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A charter boat's wake at dusk off Martha's Vineyard
Groups

A boat for seven or more, on Martha’s Vineyard

Most boats here may carry six. For seven or more: two boats together, or one of the few Coast Guard-inspected boats that may carry more.

Seven or more

Two boats, or a boat that may carry more

Almost every boat here is uninspected, and an uninspected boat may carry six paying passengers at most: that is federal law (46 U.S.C. 2101), not the captain’s choice. Crew do not count. A boat the Coast Guard has inspected may carry what its Certificate of Inspection allows, and those are marked “USCG inspected” below.

So a group of seven to twelve has two choices. Two boats leaving together, usually from two operators, since most run one boat: same route, same sunset, two minimums. Or one of the few inspected boats below, if the kind of trip it runs is the trip you want.

If somebody offers to take nine of you on one uninspected boat, that is not a favor: it puts their license at risk.

More than six

Boats that say they may carry more than six

From the operators’ own sites; we have not seen anyone’s certificate. Ask the captain what the boat is certified for when you call.

Cottage City OystersUSCG inspectedOak Bluffs
31ft. Oyster-farm tours on the water, not a private charter.
30 guests
Their site →(508) 299-7745
MV SkipperUSCG inspectedOak Bluffs
“Skipper”, a party fishing boat run by Capt. John Potter, fishing since 1987, and inspected by the Coast Guard every year. Daily trips at $100 a person, licenses and bait included, as published on their site (last changed August 2025): call to confirm. Private fishing and sunset charters for groups of up to 40.
40 guests
Their site →(508) 693-1238
On The Boat ChartersUSCG certifiedOak Bluffs
A 38ft Evans, owner and captain Donny Brice. Their site says the boat is certified by the Coast Guard for up to 12 passengers plus 2 crew. Cruises, fishing and water taxi, priced by the hour: 2 hours $1,500, 3 hours $1,850, 4 hours $2,450. Checked on their site Oct 2, 2026.
12 guests
Their site →(917) 699-3306
The Black Dog Tall ShipsVineyard Haven (Tisbury)
The schooner Alabama. Three-hour day and sunset sails from the Black Dog Wharf, sold by the ticket: $100 adults, $60 ages 4–12. Fireworks sails, and private charters for weddings and events.
Shared sails
Their site →(508) 693-1699
Mad MaxEdgartown
49-passenger catamaran, USCG inspected. Closed for 2026 while a bigger boat is built; their site says it returns in 2027 or 2028.
49 guests
no site we could find