolphinmarina.net/florida_keys_marina.html

You may want to call Sugarloaf Lodge if you are staying on Lower Sugarloaf since they would be close: http://www.sugarloaflodge.net/

CudjoeDon