Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all of our boats can operate rain or shine.

We encourage guests to wear layers, as it is often much cooler and windier on the lake than it is inland.

Yes, each of our vessels is supplied with enough U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for every person onboard. If someone in your party is in need of a youth- or infant-size life jacket, our dock crew will assist in having them properly fitted for one prior to departure. All guests ages thirteen years old and younger are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times while onboard the boat.

No, with the exception of service dogs trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities, as defined by the ADA.

Yes, guests are allowed to bring their own food and beverages onboard. We do not provide coolers, but guests are more than welcome to bring their own. For safety reasons, we ask that guests limit the amount of glass containers brought onboard. Guests are responsible for taking all trash with them after their rental. Trash cannot be left or disposed of in Pere Marquette Park.

Our boats are allowed to go as far north on the Milwaukee River as Lakefront Brewery, as far west on the Menomonee River as Twisted Fisherman, as far south on the Kinnickinnic River as The Bridgewater Modern Grill, as far north in the Milwaukee harbor as McKinley Marina, and as far south in the Milwaukee harbor as South Shore Park. Our boats must remain within the breakwater at all times when on the lake.

We recommend arriving at our docks in Pere Marquette Park about 15 minutes in advance to check in. Please allow sufficient time to find parking when planning your day, as there is not a parking lot at Pere Marquette Park.

Pere Marquette Park does not have its own parking lot. Most of the street parking surrounding the park has a two-hour time limit Monday through Saturday, so private parking lots and structures will be a better option for most renters. On Sundays, street parking is free and does not have a time limit. There are two parking lots adjacent to the park, and many more nearby. We are not affiliated with any lots or structures and cannot confirm their costs, time limits, or hours. Most notably, the Marcus Performing Arts Center, located just across the river from Pere Marquette Park, has a large parking structure that may provide a close parking option.

Yes, our boats can be docked at any restaurant with designated docks for customers, as well as public docks that may be near restaurants. Boats may NOT be docked at any dock denoted as private, or at restaurant docks when the restaurant is not open. If you are considering making a stop during your pontoon rental, we encourage you to ask our dock staff to provide a demonstration on knot-tying before departing or do your own reading ahead of time about how to keep a boat securely tied to a dock. If a boat becomes unsecured due to improper tying and drifts away, it can become a hazard to other boaters or lead to shoreline collisions that can cause damage.

No, smoking of any kind is illegal and prohibited while onboard our boats. Anyone found smoking onboard may be ticketed by the Milwaukee Police Department or U.S. Coast Guard and have their cruise terminated immediately with no eligibility for a credit or refund.

No. Items that produce an open flame are not allowed onboard our boats.

No, swimming from our boats is not allowed. Swimming in the Milwaukee harbor, which includes both the rivers and the lake, is illegal and extremely dangerous. Our boats also do not have swim ladders, making reentry into the boat from the water difficult.

Yes, all boats come equipped with a built-in radio, but we encourage guests to bring a portable speaker if you have one to serve as a backup in the event of any technical difficulties.

No, the boats do not have electrical outlets, which means that you will not be able to plug in a phone, stereo, string lights, etc. There is a port to plug in a device to play music over the built-in speakers, but it is not a charger.

Yes, tipping your captain and deckhand after your charter is encouraged if you feel that they’ve provided you with good service, but not required.

Generally, no. The awning requires time and labor to both remove and reinstall, and it is not possible to do so if another rental is booked immediately preceding or following yours.

No, our captains are not available to drive for 10-passenger pontoon boat rentals. You can find the requirements needed for a member of your party to drive our self-captained pontoons here.

No, security deposits for our 10-passenger self-captained pontoon rentals must be held with a valid credit card in the name of the person who will be driving the boat.

The entire river system downtown has a “slow no wake” speed limit, meaning that the boats must be kept at their minimum driving speed. Some parts of the lake within the breakwater allow for faster speeds; you are required to follow all posted signs and buoys and may be ticketed if caught speeding.

Yes, but only on the lake. The bimini top, which covers approximately the back half of the boat, will be down when you arrive for your rental, but can be put up once you reach the lake. The bimini top is too tall for some of the bridges along the river and must be kept down at all times when on the Milwaukee River, Menomonee River, or Kinnickinnic River to avoid collision.