OTTAWA YACHT

PRIVATE CHARTERS & PUBLIC TOURS

FAQ

OTTAWA YACHT

PRIVATE CHARTERS
& PUBLIC TOURS

FAQ

GENERAL

GENERAL

→ When do tours operate?

Tours start May 15, 2024.

Tours end October 13, 2024

→ What tours are offered?

PRIVATE CHARTER  • CELEBRATE ANY EVENT  

Rent an entire yacht or both yachts for your group
12 passengers/yacht (24 passengers max)
Between 11 AM and 11 PM
1.5 hrs, 2 hrs, or 2.5 hrs

FIREWORKS NIGHTS (3 hours)

Canada Day Fireworks

Saturday, July 1
Depart at 8 PM

France's Bastille Day Fireworks

Sunday, July 14
Depart at 8 PM

Casino Lac Leamy Fireworks 

Depart at 7:30 PM

  1. Wednesday, July 31
  2. Saturday, August 3
  3. Wednesday, August 7
  4. Saturday, August 10
  5. Wednesday, August 14
  6. Saturday, August 17

DINE & YACHT ADVENTURE

Wednesday to Sunday
Dine in restaurant, then cruise on yacht
2.5 hrs, or 3 hrs itineraries
Lunch starts at 11 AM
Dinner starts at 5 PM
Min 4 passengers
Max 48 passengers

SAIL & SAVOR ADVENTURE

Wednesday to Sunday
Dine and cruise on yacht
2.5 hrs, or 3 hrs itineraries
Lunch starts at 11 AM
Dinner starts at 5 PM
Min 4 passengers
Max 24 passengers

AFTERNOON OR SUNSET CRUISES

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

Afternoon Cruise (1.5 hours)
Depart at 2 PM, and 4 PM.

Sunset Cruise (2 hours)
Depart at 8 PM (before July 17)
Depart at 7:30 PM (on or after July 18)

→ How many yachts are there?

Ottawa Yacht Tours has two yachts.

Each yacht is commercially registered, insured, and licensed. Each yacht sells alcohol, and comes with a Transport Canada certified crew (Captain, and First Mate for service), and all the comforts of a world-class yacht, including a phenomenal sound system and massive cockpits and sundecks to lounge and entertain.

DOLCE Yacht
38'L by 12'W, can comfortably accommodate 12 passengers.

Recommended for groups of 6-10, and/or for those who want a more intimate, and chic ambiance.

EVERLY Yacht
42'L by 14'W, and can easily accommodate 12 passengers.

Recommended for groups of 10-12, and for those who need more space, and/or want to dance and party.

→ Can I book both yachts?

Yes, absolutely!  We offer Private Charters just for that. Click BOOK NOW, or call or text 343-550-0175, and discover the absolute joy of your group sharing an experience like no other.

→ Where do cruises start / end?

Yachts depart from and return to the docks at the Pirate Marina • 1067 Jacques Cartier Street, Gatineau, Quebec. About 6km or 8-minutes from downtown Ottawa-Gatineau.

→ Where do cruises take place?

All tours take place on the Ottawa River (also called la rivière des Outaouais, pour les francophone).

→ How long is a cruise?

Private Charter 1.5, 2, or 2.5 hours (you choose)

Fireworks Night 3 hours

Dine & Yacht Adventure 2.5 or 3 hours (you choose)

Sail & Savor Adventure 2.5 or 3 hours (you choose)

Afternoon Cruise 1.5 hours

Sunset Cruise 2 hours

→ How many passengers?

Each yacht can hold a maximum 12 passengers.

If you rent one (or both) yacht(s) for a private event, only you and your group will be onboard the yacht(s).

If you do not rent one (or both) yacht(s) for a private event, we sell up to 12 tickets per yacht.

→ What is and is not included?

Everything is always included with the following exceptions:

Private Charter • extra: drinks, food, taxes, gratuity

Fireworks Night• extra: drinks, food, taxes, gratuity

Dine & Yacht Adventure • extra: drinks, taxes, gratuity

Sail & Savor Adventure • extra: drinks, taxes, gratuity

Afternoon Cruise • extra: drinks, food, taxes, gratuity

Sunset Cruise• extra: drinks, food, taxes, gratuity

→ What about food?

You may not bring any of your own food on our yacht(s).

We have an exclusive menu designed by the French Executive Chef of the Pirate Restaurant across the street from our marina. Food is prepared fresh, daily.

