Vacation Boat Rentals Reviews

Captain Bob,

I finally have a few minutes to let you know how much I appreciate you, the dock crew guys, and young ladies at the reservation desk who made our Keys fishing trip one of the best.  The 22 foot Seachaser we rented was in top condition and the driest boat I've ever been on.  (I used to own a 25 foot Mako, soaking wet at the end of an average day and your knees felt like you jumped out of a 2nd story window, I'll say no more).  Having the boat delivered to our dock and pick it up maximized our time in paradise.  Also, thanks for the fish cooler.  We filled it twice and always brought home fish.  I'll be contacting you early next year as we finalize our plans to visit the Keys.

Thanks again to you and your crew.

Terry Sexson

Bouse, Arizona

I have been a boat owner for over 20 years, since I moved into Florida I have decided to rent & think about buying. Been to many bareboat rental businesses. Met Bob last year, and been renting with him ever since. He's got less price and more equipment than any other I have known or used. Regardless of that it is Bob seriousness, kindness, and the way he treats customers, what keeps me returning. Been there five times, and planning my next visit between August and September. Will not buy for now. Keep the good business going Bob.

Jose Guzman
Miami, FL
June, 2009

Capt. Bob & Linda - I would like to take a few moments to express my sincere appreciation to you and your staff for providing such a quality product and experience to my family on our recent vacation to Cudjoe Key, FL. Prior to making my reservation with you, I contacted some locals for recommendations, which upon a little due diligence proved to be about 30% more expensive than your company, while providing a very inferior product - smaller, older hulls, older two-stroke outboards, minimal navigation equipment, no outriggers ... - all of which caused me to do some of my own research. Happening upon your web site and viewing the listed boats and their equipment, initially led me to deem it too good to be true. I called and spoke to Captain Bob, who after a few minutes of conversation, I intuitively knew was the real deal. Together we settled on a boat that would best suit my families interests, both diving and off-shore fishing, and agreed upon a price. At the agreed upon time, I met VACATION BOAT RENTALS LLC's delivery person, who had trailered the boat up for my rental. The delivery person was very knowledgeable, and made certain that I understood the color GPS mapping and basic workings of the boat. He then gave me his cell # and made it clear that he would be there for me if I had any questions etc. Many people go through the motions nowadays , but with your dock hand I knew he was sincere. To sum it up, I received a boat that exceeded my expectations, and service reminiscent of a bygone era in America. I might also mention that I was the envy of every other boater in our compound, many of whom admittedly paid much more money to the local rental outfits for a boat(s) unfit for comparison at any level. Needless to say, they all now have your contact information. On balance, VACATION BOAT RENTALS LLC is truly the exception to the adage that," if it appears to be too good to be true, it probably is." Thanks again for helping to make our vacation everything we hoped it would be. Best regards, Tim Dearing & Family

Tim Dearing
Lexington, KY
June, 2009

I think this makes 7 out of the last 8 years for us renting from you guys (didn't make it down one year).    Love the boats and great service.

Thanks,
Keith Rodden - Evansville, IN - March 2013

Hey Captain Bob,

We spoke last week while I was in the Keys aboard one of your rental boats.  It was an awesome boat.  Thank you for graciously accepting my frantic call when the motors wouldn’t turn over.  It was early, and I hesitated to call, but the boys on the boat (my husband, brother in law and nephew) were all being super stubborn and refusing to ask for help!  As you stepped us through the problem, it turned out to be pretty simple.  I appreciate your help and the great customer service.

Kay Wolfe - Atlanta, GA - June 2013

Message I rented a boat from VBR and upon arriving I was informed that the boat had encured engine trouble. Trying to get parts from all over FL. Capt Bob and his team decided to replace the existing motor with a brand new one. This saved my vacation with my kids! I want to thank Capt Bob and the crew for an outstanding job servicing your customers. I will rent from them again and would recommend VBR to everyone.

Al Manning
Dayton, OH
June, 2007

One of the smoothest operations I have ever dealt with in the keys for over 40 years.Very easy going staff and owner that you can tell really appreciate your business and got us out of there in about 30 mins.There are many flakes and jerks working most of these rental places but Capt Bob is down to earth and treated us the way we wanted to be treated. Already planning our next trip. It was my girlfriend's first time and she can't wait to go back.

Bob Francis
Hollywood, FL
April, 2009

thanks bob great boat great service see you next year

Nick Hiscott
Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
June, 2009

Message It was our first time to the Florida Keys. (what a great place!) I chose to rent a 22' Sea Chaser with 150hp outboard from Captain Bob. It was really a great boat; heavy enough to beat through the waves in comfort. We stayed in Islamorada, and Vacation Boat Rentals trailered the boat to us for $100 (which, now that I know how far it is, is REALLY reasonable) We rented fishing rods for the whole family for a very reasonable price. We had a GREAT vacation and I'd highly recommend renting from Vacation Boat Rentals! Thanks, Guys!!!

Brent Glenn
Windsor, Colorado
April, 2008

Great time fishing! Wanted to thank you for the great time we had with the boat. It was our first time fishing saltwater and had no problem getting around and catching fish. It was perfect for bottomfishing and trolling, we even did some snorkeling too. It makes it easy when you can even rent your poles from the boat rental as well. We had everything we needed and had a blast. The electronic navigation system makes everything pretty easy too. Everything worked great and we really enjoyed it! The dock crew was great and very friendly. Hope to come back soon.

