Lake Tahoe Wakeboard School Archives - Lake Tahoe Captained Boat Rental

How to Choose a Lake Tahoe Rental Boat

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Plan for Success:

You are planning your Lake Tahoe summer vacation on the internet, choosing activities for each day that allow you to best experience one of the most beautiful places in the world. There’s so many great things to do in at Lake Tahoe but your decision becomes more challenging if getting a good deal on a speed boat rental is your priority. Depending on personal preference, all the following boat rental options can be a great time, but for maximum range and touring during your boat rental, let’s focus on the important differences between (DIY) renting a boat driving yourself or (RELAX) renting a boat with an experienced driver.

Your Choices:

(DIY) Rent a boat and drive it yourself (top dollar for old junk) LEARN MORE: 8SEP19 OVERCROWDED RENTAL BOATER DEATH (NOT Tahoe Jet Boats)
(RELAX) Rent a boat with an experienced driver/instructor/guide
Rent a jet ski
Rent a kayak
Rent a SUP
Buy a boat ride on a large party vessel like the Tahoe Queen, Tahoe Gal, Lake Tahoe Party Boat, Blue Wave or similar

DIY: Drive it Yourself

If you have boating experience, renting a boat and driving yourself may seem like a good idea until you realize the small print Lake Tahoe rental boat terms. $6/gallon gas, expensive fees and damage charges for inferior old equipment..

DIY can be a much more expensive for an inferior quality rental than our luxury boat with an experienced driver (see fuel, damage & late fees below)
FEE: Doesn’t include fuel ($6 plus per gallon) adding hundreds to your rental
FEE: Makes you financially responsible for damage to hull and props that can add hundreds or thousands to the cost of your rental upon return
Has propellers that can seriously injure you in an accident (TahoeJetBoats is Lake Tahoe’s only no propeller boat)
Can waste as much as 30 minutes of your rental time as you leave and enter the 5 mph zones in and out of marinas like Tahoe Keys
FEE: Makes you financially responsible for late charges potentially adding significant charges to your rental
Doesn’t include a local expert to drive you to the best spots based on your interests, wasting valuable time
FEE: Doesn’t include water sports gear or expert instruction
Are boat designs without waterline rear decks for easy water access for swimming and sports
Are smaller than you really should have for the Tahoe wind and waves
Are older and less comfortable, on average the fleet is 10 -15 years old
Puts you at risk for various violations from law enforcement
Puts you at risk for a DUI if you open a beer
Break down more often

RELAX: Rent a Boat with a Concierge Captain

Tahoe Jet Boats charters our rental boat with a local expert at the helm.

Step aboard a late model luxury 24 footer twin engine speed boat by Yamaha, everything’s included.

☛ Open to some helpful advice prior to making your decision? Check out these brief but important tips:

Lake Tahoe Presents Ocean Like Conditions at 6253 Feet Above Sea Level:

Less than optimal for inexperienced drive your own boat renters
Wind and waves build extremely fast at our elevation presenting overcrowded boats with extreme challenges
If you don’t have rough water high wind boating experience, leave the driving to Tahoe Jet Boats

Tahoe Wave Conditions typically build from the SW -> NE.

Typical Tahoe Winds Build from the SW -> NE.

If you want an absolutely terrific, completely enjoyable, memorable, stress-free day (or half day) on Lake Tahoe, then Tahoe Jet Boats is the best way to go. We researched all the boat rental shops and prices on Yelp, but we think TJB offers the most exceptional value. TJB provides: An expert captain who knows all the sweet spots you might never find yourself; free use of water toys including water skis, a 3-person towable tube, wakeboard, floaty noodles, wetsuits, life vests, goggles, fins, snorkels; a fast-as-lightening jet boat with both sunny and shaded seating areas; photographs and video of your trip…the list goes on and on. The skipper, Dave, is also the owner, and he went out of his way to ensure we had a good time…and we sure did. Dave picked us up on the west side of the lake, about a 30-minute drive north of South Lake Tahoe, so there was no pick-up fee. We booked a half-day in the morning then enjoyed the rest of a day on the gorgeous West Shore. Thanks, Dave, for helping to make our vacation so much fun! –John H

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Lake Tahoe’s all inclusive, concierge captained, luxury speed boat rental for tours, waketubing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, waterskiing and sightseeing.

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