Calculator
Find your boat.
Group size in, three matching boats out.
Boat Size Calculator
Find your boat in seconds.
Tell us how big your group is and the duration you would like to charter. We will show you three boats we would recommend.
Picking the right size boat is the single most important choice you will make when booking a charter. Too small and your day is cramped. Too big and you are paying for space you never use. This tool gives you a real answer in about 30 seconds.
We built this calculator based on the questions we get every week. Not from a marketing team. From actual guests trying to figure out what fits.
How To Use It
Enter three things.
1. Number of adults in your group 2. Number of kids (under 12) 3. Type of day (cruising, sandbar, fishing, event, sunset)
The calculator returns two or three boat sizes that fit, with a note on the difference between legal and comfortable capacity. It also tells you which fleet category to look at.
USCG Group Size Rules
Before you use the tool, here is the short version of the law.
The Six Pack Rule
Most private charter boats in the Hamptons operate under a rule called the six pack. This means a boat can only legally carry six paying passengers, no matter how many the boat could physically hold. This rule exists to keep smaller boats safer.
Almost every day charter you see out here, from a 30 foot center console to a 55 foot sport yacht, is a six pack boat. That is not a scam. It is the law.
T Boat Inspected Vessels
To carry more than six passengers legally, a boat has to pass a much more detailed Coast Guard inspection called T boat certification. These boats have extra life saving gear, licensed crew above and beyond the captain, and stricter maintenance schedules. They cost more to run, so charter prices are higher.
Our 122 foot event yacht is T boat inspected and can legally carry up to 85 guests. We have a couple of mid sized T boats as well for groups in the 15 to 40 range.
Kids Under 12
Kids under 12 typically do not count against the six pack limit. So a six pack boat can often carry six adults plus a few kids. Rules vary, so always confirm with us when you book.
Comfort Capacity vs Legal Capacity
Here is the part most first time renters miss.
Example
A 42 foot sport yacht might be legally rated for 12 guests. That number is real. But if you actually put 12 adults on that boat with coolers, bags, and towels, it feels packed. The comfort number on that same boat is closer to 8.
We always tell you both when we quote. Legal first, then comfort. Then we let you decide.
What Each Boat Size Feels Like
Here is how the sizes break down in real life.
6 Guests (Intimate)
A small day boat or a smaller sport yacht. Feels like a private trip with just your close crew. Great for a couple's outing, a small family, or four friends. Plenty of room to spread out. Total budget is usually the lowest.
8 To 10 Guests (Balanced)
Mid size sport yacht. Still feels private and cozy but has room for the bigger friend group or a full family with kids. This is the size we book most for full day charters. Sweet spot for value.
12 Guests (Full)
The max on a six pack boat, and often the max comfort on a bigger boat. Feels like a full charter. Fun energy, still manageable, still private. Great for birthdays and bachelorette groups.
15 To 20 Guests (Event Territory)
Now you are on a T boat inspected vessel. More formal. Real crew. Real service. Often catered. This is where corporate outings and small weddings live.
30 To 50 Guests (Big Event)
Larger event yacht. Two or three deck levels. Bar service. DJ setup optional. Great for weddings, milestone parties, and big corporate days.
50 To 85 Guests (Full Flagship)
Our 122 foot flagship. Full crew, multiple bars, seated dinner option, dance floor, and a real stage for a band or DJ. This is the top of the fleet.
Common Mistakes People Make
We see the same three mistakes over and over.
Mistake 1: Booking Too Small To Save Money
People often try to squeeze 8 adults onto a boat rated for 8 to save on cost. It usually backfires. You get to the sandbar, everyone wants to spread out, and the day feels tight. Pay a little more for the next size up. You will thank yourself.
Mistake 2: Booking Too Big Because The Boat Looks Cool
The 70 foot yacht on the website looks amazing. But if you have six guests, you are paying a lot for empty deck. A smaller boat with the same crew often gives you a better day.
Mistake 3: Forgetting About Kids
Kids take space. They also need shade, snacks, and a bathroom. If you have three or more kids under 10 in your group, always jump up one size class from what your adult count would suggest.
Not Sure? Take The Quiz
If the calculator gives you a range and you want a real recommendation, take our two minute charter quiz. It asks a few more questions and gives you a specific boat match. Or just email us with your group size and wee will send you a personal recommendation within the hour.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the calculator?+
Very accurate for capacity. It uses real USCG rules and real specs from our fleet. It gives you a size range. To pick a specific boat, we still recommend the [link to /quiz] quiz or a quick text with us.
Can I book a 6 pack boat for 7 guests if one of us is a kid?+
Yes, usually. Kids under 12 typically do not count against the six pack limit. But confirm the exact rule with us when you book because it can depend on the boat.
Why is comfort capacity lower than legal capacity?+
Because sitting elbow to elbow for six hours is not fun even if it is legal. Comfort capacity is the number we think will give you the best day. Legal capacity is the maximum allowed.
What if I have a mixed group of adults and kids?+
Enter both numbers into the calculator. It weighs kids at about half an adult for space purposes, which lines up with what we see in real life.
Does the calculator include add ons like watersports?+
No. If you plan to bring Seabobs, jet skis, or lots of watersports gear, you will want the next size up from what the calculator suggests. Email us and we will factor it in.