# How to book a boat

> There are three ways to create a booking through our website      Instant Book       Some boats are able to be booked instantly meaning they have the    Inst

Source: https://support.boatsetter.com/en_us/how-to-book-a-boat-SJOW81i2o

Last updated: 2025-11-06T20:21:46.645Z

There are three ways to pay for a booking on Boatsetter.

## **Instant Book**

Some vessels can be booked instantly (meaning they have the “[Instant Book](https://support.boatsetter.com/en_us/instant-book-SysfLko2j)” feature turned on). To pay for an instant booking, navigate to the listing of your choice and click the “Instant Book” button. From there, you will be prompted to enter your trip details and can view the terms and policies for that vessel. After you click “Instant Book,” you will be taken to the checkout screen where you will enter payment information and finalize your booking.

![](https://cdn.kustomerhostedcontent.com/media/63b5c8a85a141f76a9688e43/2dda7dcd47bfef91765138d73dbb771f.png)For vessels with Instant Book enabled, you will see a button labeled “Instant Book” in the message thread. 

## **Request to Book**

If the listing does not have "Instant Book" enabled, you will click the “Request to Book” button. You will be prompted to enter your trip details and can view the terms and policies for that vessel. After you click “Request to Book,” you will be taken to the checkout screen where you will enter payment information and agree to our Terms of Service.

Then the booking will move into the “[Pending](https://support.boatsetter.com/hc/en-us/articles/4412294373645-Booking-states)” state, where the owner has 72 hours to approve or decline the request. If the request is approved within 72 hours, payment will automatically be charged and the booking will be confirmed. If not approved within 72 hours, the request will expire and you will need to submit a new booking request.![](https://cdn.kustomerhostedcontent.com/media/63b5c8a85a141f76a9688e43/886c02ca0233785560b0a64aaf911a90.png)

## **Messaging an owner**

If you [message an owner](https://support.boatsetter.com/en_us/messaging-an-owner-HJLWLkons), you will be prompted to fill out details regarding your inquiry. In addition, you will be asked to include a message with information about your desired booking. The owner will then have to "pre-approve" your request.

To pay for your [pre-approved](https://support.boatsetter.com/en_us/pre-approval-rkwZLkihj) request, navigate to your messages and open the conversation related to your booking. From the conversation, you can click “Book now” or "Instant Book" on the right-hand side and continue to checkout. Once you have confirmed your payment, the booking will be automatically approved. If the owner does not pre-approve your inquiry, or if you do not finalize your pre-approved request, it will automatically expire when the rental date has passed.

## **Booking state process**

*   Instant Book → **APPROVED**
*   Request to Book → **PENDING** → Owner approves or declines → **APPROVED / DECLINED**
*   Message Owner → **INQUIRY** → Owner pre-approves the renter → **PRE-APPROVED** → Renter enters payment information and finalizes booking → **APPROVED**
*   Message Owner → **EXPIRED** if no action is taken before the start date