1)    Decide which boat you are interested in, regular, special or deluxe.
2)    Pick a date
3)    Pick a time
4)    Decide if you want an add-on for time, ladder or extra goodies.
5)    Provide credit card information
6)    Receive an email with a confirmation number and the day of information.

You will get an email with a confirmation number.  If you do not get an email call us immediately at 952-471-9515.

It’s is strongly recommended but not required.  You are more than welcome to “walk-in” however, our boats are rented “first-come” “first-serve”.  We cannot guarantee a boat will be available for use without a reservation.  If you call us we can give you an idea of how many boats are available, but remember, because of our online system, someone could rent it while you are driving to the marina.  Sorry, we will not hold pontoon boats without payment.

You will need to visit us in person at Rockvam Boat Yards, Inc. and make an in-person reservation with cash (we do not accept checks).   Sorry, we will not hold pontoon boats without payment because they are rented “first come” “first serve”.

We rent our pontoon boats in six hour time blocks.  The start times are before noon.  However, between May 15 and August 15 we offer a 2 hour extension option.  If you would like a little extra time on the waters in the afternoon, just select the 2 hour extension in your shopping cart.  This would make our normal 10am to 4pm cruise available until 6pm.  The add-on option must be selected prior to departure from our dock.  If you do not select it during the online reservation process, you can pay for it before you leave the dock.

After you leave the dock your contract is set and you must return by the stated return time.  Unfortunately we will not take payment over the phone for add-on’s. There are two reasons for this policy, first, the majority of phones available for your use after departure are cell phones and it’s not a good practice to give credit card information over a cell phone and second, our staffing is based on return times created at the time of departure. The add-on is a fun way to get a little more time on the waters, but, make sure to do it before you leave the dock!

Regular and Special Pontoon Boats:  10 or less people.
Deluxe Pontoon Boats:  8 or less people
Everyone on board counts toward the total whether it’s the driver or an infant, each person counts equally.

Yes.  Each person counts equally toward the maximum number of passengers.

No.  Our pontoon boats are for use during sunlight only.

No.  Our boats are for use on Lake Minnetonka only and do need to be at the marina at night.

No.  Sorry, pets are not allowed on the pontoon boats.

No.  We do not allow BBQ Grills, lighter fluid, charcoal, (things that are flammable) on the boats, even to transport to an island.

No.  You can bring alcohol, just not in a keg.

No.  The boats are for recreation use only.  The boats are not designed for cargo transportation or as a platform for a sound system at Big Island.

Well… because someone has “already done it” with a bad outcome and we don’t want “it” done again.  Actually, we hope at the end of your rental you have an awesome experience and return year after year like so many people do.  Our goal is for you to have a fun and memorable experience using our pontoon boats on Lake Minnetonka.  But, we want your fun and memorable experience to center around safe boating practices.

Yes.  Let us know at the time of reservation.

If you look at our aerial photo our boats can be close by and far away.  We can make it easy for grandpa by pulling the boat close to shore and then you can drive right down our ramp to make it the shortest possible walking distance.  Let us know at the time of reservation.

No.  You can reserve the pontoon boat with a credit card, but the actual cash rental deposit must be in cash only, no checks or credit cards.  Please bring the cash rental deposit with you the day of your reservation.

It’s like a damage deposit. Here’s our policy.

A cash (no checks, no credit cards) rental deposit is required on the day of your rental. This money (Rental Deposit) will be returned at the end of the rental upon a satisfactory return check-in.   The rental deposit will be retained and used in the event of, but not limited to: gas, damage, late fees, clean-up fees, labor and or replacement fees.  Multiple boats rental deposit policy: Rental deposits are not excusive to an individual boat.  In the event a renter has multiple rentals for a given day we will combine and apply all of the renter’s deposits as the starting point for the recovery of the total additional expenses incurred.

You will be charged the late fee.  We do not offer any sort of “grace period”.  The boat is due back at the return time on the contract.  Please do not be late, allow ample time to get back to the marina knowing that there may be more traffic on the water going through the channels.  Many people return early to our bay and drop anchor close by for the remainder of their time block.  This type of planning allows them a stress-free end to a fantastic cruise.

Rain checks are issued per our raincheck policy listed below.  Basically, if it rains prior to departure you can request a rain check valid for later this season or the next boating season.  After departure we do not issue rain checks.

We do not issue refunds.  Rain checks issued per our rain check policy.

Renters are only eligible for a rain check if it is raining at the RBY, I dock at the time block Departure Time.  If it is raining at the time block Departure Time, request a rain check and a rain check will be issued in the dollar amount of the rental price.  The rain check will be kept on file and the amount may be applied toward your next rental within the remainder of this or the next boating season.  Remember equipment upgrades and price increases are the responsibility of the renter.  We do not issue rain checks after departure from the RBY, I dock.  Rain checks are not transferable.

Cancellations will only be accepted more than 48 hours prior to the time block Departure Time and will result in a loss of one half of the rental fee.  Call RBY,I with a fax number and the cancellation form requiring your signature will be faxed promptly.

We do not accept cancellations less than 48 hours in advance of the time block Departure Time.  The renter is responsible for the entire rental price.  In addition to the rental price, an additional $50.00 “no-show” fee will be billed to the credit card associated with this rental if the renter does not show up for the reservation.  To avoid the “no-show” fee, call RBY, I prior to your time block Departure Time with a fax number, the form requiring your signature will be faxed promptly.  If you do not show up for your boat within one hour of the time block Departure Time, RBY, I will assume you are a no-show and charge all incurred fees to the credit card associated with this reservation and rent the boat to the next available renter.

