Terms of Service
Texas Forever Charters · Lake Travis · Austin, Texas
Welcome aboard. By booking a charter with Texas Forever Charters, you (the charter organizer) and every guest in your party agree to the following terms. Please read carefully — these terms govern every charter we operate.
Payment Terms
A non-refundable 10% booking fee is due at the time of reservation to secure your charter date. The remaining balance is due in full no later than 14 days before your charter date. If full payment is not received by the 14-day deadline, you will be contacted by the owners. If payment cannot be collected within 48 hours of that contact, your charter will be cancelled and your booking fee will be forfeited.
Damage Deposit
A $250 damage deposit hold is placed on your card at checkout. This is a pre-authorization only — no funds are withdrawn unless damage occurs during your charter. The hold will be released within 48 hours after your charter if no damage is reported. If damage occurs, the actual cost of repair or replacement will be charged to your card. The $250 minimum applies regardless of damage amount.
Authorization for Payment on File
By completing your booking with Texas Forever Charters, you authorize us to store your payment method on file and to charge it for the following:
- Outstanding balances due on your charter.
- Damage to vessels, equipment, or property (including but not limited to the standard $250 damage deposit and any charges in excess of that amount as determined by Texas Forever Charters).
- No-show fees if you fail to appear for your scheduled charter.
- Optional add-ons or extras authorized by you during or after the charter.
- Any unpaid portion of the mandatory 20% gratuity (see Gratuity section below) if not paid in cash, Zelle, or Venmo to the captain by the end of your charter.
All charges will be reflected on your card statement as "TEXAS FOREVER CHARTERS" and you will receive a receipt by email at the address provided at booking.
You may dispute any charge through your card issuer. Texas Forever Charters reserves the right to provide documentation in support of any charge in such a dispute.
Gratuity
A minimum gratuity of 20% of the charter total is required and is paid directly to your captain on the day of the charter, in cash, Zelle, or Venmo. Gratuity is not included in the charter price and is not collected through this website.
Cancellation Policy
- Booking fee (10%): non-refundable under all circumstances.
- 14+ days before charter: full refund of balance paid.
- 7–13 days before charter: 50% refund of balance paid.
- Less than 7 days before charter: no refund.
For weather-related cancellations and refunds (including pro-rated refunds for mid-charter weather aborts), see the Weather Policy section below.
Weather Policy
Texas Forever Charters decides on the day of your charter whether weather makes the trip unsafe. Captains personally monitor conditions and will not take guests out when conditions are dangerous.
- Light rain does not cancel charters. Lake Travis often stays clear even when downtown Austin is wet due to local wind patterns.
- Storms, lightning, or unsafe wind: the captain has the final call. The captain's decision is final and not subject to dispute.
- If Texas Forever Charters cancels for weather: full refund including the booking fee, OR free reschedule to a date of your choice. The guest selects which option they prefer.
- If a storm cuts your charter short mid-trip: a pro-rated refund is issued for the time lost on the water. The refund is calculated based on the unused portion of the charter duration.
- If you choose to cancel due to weather concerns but Texas Forever Charters is still operating the charter: the standard cancellation policy applies (see Cancellation Policy section above).
Rescheduling
All rescheduling requests must be discussed directly with the owners by calling or texting (737) 368-1669. Rescheduling is subject to availability and owner approval. Requests made 7 or more days before your charter date will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Requests made within 7 days of your charter date require documented proof of emergency (medical emergency, death in family, etc.) and are at the sole discretion of the owners. Texas Forever Charters is not obligated to reschedule any charter, and rescheduling does not guarantee a refund if unavailable dates cannot be agreed upon.
BYOB Policy
Guests may bring their own alcohol. No glass containers are permitted on deck or on the pontoon. Glass is permitted inside the yacht cabin only. The charter organizer must be 21 years of age or older and is legally responsible for ensuring no guest under 21 consumes alcohol on board. Texas Forever Charters reserves the right to terminate the charter without refund if this policy is violated.
Smoking Policy
Smoking anything that produces ash is not permitted on any vessel at any time. Vaping is permitted on deck. Smoking is permitted in the water or on float mats while anchored.
Capacity
Maximum capacity is strictly enforced — 20 guests on the yacht, 13 guests on the pontoon. Children under 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket while on deck unless inside the cabin.
Damage Policy
Guests are responsible for the full cost of any damage to the vessel, equipment, or third-party property caused by the charter group. A minimum $250 fee applies. The $250 damage deposit on file will be captured and additional charges applied as needed to cover actual repair or replacement costs.
Liability
Participation in water activities involves inherent risks. By booking a charter, all guests acknowledge and accept these risks. Texas Forever Charters, its owners, captains, and crew are not liable for injury, illness, loss of personal property, or death during the charter. All guests must sign the liability waiver before boarding.
Charter Termination
Texas Forever Charters reserves the right to terminate any charter without refund for guest misconduct, policy violations, unsafe behavior, or weather/water conditions deemed dangerous by the captain. The captain's decision is final.
No Lifeguard
Texas Forever Charters does not provide lifeguard services. Swimming and water activities are at each guest's own risk.
Volente Beach Waterpark Access
Complimentary access to Volente Beach Waterpark & Resort is provided to all Texas Forever Charters customers before and after their charter. Volente Beach Waterpark & Resort is operated independently. All activities, food/beverage service, and amenities at the waterpark are subject to Volente Beach's own terms, conditions, and waivers, which guests will be asked to sign upon entry. Texas Forever Charters is not responsible for any incidents, injuries, property loss, or service issues occurring at Volente Beach Waterpark & Resort outside of the boarding and disembarkation areas used for charter pickup and drop-off.
Fees & Charges
Your charter total includes the following fees, all of which are clearly itemized at checkout:
- 5% Admin Fee — covers vessel preparation, cleaning, fuel, and operational costs.
- 8.5% Texas Sales Tax — required by state law.
- 2.9% Credit Card Processing Fee — passed through from our payment processor.
In the event of a refund (per the Cancellation Policy above), the 5% Admin Fee and 8.5% Sales Tax are refundable in proportion to the refund amount. The 2.9% Credit Card Processing Fee may or may not be refunded depending on the payment processor's policy at the time of refund.
Governing Law
This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Disputes will be resolved in Travis County, Texas.
