Wickford Boat Rentals

Wickford Boat Rentals Welcome to Wickford Boat Rentals on Facebook! Wickford Boat Rentals is a unique alternative to boat ownership and clubs. Come join our growing community of fans!

We offer a variety of power and sail options, including charter for special occasions. We also offer training for those who are new to boating or just want to improve their skills. We are located in historic Wickford Village which is easily accessible from Newport, the Rhode Island beaches, Connecticut and Massachusetts. We look forward to seeing you this season. Check us out on the web at www.wickfordboatrentals.com for more information and reservations.

You can run a boat perfectly and still make a poor call.It happens when the wind shifts faster than expected.When the cu...
06/04/2026

You can run a boat perfectly and still make a poor call.

It happens when the wind shifts faster than expected.

When the current sets you off your line.

When visibility drops and traffic closes in.

That gap is not about throttle control.

It’s seamanship.

A useful way to think about it is simple: Sea, Man, Ship.

Sea means you read conditions before they read you.

Wind, tide, current, visibility, traffic, sea state.

Man means your judgment holds under pressure.

You plan before you cast off.

You keep crew communication clear.

You stay calm when the plan needs to change.

Ship means you understand how your vessel behaves.

Not just in calm water, but in wind and current.

Not just in open space, but close-quarters.

When those three parts work together, you stop reacting late.
You start making clean decisions early.

What part challenges you most on the water, reading conditions, decision-making, or boat control?



https://www.incommandri.com/seamanship-training-what-it-really-means-and-why-it-matters-on-the-water/

06/04/2026

You know that feeling when you are running the boat, but you are not the one in charge on paper?

If you already spend your weekends on Narragansett Bay or off Block Island, you are closer to a captain’s license than you think.

With 360 documented days on the water (including 90 in the last 3 years), you can qualify for an OUPV “6-pack” license and start running paid trips for up to six passengers.

Charter fishing, sunset cruises, lighthouse tours, water taxi work, or supporting marine trades, it all opens up once you carry that card. ⚓

What stands out in this OUPV breakdown is how clear the roadmap is:
you see the sea-time requirements, the Coast Guard forms, the drug test and TWIC, and the exact topics you cover in class, like coastal plotting, Rules of the Road, man-overboard drills, and real docking practice.

You also see how you can start with OUPV, then stack on a Master 100-ton upgrade or towing and sailing endorsements to grow your options over time.

If you are a Rhode Island boater thinking about turning your hours on the water into real income by 2026, how many sea days do you already have logged, and what is holding you back from getting your license? 🚤

https://www.incommandri.com/master-your-maritime-skills-oupv-captains-license/

06/03/2026

You pay to be on the water, not to impress a national club.

If you boat in Rhode Island, you feel this.

You want flexible days on Narragansett Bay, local people who know the fog and the chop, and pricing that actually matches how often you get out.

What you don’t want is a $5,000 initiation fee and $400+ a month just to use a few boats in your own backyard.

That’s why more Rhode Island boaters are shifting to local programs like Wickford Boat Rentals’ Captain’s Club instead of big national memberships.

You pre-pay once, you get 10–20% off every rental, and your balance rolls over if life gets in the way. No “use it or lose it” pressure, no call center in another state, no long-term contract you regret by August.

If you want to bring friends or family who prefer to relax while someone else runs the boat, there’s even an Admiral’s Club option with a crewed Sabre 36 Express and a simple retainer model. You just show up, step aboard, and enjoy the Bay.

As a Rhode Island boater, would you rather have hundreds of boats in other states, or a smart local setup that matches how you really use the water?

Share your take in the comments if you have tried both national clubs and local programs.

Your experience will help other boaters decide how to spend their summer money.

https://www.incommandri.com/why-rhode-island-boaters-are-ditching-the-big-clubs-for-local-perks/

06/03/2026

If you’ve ever priced out a boat club in Rhode Island, you’ve probably felt the sticker shock.

You see “unlimited boating” in the ads.

Then you get to the upfront fees.

Some current offers still start around $2,999 to $4,599 just to join, with higher tiers like $6,999 for friends and family.

That money doesn’t turn into time on the water.

It’s a sunk cost, even if you only boat a few weekends.
The other surprise is availability.

A huge fleet on paper can still mean competing for the same prime Saturdays.

If you’re boating seasonally, the math can get weird fast.

Here’s a better question to ask yourself:

Do you want your boating budget to pay for access, or to pay for actual rentals?

A local option I’ve been watching uses a prepaid retainer that applies to rentals, adds 10 to 20% off each trip, and lets unused balance roll into next season.

No “use it or lose it” pressure.

