How do I pay for the rental?

Once you have exchanged messages with an owner and a captain and confirmed time/location for your rental, it is the right time to book the trip! To book a boat, simply select the dates during which you wish to use the boat and follow the booking instructions to move to the next step of the transaction. From there you can review the reservation details, include your payment details and send a brief note to the boat owner. When submitting a booking request, the payment method may be authorized for a charge. If the booking request is declined we do not complete the charge and no authorization is released. However, if the boat owner and the captain accept the booking, the payment is processed and collected by Sailo. All payments are secure and can be completed by credit card or by contacting the Sailo Concierge at +1 646 441 0069.

How do I cancel a booking as a renter?

A renter can cancel pending bookings until either the boat owner or the captain has approved his/her request for booking. To cancel a pending booking, go to your Trips and click "Cancel" on the booking in question. Once you have clicked "Cancel", your payment and security deposit (including service fees) will be voided and released back to your card.

For a comprehensive reference to booking cancellations refer to the Sailo Cancellation Policy

Does the rental price include fuel?

Great question! This depends on the boat owners, since they will be the ones to decide whether fuel is included or not in the price listing. In general, the rental price will NOT include fuel. Unlike sailing boats, powerboats require substantial amount of fuel, which based on various factors, most important among which the cruising time of the vessel, may well end up ramping up the overall cost of the rental. These expenses significantly vary based on the vessel type, engine, cruising speed, amount of time spent cruising vs. being docked etc. We make this process easier by providing an estimated average fuel cost per hour for each boat. However, make sure you discuss your fuel options with the captain before the rental begins!

What is the Check-In/Check-Out procedure?

The Check-In/Check-Out Survey is required by our insurance provider and it represents an essential instrument in the cases requiring a claim to be filed.

Once you meet the captain or the owner, or in case you yourself are the person operating the boat, it is important to have a complete and thorough safety walkthrough of the vessel. The Check-In/Check-Out Survey is crucial for recording the condition of the boat because it also allows you to note any pre-existing damage to the vessel. It requires either the renter (in case of a bareboat) or a captain (in case of a captained boat that is not a charter) to do a complete and thorough check on navigation lights, distress signaling devices, Coast Guard approved personal floatation devices, throwable device, ventilation system, sound signals, running rigging, anchor, emergency tiller handle, thru-hull fittings and bilge pump. In addition, the photos of the following 5 parts of a vessel should be taken and uploaded both before the vessel leaves the dock and at the end of the trip: Starboard Bow, Port Bow, Starboard Stern, Port Stern and Dashboard with Instruments On (fuel gauge and hour meter).

After the rental has concluded, you and the captain must do another walkthrough to note that the vessel was returned in the same condition in which it went out. Vessel conditions that need to be verified include taking the trash off the boat, placing out the boat fenders, closing the boat hatches, placing on the sail covers (if applicable), connecting the shore power and leaving the batteries to charge, switching off batteries, rinsing off the boat and refilling the fuel tank.

How do I contact the boat owner?

For booking requests and inquiries, you can message owners and captains directly online! Once you have found the perfect boat & captain combination, simply connect with them on the listing page by including a short message. We also recommend including some information about your potential trip (number of people, trip locations, estimated pickup time, etc). Once completed, simply send your message, which will then be delivered to the boat owner and/or the captain. When either the boat owner or the captain respond, you will receive several notifications.

How do I share a booking with a friend?

To share a booking with a friend, go to the booking confirmation page and click “Email to a friend” link that will allow you to email a booking (with all relevant booking details) to one or more email addresses. You may also share boat profiles with relevant details including, but not limited to, headline, location, type, year, length, capacity, dates and prices, as well as captain profiles with relevant details including, but not limited to, name, location, experience, services offered, dates and prices.

How do I include a coupon?

If you have a valid Sailo coupon you can add the coupon on the booking checkout page. To include the coupon click on the "Coupon?" link located on the right side of the booking checkout page. From there type in the coupon code, click “ok” to apply the coupon and the price of your booking should be updated accordingly.

How long is a typical rental period?

Typical rental period is defined by the amount of time you would spend out on the water and it may vary from a quarter day rental (2 hours), to half-day rental (4 hours), to full-day rental (8 hours) and to Multi-Day Rentals (more than 24 hours). For multi-day rentals, please contact Sailo concierge at concierge@sailo.com or via phone at +1 (646) 780-9275.

As a renter, how do I know if my booking is confirmed?

Once boat owner and the captain confirm your booking request, you will receive an email notification confirming the approved booking. You will be able to see the booking in the My Trips section with all relevant trip details including renter, boat and captain information, booking request date, departure/return location, price breakdown and pickup instructions from the boat owner (if any).

As a renter, can I captain my own boat?

Yes. While captained rentals include a licensed captain that drives the boat for you so that you can fully enjoy the water even if you are new to boating, you may also captain (bareboat) a boat on your own provided that you have satisfactory level of boating experience in order to do so. Bareboat rentals do not include a captain or crew. Bareboat is great for experienced renters who are comfortable operating the boat on their own and can demonstrate a certain degree of boating experience vetted and verified by the expert Sailo staff.

Does Sailo charge a Security Deposit?

Yes, a security deposit is held on the renter’s credit card to cover any incidental damage or lost items. The hold is placed on the credit card at the time of booking and released 18 hours following the conclusion of the rental if no claims have been filed. In the case a claim is filed, the security deposit is held until the claim is resolved. This charge will appear on the renter's credit card statement as "Balanced".

A minimum default $500 security deposit will be held on the Renter’s credit card. A boat owner can also adjust the security deposit amount associated with his/her boat listing from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $99,999.