A Day on the Lake: What to Expect With Lake Travis Boat Rentals

As Lake Travis boat company owners with the most rare luxury fleet on the lake, we are often asked by first timers what to expect. It’s always difficult to answer because every outing is unique, but there are a few threads of commonality we often share with them.
 

One of those threads is this most amazing feeling of watching the sunset on Lake Travis from a party boat, after a long memorable day with friends and family. That special moment is like a deep, well earned sigh where you’re both exhausted from swimming in the sun, yet finally relaxed and no longer sucking in your belly to impress anyone.

While there are so many ways to enjoy a day on Lake Travis, one of the best is renting a party boat for a private day with friends and/or family, allowing someone else to captain and worry about safety protocols.

Experienced Staff

Is there a team of well trained captains with safety training, or is it some random dude trying to sucker you out of your money for taking you out on his personal houseboat which is a 1983 honker with barely welded metal plates holding it together? Worse, is it a boat you have to figure out on your own?

If you don’t have a captain, do you know what to do if a nose cone hits rocks, or which battery to check if the boat stalls in open waters? Do you know local laws like the requirement to take a boater’s education course for any craft operating more than 15 horsepower, or how many lifejackets are required for each vessel size?

Just hire a party boat with a captain that knows all of these answers, it’s much easier and less risky. 

Quality of the Fleet

Again, some rentals are pretty janky, so don’t just look at the pictures, find their Instagram account or seek out pictures others have taken of the actual boats.

Do they have descriptions of the boats and is that a match to the pictures? Do they have any upgrades? Those that do will spell it out in great detail. Here’s a great example of good descriptions.

Sound System

If you intend on vibin’ on the lake, you’ll want music. Read on their site about what systems they have on board. Is it an old boom box from some dude’s parent’s house, or is it a fully upgraded system that can create ripples in the water?

Companies that have invested in this feature for you typically offer details on their site about it. 

Extras Offered

There is a big difference between a glorified canoe and a luxury party boat fleet, so read their site for extras that are offered. For example lily pads everyone can float on, or ice chests so you don’t have to carry them to the docks.

Do they have water slides? Are you allowed to jump off of the boat into the water based on the structure offered? What about lifejackets?