Of course!  We just ask that you leave the boat in the condition you found it, so make sure to remove the decorations at the end of your cruise and that they are color-fast so they don’t leave permanent damage if they get wet.  One more comment about decorations… we do have a number of bachelor and bachelorette parties throughout the summer… and… um…well… there are a few decorations that maybe you could wait to hang or blow up until after you leave the marina…. we’d like to keep it a “family friendly” environment at the docks.

Regular Pontoon Boats:  No.

Special and Deluxe Pontoon boats:  Yes.  The stereo does have an auxiliary plug-in for your Ipod., but you will need to bring a cable to connect your Ipod to the jack.  We do offer these cables for purchase in our Ship’s Store in the event you forget yours.

Regular and Special Pontoon Boats:  No.  But ladders are available for rental.  Just add one during the reservation process.
Deluxe Pontoon Boats:  Yes.  Ladders are included.

No.  Included in the rental price is the basic safety gear including life jackets for each passenger.  However, if you or your kids have a favorite life jacket, it’s OK to use it.

Yes.  We require a valid driver’s license and that the driver of the boat is at least 25 years old.  In Minnesota there is no additional boating license requirement for driving a boat.  The pontoon boats are basic and we do give you instructions on how to operate the boat.

A long time… we’ve been renting boats since 1989 and we’ve been in business over 50 years!

No.  We rent our boats as “self-captained” vessels.  Most people renting a pontoon boat don’t have too much difficulty finding a driver within their group, sometime there is even a neighbor that would be willing to be their driver.

Lake Minnetonka offers so much it’s sometimes difficult to narrow it down!  There are 28 interconnected bays with over 110 miles of shoreline, so you’ve got swimming, fishing and cruising.  There are restaurants/bars in Excelsior, Wayzata, Spring Park and Mound.  Along the way, take a look at the large houses and historic landmarks and of course drive by Big Island… well, we’ve heard many of our pontoons drop anchor and stay there a while!

This is rare, but it does happen.  If it does, call us, 952-471-9515.  The motors are maintained by our factory-trained and certified technicians; therefore they are in excellent operating condition.  Please do not try to fix the boat yourself.  There are common causes for a boat not starting that can be taken care of over the phone, such as flooding, or the kill switch fell out.  One time a person simply didn’t have the key all the way in the ignition.

It’s a big lake and occasionally people will get lost.  Disclaimer:  just like the “dog ate my homework” excuse doesn’t work for teachers, the “I got lost” excuse doesn’t work for avoiding the late fee.  If you do get lost, don’t panic, here are a couple suggestions to find your way.  If someone is boating by you, flag them down and ask them where you are!   Most boaters are willing to point you in the right direction.  If no one is around, find a bridge because most have a sign that will say which bay you are entering and then find that location on your map.  Finally, call us, 952-471-9515 and normally with a few landmarks we can get you back on track.

Get out of danger. Stay calm. Call 911.  Lake Minnetonka is serviced by the Hennepin County Water Patrol and cell phone service is available on the entire lake.  The operator will ask where you are, if you do not know, give them landmarks, such as the shape or name on a water tower, a near by bridge, or the types of buildings you can see on shore.  Most important, when you see the water patrol boat coming your way, signal it by waving your arms and do not stop until they acknowledge you.  They are going to be searching for you, but signaling them will be helpful in locating you quicker.  After you’ve called 911, please also call us at 952-471-9515.

Regular and Special Pontoon Boats:  Yes.

Deluxe Pontoon Boats:  No.

It’s simple, there are a couple options including seasonal and one day licenses, we recommend 1-888-MN-LICENSE.  You are able to buy it right over the phone.

We carry pre-packaged bait in our ship’s store.  Depending on time of summer we will offer minnows, wax worms, leaches, and night crawlers.

No, but we do offer quality entry-level fishing poles for purchase.

Regular Pontoon Boat:  We have a gas surcharge that covers the first 6 gallon tank.  If you need to use gas in the second tank we charge you per ¼ tank used at the completion of your cruise.

Special and Deluxe Pontoon Boats:  6 gallons of gas is included in your purchase and you pay the pump price for any amount used over 6 gallons.

Call us 952-471-9515.  We won’t say it’s impossible to run out of gas, but it is really, really difficult.  On board you will have 12 gallons of gas and your motor will be a 4-stroke, 25hp motor.  It’s a very fuel efficient motor.   Most people complete their cruise in under 6 gallons, occasionally they will go over 6 gallons, but rarely do they approach 10 gallons.  Why is there so much gas on board?  Well, we don’t want you to run out and we also don’t want you to waste your time stopping at gas docks.  In fact, please do not fill the tank at another gas dock.  The reason is, our gas is 91 Octane ethanol free gasoline, it’s “boat gas” and we do not want “non-boat gas” in the engine.  Spend your time boating and we’ll fill it upon your return.

Note:  we say these are fuel-efficient, but factors affecting gas consumption include, the amount of weight you have on the boat, how hot/humid the weather is, and of course if you are driving fast or anchored.  You can’t control the weather… but less coolers and slower driving will make a difference!