Policies & FAQs

1. Booking & reservations

Q: How do I make a reservation?

A: Book online at kbayboatrentals.com/availability using the FareHarbor calendar, or call 907-630-0928 to book by phone. Phone booking is the only option for renters who don’t hold a Boater’s Education certificate.

Q: What deposit is required?

A: A $300 per day deposit is required to confirm your reservation. This is applied to your total balance at orientation and is non-refundable outside the cancellation window.

Q: When is the remaining balance due?

A: The remaining balance is collected at orientation the evening before your trip. A $2,500 security deposit is also charged to the operator’s credit card at that time and returned after the boat comes back undamaged.

Q: Is there a minimum rental?

A: No minimum. Single-day rentals are available. Additional days are priced at the lower multi-day rate automatically: $700/day for the McGray, $800/day for the Gondola.

2. Cancellations & refunds

The following situations qualify for a full refund:

• Cancellation 14 or more days before your rental date.
• K-Bay cancels due to mechanical failure on our end.
• A National Weather Service Small Craft Advisory is issued for Kachemak Bay on your rental day.

The following do not qualify for a refund:

• No-show or cancellation with less than 14 days’ notice.
• Renter arrives intoxicated, fails orientation, or is turned away for safety reasons.

Q: What counts as a weather cancellation?

A: A National Weather Service Small Craft Advisory for Kachemak Bay specifically. Clouds, light rain, or variable winds don’t qualify — Alaska summer weather is variable by nature and most mixed-condition days are safe. We make the final call when conditions are genuinely unsafe.

Q: Can I reschedule instead of cancel?

A: Yes, with 14 or more days’ notice. Rescheduling within 14 days is treated as a cancellation. Call 907-630-0928 as soon as you know you need to change your dates.

3. Operator requirements

All of the following must be met before we release a boat:

• Operator must be 25 years of age or older with a valid driver’s license.
• Operator must present a Boater’s Education certificate or USCG license, OR must have verifiable saltwater experience on Kachemak Bay or Cook Inlet and book by phone.
• All passengers must sign the K-Bay liability waiver at orientation.
• Operator must attend the dockside orientation the evening before the trip.
• Operator must be able to comprehend written and verbal instructions in English.

Q: Where do I get a free Boater’s Ed certificate?

A: Online at boatus.org/alaska. The course is free, completely online, and takes a few hours. Print or save your certificate before arriving in Homer.

Q: Can I bring children?

A: Yes. Children of any age may ride as passengers. The boat holds up to 6 total. Child-sized life jackets are provided. Children must be supervised by an adult and sign (or have a guardian sign) the liability waiver.

4. The boats

K-Bay offers two fully equipped 24-foot vessels, both permanently berthed at Homer Harbor. No towing or launching required.

McGray (24’ Raider Coastal 2484): $850 first day / $700 additional days. Sportier hull, slightly trimmer profile.

Gondola (24’ Bay Weld): $950 first day / $800 additional days. Beamier hull, very stable in chop. Good for larger groups or those sensitive to motion.

Q: What gear comes with the boat?

A: Both boats come fully equipped: dual Garmin GPS chartplotter/fishfinders, dual VHF radios, dual electric bilge pumps, manual emergency bilge pump, auto-launching EPIRB, inflatable emergency raft, adult and child life jackets, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, 12V outlet, anchor, navigation lights, binoculars, built-in fish box, rod holders, trim tabs, kicker engine, 4 halibut rod/reel combos, 2 salmon/rockfish rod/reel combos, 2 downriggers, sinkers, net, gaff, harpoon, club, cleaning supplies, and porta-pottie.

Q: Which boat should I choose?

A: Both are excellent. The Gondola is slightly more stable in chop — good for larger groups or first-timers. The McGray is a bit sportier. When in doubt, call us and describe your group and we’ll give you an honest recommendation.

5. Fuel & operating rules

Q: Who pays for fuel?

