Frequently Asked Questions
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Rental Boats
Is prior boat operating experience required?
We do require that you have prior boat operating experience to rent a boat from us. The primary boat operator will sign a legal contract stating he/she has necessary prior experience (i.e. has been the primary operator and driver of a boat). If you do not have prior experience, you can visit Boatus.org to take a safety course, or get a boating license at www.californiaboatercard.com. Upon completion of the course, you will receive an e-mail with a certificate. You can show us the certificate via your phone or print it out and bring that with you to your reservation.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, we now allow dogs on our boats. There is a $35 fee per pet. The fee is non-refundable. Boats have weight limits as well as person limits so for larger breeds we may have to count the dog as a ‘person’.
What comes with the boat?
All of our boats come with AM/FM Radios which have MP3/iDevice hookup via an auxiliary cable. They also have all required safety equipment, a cooler and a bimini for shade.
Is there a weight limit on the boats?
The weight limit for the 20′ boats is 1300 lbs and the weight limit for the 23′ boats is 1724 lbs. Please note that fuel(~260 lbs for our boats), coolers, food & drink, water-toys, pets and people all count towards the weight limit.
Do you provide captains?
We do not provide captains for our boats.
Is fuel included?
Fuel is not included in our rentals. You leave with a full tank and when you return from your rental, we top off the tank so you only pay for what you used.
Do you provide watertoys?
We do not provide watertoys. However, you can rent any watertoys or wetsuits from Tahoe Marine Supply which is located next door to us. Their phone number is 530.583.0925.
Can we beach the boat or do you provide anchors?
We do not allow you to beach the boat, this is to keep the boats in nice shape as well as to help prevent damage to the engine. We do not provide anchors for safety reasons, as well as to help prevent any boat damage.
Do you rent Jet skis?
We do not rent Jet skis.
Are reservations required?
We can do reservations 3 months in advance. We recommend reservations but they are not required. During holidays, weekends, July and August, we STRONGLY recommend reservations. June and September, we typically have availability during mid-week but weekends can be busy.
Do kids count as a full person?
Yes. Coast Guard regulations state that a body is a body, despite their age, weight or size. We do not have an age restriction on boat passengers and we do have infant-sized life jackets.
How old do you have to be to rent a boat?
In order to rent a boat, the primary operator must be at least 18 years old.
Is a boater's license required?
We do not require a boater’s license but we do require prior boat operating experience. California now requires boating licensure; however rental boat customers are not required to have one under the new state law. We encourage all of our customers to pursue a boating license, and more information can be found at www.californiaboatercard.com
Will you deliver a boat to me?
No. We do not deliver boats around the lake. We require that you pickup and return our boats to the Marina, during our normal business hours.
Do you allow over-night/multi-day rentals?
No. We do not do over-night/multi-day rentals. We found that most people who rent for more than 2 days will only use the boat 3-4 hours per day. It then becomes cheaper to rent the boat for specific hours everyday instead of for a full week/multi-day rate.
Do you offer any specials or discounts?
We have a few specials that we offer during the summer season.
Our most popular is our Mid-Week, 4th hour free promotion. This special applies to Monday – Thursday and excludes holidays (including July 2nd – 5th). If you plan to spend half the day or longer on the water, this is the way to go. If you plan to stay out for 8 hours (Mon-Thurs), you’ll receive both the 4th and 8th hour free.
We also offer a rewards program for our frequent renters called TCM R&R, which stands for “Rent and Receive”. The TCM R&R is designed to reward our customers who rent from us multiple times a year. Every hour* you rent, you receive 1 point, upon receiving 3 points, you get 1 free hour. These hours are bankable and may be used anytime* during the year.
* = See Terms and Conditions in the FAQ section below
TCM Rent & Receive(R&R)
What is TCM R&R?
The TCM R&R is designed to reward our customers who rent from us multiple times a year. Every hour* you rent, you receive 1 point, upon receiving 3 points, you get 1 free hour. These hours are bankable and may be used anytime* during the year.
* = See Terms and Conditions
* = See Terms and Conditions
How do I sign up?
When you come in to fill out your pre-rental paperwork, let the reservationist behind the counter know. They will collect some information from you and give you a piece of paper with all of the details about the program.
How do I redeem my points/free hours?
To redeem your points/hours, bring your ID used to create your TCM R&R account when you come to do the pre-rental paperwork and let the reservationist behind the counter know you wish to use your hours. They will then verify your points and apply the discount when you return from your rental.
Are there any minimums?
The minimum to redeem your points the first time is 6 points (2 free hours). After that, however, you simply need to have the required number of points to receive your free hour.
Can I use my sailboat points towards a free powerboat hour?
Points accrued apply towards that style boat. Thus any points earned by renting the sailboat, will apply only towards the sailboat. Points earned by renting a powerboat, may be applied towards a powerboat of either size.
