The story of Fun and More Rentals started with a beach cruiser and a hand-lettered plastic sign I zip-tied to the frame. No shirt, no shoes, no paperwork, just pure entrepreneurial spirit from day one. The Anna Maria Island vacation gear rental company that followed started right there on the curb.
The first rental went to a neighbor for just $40. The only instruction given was simple: leave it outside when you're done. That chrome cruiser would eventually generate close to $2,000 in rental income before its well-earned retirement. Not a bad return for a cheap bike I bought before I even moved here.
Fun and More Rentals started with a single chrome beach bike and three rules: be honest, work hard, and do the right thing. Free delivery to vacation rental homes became a standard the entire island eventually followed. Twenty-five years later, the philosophy, the delivery model, and the in-person welcome have never changed.
What a Chrome Bike Has to Do With a Rental Business
Every business has that special origin object, the humble starting point worth remembering. It might be the first dollar taped proudly to the wall or the trusty garage workbench where it all began. Some point to the beat-up truck that got things rolling early on. For Fun and More Rentals, it's that chrome beach cruiser with the zip-tied sign.
The company wasn't really built by one umbrella or one bike alone. It was built by dedicated people and a genuine, guiding philosophy. Be honest, work hard, and do the right thing every time. Those three simple principles cost absolutely nothing to hold onto. They run through every single department, shaping the whole company culture.
That same guidance has been passed down to every new team member. From the earliest hires to the newest faces joining the delivery route today. It's a simple foundation that has genuinely stood the test of time.
Free Delivery Became the Island Standard for Vacation Gear
When that chrome bike started generating calls, the business was little more than a flyer tucked into welcome bags at a local vacation rental office. Guests picked up their welcome packets and found a helpful restaurant guide inside. There were also some handy dish soap samples tucked in alongside it. And a flyer with a simple pitch: rent a bike, and we'll bring it right to you.
That last part turned out to matter more than anyone expected.
At the time, nobody in the vacation rental space on AMI offered door-to-door delivery yet. Guests typically rented gear and had to drive to pick it up themselves. Fun and More Rentals saw that friction as a real opportunity.
If a family stays at the south end of Anna Maria Island, a few miles from the shop, they deserve a smoother start. Their first morning of vacation should feel relaxing, not like running errands. It also meant guests could choose the rental company with the best service, not just the one with the closest shop.
The model was straightforward from the very beginning, and that simplicity worked. Simply order what you need and stay comfortably at your rental home. From there, everything arrives right at your door.
Guests responded immediately, embracing the convenience from the start. Other companies on the island eventually followed suit, recognizing a great idea.
What began with a humble chrome bike and a zip-tied sign grew into something bigger. It helped establish the delivery-first standard that defines Anna Maria Island vacation gear rentals today.
Read our post about the value of having the golf cart waiting when you arrive to learn more. It covers how convenient delivery is for customers and touches on the delivery process.
Every Role Matters to the Guest Experience
The business grew steadily and gradually, which is a great way to build something lasting. There was no single inflection point that changed everything overnight. It built year by year through consistent, reliable service to the community.
The crew at Fun and More Rentals operates across roughly six departments, working together seamlessly. Each department's work depends directly on the one before it. A thoroughly cleaned golf cart sets the driver up for a confident delivery. A safely delivered cart then sets up a warm welcome conversation with the guest.
Fun and More Rentals has spent 25 wonderful years building a trusted reputation. We've become one of Anna Maria Island's most recognized vacation gear rental operations. This success shows in our impressive 4.7-star rating across hundreds of Google reviews. Their Best Price Guarantee reflects a genuine commitment to value and reliability.
"We have, let's say, six departments, and if you're just cleaning a golf cart and you do a great job cleaning your golf cart, it's very important to me. And I want it to be very important to them, because that then goes to the driver who delivers the golf cart. And then that goes to the welcome person who talks to the guest when they get the golf cart and gives them information. Every single person, from my office to the girls that set up the orders to the dispatcher who coordinates the delivery, every piece is a domino effect. We would not be successful if every role wasn't taken seriously. I clean golf carts. I deliver cribs. I fill up golf carts with gas. I own the company. Every role is as important as the next." – Duane Gartman, Owner, Fun And More Rentals
Thinking about reserving a cart for your family? Contact Fun And More Rentals before your trip, and everything will be waiting when you arrive.
