Freedom Boat Club – Sebastian – Sportsman’s Lodge

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 Sebastian, you can cruise the Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, explore the waters around Pelican Island, pass through Sebastian Inlet, or continue into the Atlantic Ocean. The lagoon is the calmer choice, while the refuge waters around Pelican Island include spoil and mangrove islands for a scenic outing among islands. Sebastian Inlet is the transition from brackish lagoon water to salty, open ocean boating. Put in at Main Street Park Boat Ramp in Sebastian’s waterfront district, or use the boat ramps on both sides of Sebastian Inlet State Park.

Source: City of Sebastian (cityofsebastian.org)

From Sebastian, popular day trips include the Sebastian Inlet sandbar, the waters around Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and the St. Sebastian River Preserve. The sandbar on the lagoon side of Sebastian Inlet draws boats for swimming and social stops. Around Pelican Island, boaters cruise the Indian River Lagoon for wildlife viewing, photography and fishing in open refuge waters. Up the St. Sebastian River, the preserve offers a quieter run past overhanging trees, bluffs and wildlife, with canoe landings connecting the river to the park’s trail system.

Source: Visit Indian River County (visitindianrivercounty.com)