Can I combine my TCM R&R free hours with your specials?
The TCM R&R free hours may be combined with our Mid-Week Special, but may not be combined with our Early Bird Special.
What are the full Terms and Conditions?
Here is a list of the full Terms and Conditions:
- “following season” is defined as ending on October 1st of the year after the point(s) are earned.
- “Free” hour(s) received during our Mid-Week and Early Bird specials do not apply towards points.
- Fuel is not included.
- 1 full paid hour of rental gives 1 point.
- Partial hours will receive partial points of equal value.
- Free hour(s) are applied to the same boat type for which they were earned. Sailboat hour(s) apply to the sailboat, powerboat hour(s) apply to a powerboat of either size.
- 3 points are required to receive 1 free hour.
- Minimum of 6 points is required for the first redemption.
- Points may not be partially redeemed.
- Points may not be used on weekends (Friday – Sunday) or holidays.
- Points may not be combined with other families or groups.
- Points expire at the end of the following season.
- Points cannot be traded/exchanged for other goods or services offered by Tahoe City Marina.
- Points may not be exchanged for cash.
- A valid state or government ID will be required to redeem your points. The name on the ID must match the name on your TCM R&R account.
- It is the responsibility of the TCM R&R member to make the Tahoe City Marina employee aware of their enrollment in the program.
- Points will not be added for rentals done prior to becoming a TCM R&R member.
- Points may be immediately redeemed if all the requirements are met during a rental.
- Terms and Conditions are subject to change without notice.
Slips and Buoys
What is a buoy and slip?
Buoys and slips can also be known as moorings and berths depending on your region. Buoys/moorings are floats that you hook up to and are anchored to the bottom of the lake. They require a kayak, canoe, dingy, swimming, or buoy service access. Slips/berths are closer to the shore and have direct access via docks or walkways, they are parking spaces for your boat.
What is the difference between the private side and the expansion side?
The private side slips are all privetly owned, they are bought and sold as real estate. There is a slip owners association fee (the owner pays, not the renter) which helps cover the maintenance and electricity for the slips. Tahoe City Marina acts as a rental manager for slip owners who wish to rent out their slips. The slips are behind locked gates, have access to electricty, most have a dock box and for a fee, wireless internet. A pump-out station and water are available on our fuel dock.
The expansion slips are all owned by Tahoe City Marina and are leased out to renters. Most slips on the expansion side are annual rentals but they also have the option to sub-lease (through TCM) their slip if they will not be using it. Amenities included on the expansion side are locked gates, electricity, dock boxes and free wireless internet with no slip owners association fee. Our larger slips have easy access to pump-out stations and water from their slip while smaller boats will need to go to our fuel dock.
Why is the expansion side more expensive?
As mentioned above, there are a few differences between the two. The main cost difference is the private side rates are based on a seasonal rental and the expansion rates are based on an annual rental.
Can I keep my boat in the water year-round?
You can keep your boat in the water year-round, however, there are a few requirements. We require that all inboard and inboard-outboard (I/O) boats be winterized. Outboard engines typically do not need to be winterized but a heater is recommended, especially if you have a water system. All boats must have a winter cover to shed snow or be shrink-wrapped.
Is there a waitlist for a buoy or slip?
We have a waitlist for both slip and buoy season long and short term rentals. The waitlist is only for one season and you need to contact us each year for any subsequent seasons.
How long is the waitlist?
The length of the waitlist depends on the size of your boat and what you’re looking for. Seasonal rental availability varies from year to year and we cannot predict what we may have open up. For short term rentals during July 4th week and weekends, our waitlist can be upwards of 20 people but end of September dates may only be 1 or 2 people. When you know your dates, call us or e-mail us and we will add your name to the waitlist. If we have an opening, we will call or e-mail you back to begin the reservation process.
Lake Tahoe
How big is Lake Tahoe?
Lake Tahoe is 12 miles wide and 22 miles long, with a total of 72 miles of shoreline.
How deep is Lake Tahoe?
The average depth of the lake is 1000′ and at its deepest it is 1,645′. Tahoe is the 2nd deepest lake in the US (Crater Lake is 1st) and the 11th deepest in the world.
How cold/warm is the water?
Tahoe’s average water temperature is 42.1 degrees. The average surface temperature (top 2 feet) is 51.9 degrees, however, during late July through mid August, the surface temperature will average 64.9 degrees.
What is the water level?
Tahoe’s water level fluctuates depending on the season. The highest point usually occurs in July and the lowest point usually occurs in December. Things like the amount of water let out of the dam, evaporation, snow melt and rain all play a part in Tahoe’s water level. The natural rim is 6,221′ and the highest legal limit is 6,229.1′. For up-to-date lake levels, you can visit the USGS website.