BOATING LAWS

Instructions & Frequently Asked Questions

At Twisted Anchor Boat Rentals, your safety is our number one priority.

We are available at all times throughout the whole rental process. From the initial contact, to returning to the dock, we only want the best experience for our clients. Book your rental today by calling us at 941-348-3292.

PONTOON BOAT SAFETY CHECKLIST

Boating Rental Operating Instructions

There are many shallow areas that can come up fast so always stay between the RED & GREEN channel markers to avoid running aground.
THE ONLY WAY IN AND OUT OF THE RAMP IS TO STAY IN BETWEEN THE CHANNEL MARKERS. THERE ARE 5 SETS TO GO OUT AND COME BACK IN. DO NOT GO OUTSIDE THE MARKERS AS YOU WILL BE IN SHALLOW WATERS AND CAN CAUSE INJURY AND DAMAGE.
To avoid damage to the prop, please stay clear of any buoys or trap markers, and if you get stuck, trim the motor up and shift the weight to the front of the boat.
There are designated NO WAKE ZONES and SLOW SPEED MINIMUM WAKE signs that are clearly marked so please obey at all times. This rule is taken very seriously and is cause to be stopped.
PLEASE STAY IN THE CHANNELS!! There are a lot of shallows that can cause damage to the boat, seagrass bed and unsafe boating conditions. USE THE GARMIN GPS AT ALL TIMES.
BEACHING THE BOAT IS PROHIBITED. It can cause serious damage.
WAKE NAVIGATION: When you are approached by a large boat in the channel, slow down as their wake could swamp the boat.
MARINE GARMIN GPS will be onboard to help navigate the channels, water depth and your location. A tutorial will be given prior to leaving the dock.
Beaching the boat is discouraged as it can easily cause damage.
Drop the anchor first when ANCHORING THE BOAT. To set the anchor, pull the rope taught. When bringing the anchor on board, please rinse it off and take care not to damage the boat.
ALWAYS put the ladder up before the boat is moved. It will cause damage if it is left down.
DOCKING: DO NOT tie the boat up with the anchor line. It will cause damage to the seats/upholstery that you are responsible for. DO NOT move the dock lines. DOCK ONLY in the Port-left-side of the boat.
DRIVER/OPERATOR Twisted Anchor Boats requires the designated driver, signed on the driver/operator waiver, to be at least 30 years of age, have at least two years of legitimate operating a boat experience, anchoring and docking experience and have a valid drivers license.
It is the drivers/operators responsibility to keep everyone onboard, other vessel on the water and their passengers safe. All safety equipment and rules and regulations will be reviewed before driving the boat.
Twisted Anchor Boats, LLC reserves the right to refuse a driver if any representative in the company feels the driver has misrepresented themselves in regards to experience or safety.
Everyone is to remain seated in designated seating areas while the boat is in motion. Do not sit on the back of the seats. Keep gates closed at all times while the boat is in motion. Do not enter the water when the motor is on. Do not dive in the water before the water depth is confirmed.

Please obey all slow speed and minimum/no wave zones

Please protect the seagrass life by avoiding shallow areas. visit Be Seagrass Safe for more info.

