What does the limit actually mean?
Up to 12 people per boat, counting everyone aboard: adults, teenagers, children, and babies in carriers. It is a hard limit, and it is the same on every boat in the fleet, because all 22 of our boats are the same 21-foot Duffy.
Peek, our booking system, books by the boat, so every booking shows “1 adult.” That is normal. What matters is how many boats you book, and that no boat carries more than 12.
What does a boat for twelve look like inside?
The cabin is a covered space with cushioned benches around the sides and a table in the middle, enclosed by a roof and clear side panels that go up or down. Twelve adults fit around it, seated, with the table for the food. One of the twelve is your driver, at the wheel.
With twelve aboard, the boat is full and sociable: everyone can talk to everyone, and the food is within reach. It is not a boat for walking around. If your group pictures standing, dancing or spreading out, plan on fewer people per boat.
What fits alongside twelve people?
Room is shared between people and gear, so pack for the boat, not the car:
- Coolers: one or two medium coolers travel better than one giant one. Ice is $7 a bag in the boat shop if you would rather not carry it in.
- Food: platters and boxes that sit on the table work well. A cake fits; a three-tier cake is a risk.
- Bags: a small bag each, not a beach day’s worth. Leave the folding chairs in the car.
- Dogs: welcome, with their own life vest. A big dog takes up a seat’s worth of floor, so plan around it.
- Strollers and car seats: a baby in a carrier counts as one of the twelve. Ask us about anything bulky before the day.
The rules and packing list covers the rest.
When should a group of ten to fourteen book two boats?
Thirteen or more people need at least two boats; that part is simple. The judgment call is ten to twelve. Consider two boats if:
- You are bringing a lot of food and gear. A full boat with full coolers is tight.
- There are several small children. They count toward the twelve, and they like room to move.
- The group is really two groups. Two families, or two sets of friends, may enjoy their own boats more, cruising together.
- You want two drivers. Each boat has its own driver who is 21 or older, so two boats means more people get a turn at the wheel.
Stick with one boat if the point is to be together in one space, with everyone in the same conversation.
What does the math look like?
You pay per boat, not per person:
- 12 people, 1 boat, 2 hours: $250, about $20.83 each.
- 12 people, 1 boat, 1 hour: $125, about $10.42 each.
- 13 people, 2 boats, 2 hours: two boats at $250 each.
The planner on our pricing page does it for any head count.
How do two boats work on the day?
Book both boats for the same start time, and arrive together 30 minutes early. Each boat gets its own launch from the Dock Master, its own tutorial and its own map, and each needs a driver who is 21 or older. Out on the bay, the boats can cruise side by side; at 5 mph, staying together is easy. For larger groups across several boats, team outings has more ideas.
Do kids change the picture?
Yes. Every child under 12 wears a life vest for the whole trip, which the front office provides, and every child counts toward the twelve. A group of eight adults and four small children is a full boat. See birthday cruises for planning around kids.
How do you seat twelve?
Seat the driver first, at the wheel, with a clear view ahead. Put small children next to an adult, away from the open sides, and keep the coolers where nobody has to climb over them. The table in the middle is for food, not feet. If someone is likely to get chilly, give them a spot away from the open windows, and if someone gets restless, give them the job of spotting sea lions.
What changes in winter?
Coats and blankets take up room. A group of twelve in winter layers fills the cabin more than twelve in T-shirts, so a group of ten or eleven in December may feel as full as twelve does in July. The cabin is enclosed and the windows stay down to keep the warmth in, which makes winter trips comfortable; just pack a little lighter on everything else.
What is the takeaway?
Twelve is the most a boat can carry, not the number every boat needs. Book for comfort as well as capacity, and if you are unsure, call (562) 598-2628 and describe your group. For everything else, see the complete guide to renting a Duffy in Long Beach and our prices.
