Cancellation and weather policies
Every captain picks one of three standard policies. Same words, same rules, every boat. You see it on the card, the trip page and again before you pay.
Draft price Draft policy text, to be reviewed before launch.
Full deposit back up to 48 hours before the trip.
- Cancel 48 hours or more before the trip: full deposit back.
- Cancel inside 48 hours: deposit is kept by the captain.
- Weather: captain's call rule.
Good fit: Inshore, family and short trips that are easy to refill.
Full deposit back 7 or more days out, half back 3 to 6 days out.
- Cancel 7 days or more before the trip: full deposit back.
- Cancel 3 to 6 days before: half the deposit back.
- Cancel inside 3 days: deposit is kept by the captain.
- Weather: captain's call rule.
Good fit: Most half day and full day offshore trips.
Full deposit back 14 or more days out. Free reschedule once, 7 or more days out.
- Cancel 14 days or more before the trip: full deposit back.
- Inside 14 days: deposit is kept, but you can move the date once if you ask 7 or more days out.
- Weather: captain's call rule.
Good fit: Peak season, long runs and tournament style trips that are hard to refill.
Captain's call weather rule
Every TideBook trip uses this rule, whatever cancellation policy the captain picks.
- The captain makes the safety call on the morning of the trip, or the night before for early starts.
- If the captain cancels for weather or safety, you pick a new date or get your full deposit back. Your choice.
- If the captain says the trip is safe and you choose not to go, your captain's cancellation policy applies.
- If a trip is cut short for weather after leaving the dock, the captain sets the balance owed and must say so before you leave.
How the money works
| Total price | The whole trip price, set by the captain, shown on every card. Whole boat, not per person, unless the listing says shared. |
| Deposit today | Paid straight to the captain's own Stripe account when you book or when the captain accepts your request. |
| Balance on the dock | Paid to the captain on the trip day, cash or card. |
| Booking fee | $0. Guests never pay TideBook anything. |
Instant book or request to book
Instant book trips are confirmed the moment you pay the deposit. Request to book trips go to the captain first. The captain has 24 hours to accept. Your card is held, not charged, until then. If the captain does not answer, the hold is released.
How badges are earned
Badges follow public rules. Paying more never buys a badge or a higher spot.
| Badge | Rule |
|---|---|
| USCG licensed | We checked the captain's USCG credential on the federal lookup. |
| FWC charter license | We checked a current Florida saltwater charter license. |
| Insured | Certificate of insurance on file, with the expiry date tracked. |
| ID verified | Photo ID matches the license holder. |
| Reliable Captain | Replies to 90% of requests within 24 hours, under 2% captain cancellations, at least 10 trips in 12 months. Draft price |
| Ambassador | Brought 3 captains who each got a first booking. See referrals. |
Reviews: only from guests who booked and finished a trip. Every review shows. A captain no show is noted on the profile.
Policy questions
Which policy does my captain use?
It is on every trip card, on the trip page and again on the booking screen, right before you pay.
What happens to my deposit if the captain cancels?
You choose: a new date, or your full deposit back. That is true on every policy.
Can a captain write a custom policy?
No. Captains pick from this menu so every guest knows exactly what the words mean.