Sarasota Bay Esturary Safe Boating

Florida Boating Laws

SB606 FLORIDA LAW: Florida implemented new safety livery laws, SB606, and we are in compliance offering the option for our clients to purchase insurance to cover the rental period, a Boat Livery Permit as well as NASBLA Safety Certified, specific insurance requirements and have all approved and required USCG safety equipment onboard.
LIFE JACKETS: Children 6 years and under are required to wear a USCG approved life jacket at all times while onboard the boat, and any child over 6 years and under 90lbs is required to have a life jacket available when the boat is moving. Life jackets are easily accessible for everyone on board. (Infant/Child/Youth life jackets are subject to availability.) Infants are not recommended to come aboard. If they are brought on board, the renter assumes all responsibility and liability.
FLORIDA LAW REQUIRES anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 to have completed a Boating Safety Course in order to operate a boat. A Florida Boat Renter Temporary Certificate can be obtained on-line for $9.99 at: Florida Temporary Boating Certificate
You can obtain a Lifetime Certificate here: Florida Boating Lifetime Certificate
ALCOHOL IS PROHIBITED WHILE DRIVING. A BUI (Boating Under the Influence) will go on your record permanently.
DRIVER/OPERATOR Twisted Anchor Boats requires the designated driver, signed on the driver/operator waiver, to be at least 30 years of age, have at least two years of legitimate operating a boat experience and have a valid drivers license.
KILL SWITCH: Florida "Ethan's" Law requires the driver/operator to wear the kill switch at all times while operating the boat.
SPECIAL HAZARD LAW: Requires all boaters within 300 feet from a law enforcement boat with the lights or sirens on, to slow to minimum wake speed.
UNDER FEDERAL AND/OR STATE LAW it is a crime to operate a boat while persons are sitting on the front (bow), sides (gunwales), rear (stern), or swim platform. This behavior is considered grossly negligent operation of a boat.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS NOT ALLOWED ON BOARD THE PONTOON BOATS:

SMOKING
Aerosol spray lotions
Fishing and a pet not allowed on Godfrey Pontoon
Fishing equipment-only allowed on the Harris & Bennington
Sharp objects
Alcohol consumed by the driver
Rowdy or unsafe behavior
Towing/Tubing/Skiing
Using life jackets to wade in the water
Grills/Fires/Fireworks
Illegal drugs and Firearms
Anyone onboard not listed on and signed the participant liability waiver
Anyone driving the boat that has not signed the driver/operator waiver

NAVIGATION LIMITS:

Permissible:

Jewfish Key Sand Bar
Beer Can (Greer) Island
Sister Key
Palma Sola Bay
Dock & Dine restaurants in the ICW

These areas are permissible but are dependent on weather conditions, driver experience and # of people on board.

South of Longboat Key
Around Anna Maria Island in the ICW and/or Gulf
Gulf Waters-no further off the coast than 1 mile

Theses areas are in Tampa Bay waters and also dependent on weather conditions and driver experience due to potential choppy waters

Passage Key (Clothing optional area)
Egmont Key

No Permissible

Desoto Park
North of Egmont Key
Skyway Bridge
Docking at Rod & Reel Restaurant & Pier or Anna Maria City Pier

CANCELLATION POLICY FOR RENTALS:

Cancellation must be made BY PHONE PRIOR to 48 hours to the start of the rental period in order to get a deposit refund. Any cancellation made less than 48 hours prior to the start rental period will not be eligible for a refund.

DRIVER REQUIREMENTS:

All drivers must have at least two years of prior legitimate boating experience.
All drivers must be at least 30 years of age and provide a valid driver's license.
All drivers born after 01/01/1988 must complete a Boating Safety Course and show proof of completion before operating the boat.
All drivers must sign a liability waiver form prior to the start of the rental.
Twisted Anchor Boats, LLC reserves the right to refuse a driver if any representative of the company feels the driver has misrepresented themselves in regards to experience and/or adhering to safety.

DAMAGE POLICY:

A credit card will be on file for every boat rental to use for any damage, repair or loss that may occur during the rental period.
The renter will be held responsible if the costs of repairs, damage or loss and may incur an extra cleaning charge which is subject to inspection.
The boat will be fully inspected upon return. If there is damage causing repair or loss, the renter will receive a description, pictures if applicable and cost of the damage.
If damage was not conveyed but discovered by Twisted Anchor Boats after the end of the rental period, the renter will be notified immediately upon discovery.
The renter agrees on this signed contract to be responsible for any and all damages, issues or bad conditions done to the boat during the rental period.

BAD WEATHER POLICY:

We take your safety very seriously and monitor the weather before and during your rental period.

