What are the steps needed to rent a pontoon boat in California?

5/5 stars

Crest Pontoon 24...

Shawn was great! His pontoon was fantastic. We had the best time.

Samantha

Jul 2025
5/5 stars

Amazing 2022...

Mike was great. Boat was awesome had a lot of fun. See you soon Mike.

MICHELLE

Jul 2025
5/5 stars

2016 Avalon...

Luke was great, we rented it for 7/21, but wind was going to be bad so he reached out and recommended another day. ...

Michael

Jul 2025
5/5 stars

Chill 30' Deck...

Captain Mark made our experience classic! We enjoyed every detail he put into making our day just right!! Thank you...

Donna

Jul 2025
5/5 stars

Amazing 2022...

It was a great experience to rent the boat from Mike. The boat was in perfect shape and everything that we were led...

Eric

Jul 2025
5/5 stars

Crest Pontoon 24...

Shawn was great to work with and the boat was as expected. Tons of fun! Would recommend renting and working with Shawn.

Mike

Jul 2025
5/5 stars

Amazing 2022...

Mike was amazing! He communicated well, and made sure we were setup for a successful Trans Tahoe Swim. Thank you for...

Chris

Jul 2025
5/5 stars

23' Tritoon,...

2nd time renting from Heather and Michelle. Great hosts, great boat. We’ll be back.

Gregory

Jul 2025
5/5 stars

Pontoon Starcraft...

Laura

Jul 2025
5/5 stars

Amazing 2022...

Mike and Tom are fabulous, helpful, and easy to work with. I highly suggest renting from them. We had a great day!

Lori

Jul 2025
5/5 stars

Private Charters...

This was a real treat for my friends visiting from Chicago. Captain Flips laid out the three hour trip perfectly. ...

Glen

Jul 2025
5/5 stars

Crest Pontoon 24...

Shawn's boat was perfect for our family with 4 little kids. They had a blast and the boat was in amazing shape....

Kaleigh

Jul 2025

How to rent a pontoon boat in California?

Find the perfect boat

Enter your desired location and date to explore our fleet of pontoon boats.

Select a captain

Choose to drive yourself or select a USCG licensed captain.

Book with ease

Connect with your boat owner and complete your booking online.

Set sail

Enjoy your day on the water with friends and family!

Why Boatsetter?

As the global leader in peer-to-peer boat rentals, Boatsetter offers an easy, safe and accessible way to experience on-the-water adventure. With boat rentals in 600+ locations, finding a boat is easy and with the option to tap into the largest network of USCG licensed captains, boating experience is not required.

Get out on the water worry-free, knowing our insurance covers every boating trip

Choosing the right boat rental platform is essential to your peace of mind while on the water. That's why we've gone the extra mile to focus on safety through our exclusive partnership with GEICO Marine and BoatUS. As the first and only boat rental marketplace to offer insurance on every peer-to-peer rental, you are protected during all rentals with insurance coverage and on-water assistance through TowBoatUS.

Insurance provided by

Got questions?

Frequently asked questions

How many people can fit on the boat rental?

The number of people who can fit on boat rental largely depends on the boat’s size and how many life jackets are on board. Currently the coast guard allows a maximum of 10-12 people on a Boatsetter boat rental.

How old do you have to be to rent a boat?

You must be 18 years old to rent a captained boat and 25 years old if you would like to rent a bareboat charter.

Do I need a boating license to rent a boat?

Boating license requirements vary from state to state. As a renter, you are responsible for understanding local state requirements.

How much does it cost to rent a pontoon boat?

The cost of renting a pontoon boat depends on the size, location, and rental time of the boat. Prices can range anywhere from $200 for a half-day rental or just under a $1,000 for longer rentals.