Rental Policy
Eligible Renters
- Renters and drivers must be at least .
- Renters and drivers must have a valid drivers license.
- The person who signs the rental contract is defined as the driver, and therefore will be the only individual allowed to operate the boat during the contracted time period.
- Operators must have some prior boating experience.
How Renting a Boat Works
- Renters may call or walk-in to reserve a boat. If you walk-in, we cannot guarantee there will be a boat available to rent.
- To reserve your rental, the full payment is taken at the time of the reservation. You can pay with credit card, check or cash.
- That card must be present the day of the rental.
- A $500.00 security deposit is authorized to your credit card the day of the rental. If there are no damages incurred during your rental, the deposit will be released and you will not be charged anything.
- Rental rates do not include tax, fuel or gratuity.
- The rental times:
- REGULAR SEASON (May 15 - September 6):
- Half-day rental times are either 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- Full day rental times are from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Additional hours are available to rent the boat overnight (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Please inquire about your options.
- FALL SEASON (September 7- October 31):
- Full-day rental times are from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Additional hours are available to rent the boat overnight (6 p.m. to 8 a.m.). Please inquire about your options.
- Rental rates
- Our rates are structured according to the day of the week and season. Please visit our RATES & HOURS page for more information.
- Great River Boat Rental patrons may take the boats as far as Stillwater, MN on the St. Croix River and as far as Treasure Island Casino on the Mississippi River. Click HERE to view navigational maps to plan your boating expedition!
- Boat rentals include the following:
- Coast Guard approved life jackets
- A throwable cushion
- Anchor and line
- Boat fenders
- Dock line
- Fire extinguisher
- Paddle
- Renters are responsible for all damages incurred during their rental period.
- Rental boats are prepared with a full tank of gas at the beginning of the rental. Upon return, gas dock attendants will help you park the boat if needed and "top off" the fuel tank.
- Renters need to allow 30 minutes to check-out for orientation, which is a quick session on how to operate the boat and navigate the rivers. Another 30 minutes will be needed at check-in for damage assessment and refueling. We recommend renters arrive a half-an-hour before your scheduled departure time for orientation so your orientation will not use up some of your time on the water.
- All rental boats are docked on the Gas Dock at King's Cove Marina, which allows for convenient boarding access. Great River Boat Rental provides tote carts to help you load and unload personal belongings from your car to your rental boat. Our staff would be happy to help you transport your belongings from your car to the boat, or visa-versa.
Tubing/Water Ski Policy
- For your safety, if you rent a tube, please be aware that tubers need to wear Type III life vests, which are not the stardard life vests provided on the boat rentals. We have them available for rent for $5 each, or you can bring your own.
Late Arrival or Return Policy
- If you're late to your rental reservation, you will forfeit that time on the water. The boat still needs to be returned at the scheduled time. If you're more than one hour late, then you will be charged for a weekday half-day rental or subject to the following renter's bill if there is a rental immediately after your rental time.
No-Wake Policy
- Great River Boat Rental shares a home with King's Cove Marina and it's harbor customers. Due to shallow waters in the harbor and to show respect to the harbor customer's home, the King's Cove Marina's harbor and channel is a .
Cleaning Charge
- If the boat is returned in a manner in which the boat will take extra effort to clean than usual (extra amounts of sand, stains, pet hair, food, trash, etc.) there will be a You will have the opportunity to clean it up yourself, but if you choose not to, there will be a charge.
Inclement Weather Policy
- If weather is inclement, the rental will be cancelled. Inclement weather is defined as weather where there are unsafe conditions, such as a warning of severe, high wind advisory or tornado as defined by the National Weather Service (NWS). If there are inclement weather conditions in the Hastings area prior to departure time then the rental reservation will be cancelled. You will be able to reschedule the reservation during the same rental request (weekday rental for a weekday rental) within a 30-day period or depending on boat availability.
- If weather conditions are overcast and cloudy but no use of warnings are issued by the NWS your rental still stands for the day.
- However, if there is a forecasted possibility of severe weather and you would like to change the rental date, you must reschedule at least 72 hours in advance for a weekday rental and 7 days in advance for a weekend rental or you will forfeit your rental and be charged the full amount of the rental.
- In the case weather turns severe while you are on the river, seek a place of safety such as a cove, an inlet or a protected shoreline and anchor the boat at the bow (front) and the aft (back).
Cancellation Policy
- Weekday rental reservations must be cancelled within 72 hours of your rental or you will forfeit your rental payment.
- Weekend rental reservations must be cancelled within 7 days of your rental or you will forfeit your rental payment.
Alcohol Policy
- Operator of the watercraft is NOT allowed to consume alcohol - same rules apply as if you were on a road. Please be responsible and have a designated driver.
- No kegs allowed.
- No drunk or disorderly conduct will be allowed or tolerated.
CALL TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR BOAT! (651) 438-9999!