Conditions that would qualify for a deposit refund:

If there is a small craft advisory
80% chance of rain
A named storm in the forecast
Rain showers lasting more than 3 hours. (Short showers do not quality for a refund.
All weather forecasts are done through local and the Tampa Bay area forecasts.

WEATHER WHILE ON THE WATER:

You are in the Tropics and weather can come in that is not always predictable so we recommend you have weather alerts on your phone.
If you do not have weather alerts, we recommend this one for local radar and weather updates. Text 941-348-3292 for the link: ABC WWSB FIRST ALERT WEATHER.
We have frequent showers and thunderstorms that can not always be predicted and you may be asked to return to the dock sooner than the end of the rental period for your safety. This does not quality for a refund of any kind.
(Multi-day rentals do not qualify for refunds if the weather is bad at any time during the rental period.)

GAS:

The boat will be delivered with a full gas tank
It is the renter's responsibility to return the tank full OR Twisted Anchor Boats will fill at $5.00 a gallon. (We do not charge a service fee)
The gas use will be checked upon return and the renter will be informed of usage and charge.
It is the renter and driver's responsibility to check the fuel gauge before the start of the rental period and when returning to the dock
If you prefer to fill up, there are several marina's on the water but they typically charge more per gallon (Cannons in Longboat; Tide Tables, Annie's Bait & Tackle, and Seafood Shack in Cortez; Key's Marina and Waterline Marina in Holmes Beach, and Galati's Marina in Anna Maria.)

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

All adult USCG approved life vests. Infant, Child and Youth life vests are subject to availability
All USCG required safety equipment
Dock ties, dock bumpers and anchors
Blue-tooth stereo system
Marine Garmin GPS
Map of the local boating areas
An onboard tutorial will be given prior to leaving the dock
COOLERS are available to rent @$20 for the day

TWISTED ANCHOR BOATS FISHING POLICY WHILE ONBOARD

Fishing and the following guidelines: (NOT allowed on the Godfrey.)

Catch and release is preferred
Fishing equipment and bait are NOT allowed on the seats/upholstery
NO sharp objects allowed on the seats/upholstery
Fishing equipment and bait ARE to be kept on the floor
Turn OFF engine before casting
Do NOT cast over the seats
Only fish off the BACK of the boat
Do NOT fish in the Channels. It is dangerous with other boat wakes.
NO cleaning the fish on the boat.
There is a cleaning station back at the Coquina North Boat Ramp.

Please visit the FWC website for more information: https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/

FISHING LAWS & REGULATIONS:

Anyone onboard 16 and over fishing, must have a fishing license and must adhere to legal limit, fishing seasons and Florida State fishing laws. They can be purchased at a Manatee Tax Collector Office, or at: www.gooutdoorsflorida.com A non-resident three day Saltwater Fishing License can be purchased for $17.00.

FWC SALTWATER FISHING REGULATIONS: https://myfwc.com/media/20441/quickchart.pdf

Rent poles and bait at the Bridge Street Pier: https://www.bridgestreetbaitshop.com/fishing-pole-rentals

PICK UP LOCATION
Coquina North Boat Ramp

Manatee County Boater's Guide

WHAT TO BRING:

Fully charged cell phones and a way to keep them dry
Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
Extra towels, dry clothes & jacket
Water shoes-shells can be sharp
Cooler with food, drinks and snacks
Noodles for wading in the water
Toys for sand
Fresh water for rinsing off
A fun attitude!

PET POLICY:

One pet is allowed ONLY on the Harris pontoon with prior permission
Pet must be 50lbs or under
No incessant barking, biting, chewing or jumping tendencies are allowed
Pet must be listed on the liability waiver and signed by the owner
Pet must be current with Rabies vaccination
Owner will be responsible for possible extra $25 cleaning fee
Owner will be responsible for any damages or injury caused by and to the pet