Order at least 24 hours ahead.

We'll have the food ready on board, and ready to serve after the cruise starts.

We reserve the right to charge an excessive-cleanup service fee.

→ Dietary Needs?

Yes, of course.

Please advise when ordering food of any dietary need, of any food intolerance, or of any food allergy.

→ What about drinks?

You may not bring any beverage on board.

Each yacht has a permit to sell alcohol. We sell 3 local craft beers, 3 pre-mixed top-shelf canned coolers, 2 white wines, and Prosecco. We do not sell hard liquor or red wine.

We also sell a selection of sober drinks.

We champion responsible drinking.

→ Kitchen?

Yes, each yacht is equipped with a full kitchen, and only accessible to our crew. 

→ Washroom?

Our yachts are called cabin cruisers, meaning they have a complete inside cabin, which includes a clean, private and fully functional washroom. You're all good to go!

It's considered proper yachting etiquette to find and use a washroom on land before boarding, rather than using the washroom shortly after boarding. Our yachts are not equipped with large waste water holding tanks.

→ Life jackets?

Each yacht has 15 life jackets of varying sizes.

You will be shown where they are and how to put one on during the safety briefing before your tour starts.

Crew will hand you one immediately if an emergency arises.

→ Smoking?

Smoking is strictly prohibited on the marina docks, and anywhere near or on our yacht. 

There are 1000's of liters of fuel on boats at a marina.

We are commercially registered with Transport Canada , and Transport Canada regulations prohibit smoking on our yachts.

→ Vaping?

We are commercially registered with Transport Canada , and Transport Canada regulations prohibit vaping on our yachts.

→ Parking?

There is a massive, free, public parking lot nearby.

Click here to see  the map. This parking lot may be full during the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival (Festivale des Montgolfières de Gatineau).

→ Bad weather?

If you purchase trip protection (10% of the ticket price)

You get a full refund (less the cost of trip protection and booking fee).  

If you did not purchase trip protection, and you cancel

No refund. We'll give you credit for another date (same year).

If you did not purchase trip protection, and we cancel

We'll offer to reschedule or to give you a credit for another date or provide a refund.

→ Safety briefing?

Yes, we'll provide you and all passengers with a thorough safety briefing that covers such things as the boat's safety features, detection systems for smoke or fire or heat, alarm systems, what to do in case of emergency or for a person overboard, the location of fire extinguishers or life vests or the first aid kit or the defibrillator or epi-pens (child or adult).

→ Any restrictions?

You may not bring any food or beverage on board.

You may not board if intoxicated.

You may not if you are an expectant mother.

Crew has full discretion to restrict access to any person.

→ Universal Access?

The marina is not universally accessible, there are steps from the street sidewalk down to the marina docks.

Yachts are not universally accessible, there is a door at the back of each yacht that must be stepped over to board the yacht.

Crew are trained to assist anyone who requires assistance to board and disembark a yacht with dignity.

 

→ Babies or toddlers?

We have a limited number of life vests for toddlers and children. Please call  us before booking if you'd like to bring any newborn, toddler, or child.

TICKETING & RESERVATION

TICKETING & RESERVATION

→ Booking a tour?

→ Check In?

Every adult must complete the digital Check In before arriving at the marina (government-issued photo ID is required. 

Safety regulations require someone on land to have the name, ID, and emergency contact for each passenger on a yacht before leaving the marina.

→ Paying onboard?

Online: credit or debit card, eTransfer.

Yacht: credit or debit card (we use Square), cash, or eTransfer.

eTransfers to payment@ottawayacht.ca.

→ How to pay?

50% deposit is required to reserve.

50% balance is due prior to departure.

If paying deposit or payment by eTransfer: payment@ottawayacht.ca.

If you booked directly through TripAdvisor, Expedia, GetYourGuide,  Manawa, or Experience Outaouais, your payment should already be made on their platform — we are paid after the cruise is completed.

→ Gratuities?

Gratuities are customary on yachts — a hospitality industry, and should be regarded as a thank you for a job well done, based on the satisfaction level of your entire experience. 

→ How to pay gratuity?

With cash. 
With Square using this QR Code at any time.
With Square when paying for your drinks and/or food at the end of your cruise.
By eTransfer to gratuity@ottawayacht.ca

→ Fully booked?

Yes, our yachts can only hold 12 passengers each and we only have public tours on Thursday and Friday afternoons or for sunsets. 