A: Fuel is the renter’s responsibility. Expect 30–50 gallons per full day. Fuel is available at Homer Harbor. A $40 fee is charged if the tank is returned below its starting level.

Q: What is the operating range?

A: 25 miles from Homer Harbor. Southern boundary: north end of Flat Island. Northern boundary: Anchor Point. Going outside these limits voids the rental agreement and forfeits the security deposit.

Q: What are the operating hours?

A: May through August 9: 5:30am–5:30pm. August 10 through end of season: 7:00am–5:30pm. Plan your return conservatively — allow extra time for weather and travel back to the harbor.

Q: Can I anchor overnight?

A: No. All rentals are day rentals. The boats return to Homer Harbor every evening. Multi-day rentals mean you have the boat for multiple consecutive days, not continuous overnight use.

6. Fishing licenses & regulations

Q: Do I need a fishing license?

A: Yes. Everyone 16 or older who plans to fish needs a valid Alaska Sport Fishing License. Buy online at admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license before you arrive, or locally in Homer. Resident and non-resident rates differ.

2025 bag limits for unguided anglers in Area 3A (Kachemak Bay):

• Halibut: 2 per day, any size. No annual limit for self-guided renters. (Charter limits differ — do not apply here.)
• King salmon: 1 per day, any size, April 1 – August 31.
• Coho salmon: Available mid-July. Verify current in-season limits at adfg.alaska.gov.
• Rockfish: 3 per day total; max 2 pelagic. No yelloweye retention May 27 – June 30.

Regulations change annually. Verify current limits before every trip at adfg.alaska.gov or call (907) 235-6930.

7. Dockside orientation

Q: What happens at orientation?

A: Orientation takes place the evening before your trip at the boat slip at Homer Harbor. We walk through starting the engine and kicker, operating the GPS and VHF radios, running the bilge pumps, deploying the anchor, using the downriggers, and all safety equipment. Plan for 45–60 minutes.

Q: What if I miss orientation?

A: Missing orientation without prior notice forfeits your deposit. If you’ll be late or need to reschedule, call 907-630-0928 as early as possible. The boat will not be released without a completed orientation.

8. Safety policies

Q: What do I do if weather deteriorates on the water?

A: Head back toward Homer Harbor immediately — don’t wait until conditions become urgent. Monitor VHF channel 16 at all times. The K-Bay day-breeze typically builds from the west in the afternoon on sunny days. Plan your farthest point for the morning and work back toward the spit as the day progresses.

Q: What do I do in an emergency?

A: Life-threatening emergency: activate the EPIRB. Call the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF channel 16. Call 911 if you have cell signal. For non-emergency mechanical issues, call K-Bay at 907-630-0928.

Q: Is alcohol allowed?

A: No. Operating under the influence is a federal and state crime. Renters appearing intoxicated at orientation or on rental day will be denied the boat with no refund.

Q: What if I damage the boat?

A: The $2,500 security deposit covers minor incidental damage. Significant damage beyond that amount is the renter’s financial responsibility. Willful or negligent damage is billed directly.

9. Fish processing

Homer Harbor provides free filleting facilities for personal use. For vacuum packaging, freezing, smoking, or shipping, contact either of the following — both offer free fish pick-up from the harbor:

• Coal Point Seafoods — welovefish.com
• Homer Fish Processing — homerfishprocessing.com

Styrofoam fish boxes are available locally and keep fish frozen for approximately 24 hours. Alaska Airlines has freezers at some airports for delayed connections — call ahead to confirm. Pack light on the way in to leave room for fish on the way out.

10. Miscellaneous

Q: Can I bring my own tackle?

A: Absolutely. The boats come fully rigged, but you’re welcome to supplement with your own jigs, leaders, and bait.

Q: Is there cell service on the water?

A: Intermittent past the Homer Spit area. Don’t rely on your phone for navigation or emergencies. Use the onboard VHF radio.

Q: Can international visitors rent?

A: Yes. Valid government ID required. Must comprehend written and verbal instructions in English. Same Boater’s Ed or experience requirements apply.

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