The Personal Touch That Never Changed
A lot has evolved since that very first chrome bike rental 25 years ago. The fleet has grown substantially over the years, offering even more variety. Operations have expanded to meet increasing demand across the island. Automation options have multiplied too, making things even more convenient for guests. Other companies now offer delivery because Fun and More set that expectation island-wide.
But we've kept one key practice the same through all these years. It's the personal touch we put into every delivery.
When a golf cart arrives at your rental home on Anna Maria Island, expect a warm welcome. A real person shows up with your gear, ready to greet you personally. They'll say welcome and ask if you've visited the island before. They'll walk you through the rules and point you toward the best beach access. If you have any questions about the gear or the island, they'll be ready to answer them.
We aren't leaving the gear out front and pointing you to a YouTube video and a lockbox code. It's a person who knows the island and wants your week to go well.
Common Questions About Anna Maria Island Vacation Equipment Rentals
What philosophy has guided Fun and More Rentals since the beginning?
Three simple rules have guided this business since day one: be honest, work hard, and do the right thing. These rules were never written into some formal handbook or manual. To us, it's just the obvious way to run a better rental business. That same guidance still shapes how every single order gets fulfilled today. It also shapes how every guest is warmly greeted upon arrival.
How did Fun and More Rentals first reach vacation guests on Anna Maria Island?
The earliest marketing was a simple flyer placed inside welcome bags. It was tucked into local vacation rental offices' arrival packets. Guests found a friendly pitch for bike rentals, with free delivery included. That early channel helped establish the first customer relationships. Over time, it shaped how Fun and More partners with vacation rentals today. This approach now strengthens connections with properties across the entire island. We touched on this in our post about vacation rental partnerships on AMI.
What does Florida law say about who can drive a street-legal golf cart on public roads?
Under Florida Statute 316.212, a golf cart may only be operated on public roads by a licensed driver. Fun and More Rentals requires renters to be at least 25 years old, hold a valid driver's license, and carry active personal auto insurance. These are the same general requirements that apply to operating any low-speed vehicle on Anna Maria Island's public streets.
Are car seats provided for young children in golf cart rentals?
Fun and More Rentals includes one free car seat per cart. Children six and under are required to use a safety seat when riding in a street-legal golf cart on Anna Maria Island roads. Florida applies the same child restraint laws to golf carts as it does to standard passenger vehicles. Learn more in our post about safety seat rules for golf carts.
What sizes of golf carts does Fun and More Rentals offer?
There's a configuration for every group, with four-, six-, and eight-passenger options available. Both gas and electric options exist, with daily, three-day, and weekly rental periods. Gas carts have longer range across a full week of island use. Electric carts work well for shorter stays and lighter use, though they require overnight charging and a longer recharge window if the battery runs low.
How early should a family book a golf cart for peak season on Anna Maria Island?
Golf carts are the first rental item to sell out every season. For summer visits and holiday weeks, booking three to six months out is a practical target. The available inventory goes fast in the weeks leading up to those high-demand dates.
What is the difference between a gas and electric golf cart for a week-long AMI vacation?
Gas carts cover more ground per fill-up and are generally better suited to families who plan to use the cart heavily throughout the day. Electric carts are quieter and convenient for shorter outings, but recharge time can be a factor. Fun and More Rentals walks guests through the practical differences at booking so the right cart shows up on delivery day. Read our post comparing gas and electric golf carts to learn more.
The Philosophy That Started With a Bike Still Runs the Business
Twenty-five years ago, a chrome beach cruiser and a zip-tied sign turned into something nobody planned. Three rules, a delivery model nobody else was offering, and a belief that every role in the operation matters the same as every other. That's how it all started.
Connect with Fun and More Rentals before your next trip to Anna Maria Island. Discover what a delivery-first, family-focused rental experience genuinely feels like from the start. That great feeling begins the moment you pull into the driveway.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Duane Gartman is the owner of Fun And More Rentals, the largest vacation equipment rental company on Anna Maria Island. With over 20 years in business, Duane started with just two bicycles and built a fleet that now serves thousands of families each year. Fun and More Rentals is well known for its free delivery and pickup service. Its Best Price Guarantee adds even more value and peace of mind for guests. The whole focus stays on making island vacations feel effortless from arrival straight through departure.
