Vacation Boat Rentals Reviews

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

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

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

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

SIMPLY THE BEST, we rented from Capt Bob for the second year running and this year he delivered all the way to Key Largo for us. The boats are fantastic and his service and prices are the best in the Florida Keys. A big thankyou to Capt Bob and your crew.  See you again in October.

David & Cathy Willoughby
United Kingdom
May, 2008

I just wanted to drop you a quick line and say thanks for a great experience. The crew was more than helpful on setting us up with the boat and putting us on some productive fishing spots. While we didn't have the exact boat we originally booked, the twin center you provided worked out great. The boat was in GREAT shape and ran well in some pretty choppy water that day. All in all it was probably a better choice (than the 25 cuddy) given the rougher seas. We will definitely be passing the good word along about Vacation Boat Rentals to anyone coming down your way and certainly will be seeing you again the next time we visit Key West.

Allen Bullock
Plainfield, IL
May, 2008

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

Bob Just wanted to say thank you for a great week, your service is top notch as well as your boats! We will be back and I will be sending you some more customers.

Capt. Denis Dixon

Michigan

February 2010

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

Capt Bob.. We really did enjoy meeting you and the staff at Vacation Boat Rentals this past week. I know the rental business is very difficult at times but you and your staff took excellent care of us and we really had a great time. We will be back in a few months to do it all over again. Meanwhile here are a couple of the photos of the nice Dolphin we caught while using your boat and gear.

Rob Wallgren
Buda, Texas
May, 2008

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

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

Very Good Buisness! I rented a boat for the week from Capt. Bob and had a great time. The boat was delivered on time and was nice and clean and had all the equipment you need for a week of fishing and diving. I gurantee I will be renting from you again. Thanks for the great time and I'm already missing the Keys. I highly recommend Capt. Bob Boat Rentals!

Kevin Newcomb
Charleston, WV
June, 2007

Captain Bob, We like to Thank you For your great service & the boat really made our stay great. !! you have some good guys also.. thanks again mike mc vey

Mike McVey
Gibbsboro, NJ
March, 2009

This is the first time we have rented from Capt Bob, and we were definitely impressed. Everything was perfect - from the service to the INCREDIBLE boat and the price. Capt Bob and crew were wonderful to work with and made sure we had absolutely everything we needed... and then some. There's just no comparison to other boat rental companies we have dealt with, and we'll be sticking with Capt Bob from now on. Thank you guys so much for a perfect vacation!

Laurie & Robert W.
Denver, Co
September, 2006

Captain Bob, Just wanted to thank you and your dock crew once again for a great experience. Your customer service is unequalled. We look forward to next year and our third straight year of renting from Vacation Boat Rentals.

Keith Rodden 
Evansville, IN
April, 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

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

thanks bob great boat great service see you next year

Nick Hiscott
Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
June, 2009

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

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

Now that I am almost fully recovered from the trip, I wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed it. The Cape Horn ran well in some rough seas, and we sure appreciated the fine service and prompt attention given to us by all of your dock hand crew. Thanks again, and we'll see you next year! ps those Suzuki's were very enonomical on fuel.

Wendell Grayson
Louisa, KY
May, 2009

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

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