Freedom Boat Club – Tampa: Rick’s on the River

Florida law requires you to be at least 18 to rent a livery vessel other than a human-powered vessel. Florida sets no general minimum age to operate a boat, but a personal watercraft operator must be at least 14.

Under section 327.395, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must carry the required boating safety credentials. An exemption applies when accompanied by a credentialed or exempt person age 18 or older who is attendant to the operation and responsible for safe operation and violations. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum subject to state law, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida does not issue a boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1988, must carry photo ID and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating education card when running a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. There is no general minimum age for boats; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and no one under 18 may rent any vessel other than a human powered one. Exemptions include Coast Guard licensed masters, private lake or pond operators, operators accompanied aboard by someone 18 or older who holds the card or is exempt and is responsible for the vessel, and nonresidents with proof of a NASBLA-approved out of state course. Any non exempt operator may instead pass an FWC approved temporary certificate exam and carry that certificate with photo ID for 90 days.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

From Tampa, you can boat the Hillsborough River, Hillsborough Bay, Old Tampa Bay, and the freshwater Tampa Bypass Canal. The Hillsborough River is narrow above downtown and reaches Seddon Channel at Hillsborough Bay; Lowry Park has a city boat launch on the river. Hillsborough Bay is broader water with deep shipping channels; Ballast Point and Davis Island Seaplane Basin are city ramp options.

Old Tampa Bay is another broad arm, but shoals border its dredged channels; Picnic Island provides another city launch. Harney Park launches directly into the urban Tampa Bypass Canal, where posted idle and slow-speed zones apply. Tampa Bay connects the two bay arms with Gulf waters.

Source: City of Tampa (tampa.gov)

From Tampa, boaters can make day trips to Pine Key, Egmont Key and downtown St. Petersburg. Pine Key, better known as Beer Can Island, is a boat-only private stop where access is for members, owners and their guests, with anchoring off the beach. Egmont Key, at the mouth of Tampa Bay, draws crews for swimming, snorkeling, shelling and the island’s lighthouse and Fort Dade remains. Across the bay, St. Petersburg’s municipal marina puts visiting boats at the downtown waterfront, within steps of the Pier’s shops and restaurants.

Source: Beer Can Island (beercanisland.com)