We send a text message to anyone who subscribers to our last-minute deals and seat sales. Text us at +1-343-550-0175 if you'd like to subscribe. You can opt out any time.

→ Reservations required?

Yes, especially for Fireworks Nights, these are very popular and sell out early.

We welcome last-minute walk-ons, when space is still available on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday afternoon or sunset cruises.

We post last-minute seat availabilities on our Instagram profile, @OttawaYacht — follow us to receive notifications.

We also send last-minute deals by text to our subscribers. Click here if you'd like to subscribe.

→ When to reserve?

As early as possible.

The perfect-weather season is only about 2 months (July and August), factoring in the cooler June and September. 

Fireworks tours sell out early.

→ Showing up randomly?

Yes, but call or text first to confirm the tour is happening and that there is still space on the yacht.  Call or text 1-343-550-0175.

→ When to arrive?

15-20 minutes. Please wait on the sidewalk next to the marina. Our Tours Coordinator will great you and confirm that you checked in. The First Mate will open the marina gate when the yacht is ready to be boarded, escort you along the docks, and help you board the yacht.

→ Late?

When a tour is booked by a combination of different guests, to respect those guests who arrive on time, and because other time-related factors often apply (e.g. the time of sunset, start of fireworks, or a subsequent tour), the yacht will depart on time according to schedule, unless the tour is booked exclusively by your group and the group is late.

→ Canceling or no-show?

If you purchases trip protection and you cancel 24 hours of more in advance

Full refund for any reason (less the cost of trip protection and booking fee).  

If you did not purchase trip protection and you cancel

  • more than 3 days before your tour: full refund.
  • from 2 to 3 days before your tour: 100% credit (to use same year).
  • less than 2 days before your tour: no refund or credit.

If you are late or don't show up and the yacht left without you 

No refund or credit.

If we cancel

Reschedule, credit, full refund.

 

YACHTS

YACHTS

→ Builder?

Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Sea Ray is the world’s leading creator of superior quality pleasure boats. For more than 60 years, Sea Ray has pushed the limits of performance and craftsmanship to elevate the boating experience. Each Sea Ray is designed to make every moment exceptional, supporting boaters’ unique lifestyles with a customized balance of unparalleled comfort and performance and world-class technology throughout. Learn more about the Sea Ray Experience at SeaRay.com.

→ Type?

The yachts fall in the class of cabin cruiser, a type of power boat that is equipped with a head (toilet), a galley (kitchen), and at least one berth (sleeping area), all inside the structure of the vessel.  Our cruisers are equipped with heating, air conditioning, water heaters, and shore power electric systems. The 390 Sundancer is also equipped with a gasoline-run power generator.

Cabin cruisers are able to handle the water well because of their size and they give a stable ride. They are generally spacious in the cockpit (open seating area towards aft or centre).

→ Model?

Dolce Far Niente is a SeaRay Sundancer 310 Cabin Cruiser; it is 38' long x 12' wide, and has a dry weight of 10,000 lbs..

The Everly is a SeaRay Sundancer 390 Cabin Cruiser; 42' long x 14' wide, and has a dry weight of 18,400 lbs.

→ Age?

Dolce far niente was built in 1990.

The Everly was built in 1988.

→ Speed?

Our yachts are cabin cruisers, which means we cruise. In the boating world, this means we go slow, like 5km / hr slow.

Dolce far niente, with a dry weight of 10,000 lbs., and only when crew is on board, has enough power to can get out of the water (plane — see below) and reach a speed of about 70 km/hr.

The Everly, with a dry weight of 18,600 lbs., and only when crew is on board, is too big and heavy to get out of the water (plane — see below) so speed at about about 45 km/hr.

Planing is the mode of operation for a boat in which the boat is lifted out of the water as it speeds along; its weight is predominantly supported by hydrodynamic lift, created by the speed, so it skims along the top of water, rather than hydrostatic lift (buoyancy), where at standstill or low speed it floats deeper in the water rather than on the surface.

→ Fuel?

Each yacht runs on regular unleaded fuel.

Dolce far niente has a fuel capacity of 681 litres.

The Everly has a fuel capacity of 1,514 litres.

→ Drinking water?

Each yacht has a clean water holding tank.

Dolce far niente has a water capacity of 151.4 litres.

The Everly has a water capacity of 378.5 litres.

Water is city water, but not ideally drinkable.

We sell bottled water.