Ask us anything
If you already know roughly what you want, the fastest thing you can do is call a captain yourself: the full list is here. If you’d rather ask us first, the form is below.
How this works
Send us a message and we’ll read it. If your dates are close, don’t wait on us. Call an operator directly from the list and you’ll have an answer the same afternoon.
Location
Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard
May – October
November – April
Send an inquiry
Tell us the date and how many of you there are. That is usually enough for us to say who to call.
Only your name, email, subject and message are needed. Everything else helps but can stay blank.
Before you write: we don’t run boats and we don’t take bookings. We keep the list; you deal with the captain. Most charter boats here are legally capped at 6 guests, so a group of ten usually goes out as two boats leaving together, or on one of the few Coast Guard-inspected boats that take more. And you are welcome to skip this form, the whole list is here, numbers included.
Inquiry Received
Thanks, we have it. We read everything, though we can’t always reply to each message. If your dates are close, contact an operator directly rather than waiting on us.
In the meantime, the full list of operators is here with their own numbers:
Questions people ask
Not in there? Use the form above, or email us and ask. A person reads it.
How far in advance should I inquire?
+For a July or August weekend, ask as early as you can: Saturdays on the good boats are usually gone by about mid-June. Weekdays, and dates in June or September, are easier, often with a few weeks’ notice.
What if the weather is bad?
+The captain decides whether it is safe to go out, and you should let them. What happens to your money after that is each operator’s own policy, so ask before you book whether a weather cancellation gets you a refund, a new date or a credit.
Can we bring food and drinks?
+Usually. Several operators here say BYOB on their own sites, and some supply coolers and ice. Check with the operator when you book, because the boat is theirs and so are the rules.
How do I get to Martha's Vineyard?
+Take the Steamship Authority ferry from Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven (45 min), then a 15-minute drive to Edgartown. Seasonal ferries also run to Oak Bluffs from Hyannis.
How quickly do you respond?
+We read everything that comes in, but we’re a small operation and can’t promise a reply to every message. If your dates are close, go straight to an operator. They’re all listed here with their own phone numbers.
What should I budget for?
+It depends on the boat and the hours. As published on the operators’ own sites: a shared three-hour sail on the schooner Alabama is $100 a person, a private two-hour sail $600–$675 for the boat, a private sunset $440–$825, and a private half day of fishing $550–$1,500 (a full day $1,050–$3,500). Tell us roughly what you’d like to spend and we’ll suggest who might fit.
Is my information kept private?
+We use your details to answer you and to point you toward the right operators. We don’t pass it to advertisers, list brokers or anyone else for their marketing. The details are in our Privacy Policy.