Paul Adams
Greenwood, IN
February, 2009

We just finished renting a 25' Dusky from you guys (2nd year in a row). I wanted to thank you for another great rental experience.  The boat was clean and handled well. Although we did not use your dock, the guys were very responsive to calls I made with questions and they even made a house call to fix the live well.  Thanks again and I look forward to renting from you soon.

Mike Wasicko - Finksburg, MD - June 2013

Dear Capt. Bob, Just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for coming to our rescue after being let down by a 'popular' rental company in Islamorada. We have been renting boats in the Keys for 10 years and without doubt your boats, prices and customer service are the absolute best!! I just wish we found you years ago! Never had a boat with a fresh water shower before....that was fantastic after snorkelling & diving. The company we rent our apartment from were also very impressed by your service and will be including a link to your website on their internet site. Once again, I can't thank you and your staff enough and we will be in touch soon for our next visit. Superb Service!

Gareth & Sarah Pinckard
Isle of Man, British Isles
June, 2008

Message Great boat at a reasonable price. We had a two day rental from Captain Bob. We were staying up the canal from his rental place and he let us take the boat up to our slip so we could just go fishing in the morning with out spending the time with the paper work. The guys on the dock had all the hot spots set up on the GPS and all we had to do was follow the map. The fishing was so good we had to leave the lines out of the water just to eat a sandwich and the boat performed flawlessly. Returning the boat also was easy, we just filled the gas tank and dropped it off the last evening. We will be using Captain Bob's boats again next year.

Joe Mesoros
PA
January, 2007

Hi Capt. Bob Just wanted to thank you for the excellent boat and service supplied for the rental, look foreward to seeing you again next year.

David Harris
United Kingdom
May, 2008

I have not even made it down there yet. But Capt Bob has gone out of his way to ensure that my trip in May will be a success. Capt Bob has shown more respect for the customer than all of the other boat rental companies. He is sincere and takes his time in explaining everything that you need to know. Thanks Bob!!

Bill Gilman
Tipp City Ohio
April, 2006

I have been going to the Florida Keys for over 30 years, often renting or chartering. Some of our rental experiences have been good and some have been very bad. Our rental experience with Vacation Boat Rental has been the best ever. The 27 Sea Chaser we rented from you was an excellent boat. It was well maintained and had all the options a fishing boat should have. We were especially please with the service and professionalism of your staff. You and your staff really made us feel like your utmost goal was for us to have an enjoyable experience and we did. Look forward to renting from you again next year.

Ken Kishishita
July, 2007

We rented the 27 Sport Craft last month for a week. I just have to say Capt Bob was great to deal with and the boat was exactly what we were looking for. (not to mention all the great fishing areas on the GPS)We already have another week booked for this May. Thanks Capt Bob, and thanks again for the gear!!

Pat Lamb
Orlando, Florida
February, 2006

Captain Bob, We had our annual fishing trip in July and rented your 27' Sea Chaser. We had a great time and caught some nice fish. I really appreciate the reliable service and the great boat you provided. You guys do the Boat Rental business right. We look forward to seeing you guys next summer.

Steve
August, 2007

A big thank you is due for my recent rental. I admit I was very nervous about committing to a full week rental boat, but everyone I dealt with was great and the boat performed flawlessly. I look forward to renting again next year...

Pete Nemeth - Coral Springs, FL

July 2012

I wanted to take a minute and say thanks for making the trip a success. We had great weather and went home with almost 200 lbs of dolphin and 50 lbs of grouper and yellowtail. I would highly recommend you to anyone who goes down.

Bill Gilman
May, 2006

To Captain Bob Robinson

I just completed an 11 day rental from your company.

Thank you so much for providing such a nice rental experience.

Everything was great!

The boat was excellent and the price was just right. Thank you so much.

You are blessed to have a great dock crew who delivered the boat to us.

They were wonderful.

From the way they went over everything on the boat with us to their kind manner they were great.

Kim was also wonderful. She is just such a pleasant person to speak with on the phone and attentive to every detail.

I will recommend your company and look forward to renting from you again.

Gerald T Grode Jr

Capt. Bob. We had a ball last week. Your are the best boat rental company on the Keys. We are bragging to everyone how you drove 40 miles one morning at 6 and replaced the live well pump. Then when a motor blew a belt,you were there with another boat when we got in. Boats were set up great for fishing. We'll always come to you for fishing boats.

Ken Portanova
February, 2006

We just finished up our annual keys vacation and as always we rented a boat from Capt Bob. This year we rented the 27 Sea Chaser. What an amazing boat, twin 200 E-tecs, dual livewells, Taco outriggers, and a color plotter. If you fish far this is the boat for you, extreme power and very responsive wrapped in a fuel efficient package. Again Capt Bob was great to deal with. I strongly recommend Capt Bob and his boats. Thanks again Bob, see you in Dec.

Pat Lamb
Orlando, Fl
June, 2007

I have rented boats from Capt. Bob for the last two years for a month at a time. I could buy a boat but with Bob I get the benefits of an almost new boat and none of the problems and hassles of ownership. If I have a problem Bob takes care of it. I consider Capt. Bob a friend and I will never own another boat as long as Bob rents them.

Jim Johnston
Evansville, IN
February, 2007