It’s boat season, and companies recommend you book in advance if you want to spend time on the water this summer.

Why it matters: Charlotte may be land-locked, but hydrophiles will find a way to be near water— whether it’s a pool, lake, ocean or puddle.

Know before you go: You can’t just pull up to the lake, rent a boat and drive off into the sunset.

• Before you drive, you need to take a free boat safety class online.
• If you don’t have your boat safety certificate, or you don’t have a designated driver, many of these companies offer captains for an additional fee, just make sure they’re properly licensed by the US Coast Guard before you hire.

Here are nine boat-rental companies to check out this summer:

Lake Norman

Black Boat Club 

This operator sells out every weekend and reservations are typically needed a month in advance.

Context: Couple Corinna DeWitt and Tarrence Dent started Black Boat Club in February 2021.

• They have three boats— two pontoons and a sports boat.
• DeWitt and Dent are looking to expand their fleet to keep up with the demand.
• They say they’re hoping to work with other boat owners who want to rent out their boats to make a little money on the side.

Details: BBC is anchored primarily on Lake Norman, but will also travel to Lake Wylie.

• They offer three time slots on the weekends: 10am to 2pm ($350), 3pm to 7pm ($350) or from 11am-7pm ($550). Weekday rentals cost $310, and are available during the same time slots, but only for four hours. 
• Hiring a captain is an additional $150 for four hours.
• Two-hour sunset cruises on Tuesdays and Thursdays are $250. This comes with the captain and you can add on cheese/wine for $60.

Address: Based in Lake Norman, but they’ll bring the boat to you.

Best way to book: Online

Carolina Cruising Charters

Featured on MTV and Netflix, this company has two tritoon pontoons that can seat 10 to 13 passengers.

• Of note: A tritoon has three tubes on the boat’s hull and a pontoon has two tubes.

Price: Rates start at $500 and vary depending on the type of boat and how far you take it. 

• Additional fees vary for add-ons, including paddle boards, wakeboards and a custom video reel. 
• Rides can be booked for two to eight hours durations daily from 9am-10pm.

Of note: Rates do not change based on the number of people on the boat.

Address: 18020 Kings Point Dr., Cornelius

Best way to book: Online or call (704) 850-5727.

Morningstar Marina 

This company has a 10-seater tritoon available to rent.

Price: $450-$575 not including taxes and fees.

• Tubes are available to rent for an additional $50.

Address: 21660 Crown Lake Dr., Cornelius

Best way to book: Online

Westport Marina 

This boat operator has speed boats seating six people and tritoons seating 10 people.

Price: $435- $3,870 depending on how many hours/days you want to rent the pontoon, with a max rental time of seven days.

• You can add tubes, kneeboards, water skis, and a pontoon slide to your rental for an additional fee.

Address: 7879 Water Oaks Drive, Denver, NC, 28037

Best way to book: Online

Lake Effects 

The company offers tritoons, ski boats, surf boats and jet skis for rent.

Price: Tritoons start at $319, ski boats start at $649 and jet ski rentals start at $219.

Address: 8693 NC Hwy 150, Terrell, NC, 28682

Best way to book: Online

Lake Wylie

Lake Wylie Boat Rentals 

This rental company offers pontoons, which fit up to 10 people, and gas is included.

Price: $500-$600 for a full day (eight hours).

• $300-$400 for a half-day (four hours).
  

Address: 1500 River D., Belmont 28012

Best way to book: Online

Tega Cay Marina 

The business 12-passenger pontoons available for rent, and the first full tank of gas is included in the rental.

Price: They offer full-day (eight-hour), half-day (four-hour) and two-hour rentals.

• Monday – Thursday half-day: $375.
• Monday – Thursday full-day: $425.
• Friday – Sunday – full-day: $495.
• Holiday weekends/weekdays full-day $625 or half-day: $425.
• Evening rentals from May 1 – Sept. 30: Thursday through Sunday two hours, $250.00.

Address: 28000 Marina Drive Tega Cay, SC, 29708

Best way to book: By phone at 803-371-6913 or email [email protected].

Boat Rental USA 

Has a fleet of pontoons ranging from eight-14-passenger luxury pontoons available for rent.

Price: They offer full-day (six to eight-hour) and multi-day specials for vacation renters.

• Prices range from $350-$650 daily.
• Up to 35% discounts on multi-day rentals for three to four days. 

Address: Multiple locations on Lake Wylie this summer but will expand to Lake Norman next summer.

Best way to book: Online or call (980) 500-2889

Wave Kings Watercraft and Adventures

A Black-owned boat company with tritoon boats that seat up to 12 people.

Price: They offer two-hour, three-hour and four-hour rentals.

• Two-hour rentals start at $269.99.
• Three-hour rentals start at $389.99.
• Four-hour rentals start at $499.99.

Of note: Tickets are $35/person every other Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm. That includes complimentary wine and snacks.

Best way to book: Online

Address: In Mt. Holly at 1000 Mariana Village Dr.

Editor’s note: We first published this guide in May 2022. We updated it in July 2023.