Charter Agreement for Boat (E.G., Sailboat or Motor Yacht)
Charter Agreement made on the ___ day of __________, 20___, between ____________
of __________________________________ (street address, city, county, state, zip code) ,
referred to herein as Charterer, and _________________________ , Inc., a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the state of _________, with its principal office located
at _____________________________________________ (street address, city, county, state, zip
code) , referred to herein as Owner.
Owner hereby leases to Charterer the _________ (type of vessel), _____________
(name), registration no. ____ (the Vessel ), subject to the following terms, conditions, and
agreements:
I. Condition on Delivery
A. The Vessel is a ___-year-old _____________________________ (e.g., sailboat
or motor yacht), valued at $____________, with an overall length of ___feet, a beam of
____feet, and a mean draft of _____feet, ___inches, with accommodations for ____persons
total. The Vessel is equipped with all safety equipment required by the United States Coast
Guard for such a vessel. The Vessel was overhauled and inspected by Owner on ______ (date),
and at that time was found or made to be seaworthy and otherwise in good condition.
Acceptance or use of the Vessel by Charterer will be deemed to be an acknowledgment that the
Vessel is seaworthy, in good condition, and fit for Charterer's purposes.
B. Charterer, at the expense of Charterer, may obtain a survey of the Vessel by a
qualified marine surveyor prior to acceptance. If the report of this survey is that the Vessel is not
seaworthy and in good condition, then this Agreement shall terminate and Owner shall
reimburse Charterer for all of expenses incurred by Charterer in connection with this
Agreement, including those of the survey. Charterer acknowledges that the Vessel is of a size,
design, and capacity suitable for Charterer's use.
III. Term and Rent
The initial term of this Agreement is ___months at a rate of $_______ per month payable
in advance at the office of Owner at ______________________________________ (street
address, city, county, state, zip code) . Receipt of the first month's rent is acknowledged by
Owner. After the expiration of the initial term, this Agreement shall continue on a month-to-
month basis subject to termination by either party by written notice at least ___days prior to the
end of any month.
IV. Security Deposit
Owner acknowledges that Charterer has deposited with Owner as security $_______ and
Charterer agrees that this deposit shall be security for performance of Charterer's obligations
under this Agreement. At Owner's option, this sum may be applied to satisfy any obligation of
Charterer that may be in default, but neither the making of this deposit nor its use by Owner
shall excuse Charterer from performance of any such obligation. Any portion of such deposit
that has not been so applied by Owner shall be returned to Charterer at the termination of this
Agreement.
V. Location of Use
The vessel will be permanently berthed at __________________ (name of marina) at
_________________________________________ (street address, city, county, state, zip code) .
Charterer shall give Owner ____days' written notice of any change in permanent berthing of the
Vessel. Charterer shall not remove the Vessel from the following defined geographic area
without the prior written permission of Owner: ______________________________________
__________________________________________ (Define the geographic area restrictions).
VI. Limitation on Use
The Vessel shall be used only for general pleasure cruising and recreation, and Charterer
shall not carry passengers or cargo for hire.
VII. Liability for Loss or Damage
Charterer assumes all risk of loss of and damage to the Vessel from any cause. In the
event of loss of or damage to the Vessel , Charterer at the option of Owner shall:
A. Place the vessel in good repair; or
B. Surrender the Vessel to Owner and pay the lowest of three shipyard repair
estimates obtained by Owner , and this Agreement shall terminate upon such payment; or
C. If the Vessel is lost, pay Owner in cash the value of the Vessel as set forth in
Section I, and this Agreement shall terminate upon such payment.
Obligations of Charterer established in this Section shall be abated to the extent of insurance
payments received by Owner.
VIII. Return of Vessel
On expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, Charterer shall return Vessel to
Owner by delivering it to the harbor at which Charterer accepted it, or at such other location
within miles of the harbor as Owner shall direct, free of all liens and encumbrances and in good
repair, ordinary wear and tear resulting from proper use alone excepted.
IX. Insurance
Charterer shall purchase from an insurance company acceptable to Owner, and
subsequently maintain in full force and effect, insurance policies made payable to Owner in the
following amounts:
A. Standard yacht hull insurance providing full marine coverage of $__________.
B. Protection and indemnity insurance of $__________.
X. Inventories of Fuel and Stores
The Vessel shall be delivered to C harterer with fuel and potable water tanks topped off,
and with the following provisions and stores: _________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ (describe).
Charterer shall return the Vessel to Owner at the expiration of this Agreement with the same
stores and fuel on board, or pay Owner for any shortages at retail prices.
XI. Alterations
Charterer shall make no alterations in or to the Vessel without the prior written
permission of Owner. Any such alterations permitted by Owner shall be at the sole expense of
Charterer and shall be the property of Owner.
XII. Defaults
The difficulty of securing an owner's interest in a chartered vessel requires Owner to
reserve the right of summary repossession. Accordingly, Charterer agrees that any failure to pay
rent as required by this Agreement within ___days of the due date or any failure to perform in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall constitute an immediate
default, and Owner shall have the right to seize Vessel wherever it may be found, summarily and
without notice. In the event of such default and consequent repossession by Owner, this
Agreement shall terminate after Charterer has paid all rent due and any other amounts payable
pursuant to this Agreement.
XIII. Maritime Liens
Charterer shall not incur any maritime liens or other encumbrances on the vessel other
than for salvage, and shall not remove or deface any notice that may be posted on Vessel by
owner as evidence of Owner's interest.
XIV. Indemnity
This Agreement is a demise charter, and Owner maintains no control over Charterer's
use of Vessel except as set forth in this Agreement. Therefore, Charterer shall indemnify and
hold harmless Owner from and against all claims, actions, proceedings, damages, and liabilities,
arising from or connected with Charterer's possession, use, and return of Vessel.
XV. Assignment
Charterer shall not assign or sublet Charterer's interest in Vessel without the prior
written consent of Owner. Owner may assign Owner's right to payments under this Agreement
by written notice to Charterer.
XVI. Attorney’s Fees
If any action is filed in relation to this Agreement, the unsuccessful party in the action
shall pay to the successful party, in addition to all other sums that either party may be called
upon to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful party's attorney's fees.
XVI. Operation of Vessel
Charterer certifies that Charterer is at least ____years old and that he/she understands
fully, and is experienced in, the navigation of the class of vessel chartered and is experienced in
the use of the equipment provided. Charterer further certifies that he/she will not operate the
Vessel while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics or permit any other person to operate it
in such condition, and that Charterer will neither use it nor permit it to be used for any illegal
purpose.
XVII. Limitation of Warranty
Owner has not made and does not make any representation, warranty, or covenant,
express or implied, with respect to the condition, quality, durability, or suitability for
Charterer's intended use of the Vessel excepting only that the Vessel was seaworthy and in good
condition when last inspected on ______ (date). Owner will not be liable to Charterer for any
liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the Vessel, by
any inadequacy of, or defect in, or any incident in connection with, the Vessel.
XVII. Mandatory Arbitration
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any
dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the
parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator
and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said
dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association
then in force and effect.
WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.
____________________ , Inc.
________________________ By _____________________________
(Name of Charterer) (Name and Office in Corporation)
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