One more piece that matters, confidence at the helm.
If you’re taking family or friends out, training and refreshers can be worth more than another membership perk.

What’s been your biggest frustration with boat clubs, the upfront cost, booking, or the contract?



https://www.incommandri.com/is-a-boat-club-worth-it-in-rhode-island-a-smarter-alternative-for-local-boaters/

06/03/2026

Picture this: summer evening in Narragansett Bay, flat water, soft light, and you are the one running the launch. 🚤

You are shuttling people out to their moored boats, talking tides with one person and first-time boat nerves with the next.

You are the steady hand when the chop picks up and the wind shifts.

That is the job of a launch tender, and it is a lot more than “just driving the boat.”

You need a U.S. Coast Guard license, a real safety mindset, and the skills to read charts, lights, and traffic in a busy harbor.

Done right, it turns into steady seasonal work at yacht clubs, marinas, camps, and schools, and a strong step toward bigger tickets later.

What caught my eye about this program in Wickford is how focused it is:
2 days, 16 hours, USCG-approved, with topics like Rules of the Road, safe boating, pollution, and close-quarters handling.

Pass the class, meet the sea time and medical requirements, and you are on your way to a Limited Master (launch tender) license that renews every 5 years.

For Rhode Island boaters, this can be:

a first professional credential,

a way to turn “I love being on the water” into paid work,

or a side gig that keeps you on the bay all season instead of stuck on shore.

I am curious how others feel about this path.

If you are a launch driver now, what did you wish you knew before your first day?

If you are a younger boater or college student, would a USCG license change how you think about summer jobs on the water? 🌊

Share your take in the comments, especially if you work at a Rhode Island marina or yacht club and hire launch operators.


https://www.incommandri.com/charting-your-course-embark-on-a-maritime-career-as-a-launch-tender/

06/01/2026

🌊⚓ Ready to get out on the water?

Skip the phone calls and book your boat online in just a few clicks with Wickford Boat Rentals

☀️ Easy online booking
🛥️ Clean, comfortable boats
📍 Perfect for family days, sunset cruises & coastal adventures

Reserve your boat today and make the most of your time on the water!

👉 Book now: Online Reservations
https://book.peek.com/s/b24b81d9-3bb0-44bf-af24-a82b52b40ef9/gVR9P

05/28/2026

💍⚓ Planning a bridal party, family celebration, birthday, or special gathering?

Make it unforgettable with a private charter from Wickford Boat Rentals 🌊

Skip the back-and-forth and book your charter online in minutes!

✨ Perfect for:
👰 Bridal & bachelorette parties
🎉 Family celebrations & birthdays
🥂 Anniversaries & special occasions
☀️ Sunset cruises with friends

Easy online booking. Beautiful coastal views. Memories that last all summer. 🛥️

👉 Reserve your private charter online today:

Book Your Charter Now
https://book.peek.com/s/b24b81d9-3bb0-44bf-af24-a82b52b40ef9/gVR9P

05/26/2026

You see a boat club ad that says “unlimited,” and it sounds like the easy button.

Then you look closer.

The big fees are still there, even when monthly dues are “waived.”
In Rhode Island, that can mean a few thousand dollars up front, and it’s often non-refundable.

That’s the part a lot of people skip.

You can pay that fee, then get busy, lose weekends to weather, or just not go as much as you thought.

And even if you want to go every sunny Saturday, you’re still sharing a fleet.

Prime days fill up fast when everyone has the same idea.

Here’s the comparison that made me pause:

A prepaid local program can work more like a retainer you actually spend on boating time.

You get a straight discount (10 to 20 percent) on each rental.

If you don’t use it all this season, the balance rolls over.

No “use it or lose it” feeling.

Also, if you care about handling skills, some local options tie in real on-the-water training discounts, not just a key fob and a reservation system.

Curious where you land on this:

Would you rather pay a big initiation fee for access, or put that money toward rentals you actually use?



https://www.incommandri.com/is-a-boat-club-worth-it-in-rhode-island-a-smarter-alternative-for-local-boaters/

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 Memorial Day on the Water 🇺🇸

This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. ❤️⚓

There’s no better way to spend the long weekend than out on the water with family and friends. Whether you're cruising the coastline, relaxing in the sun, or making unforgettable memories, Wickford Boat Rentals is here to help you enjoy the holiday weekend safely and stress-free.

☀️ Boat rentals available
🌊 Perfect for family outings & sunset cruises
📍 Conveniently located in Wickford Harbor

Book your Memorial Day adventure today and kick off summer the right way!

Address

1 Phillips Street
North Kingstown, RI
02852

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

+14012950050

Website

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