Boat clubs are similar to timeshare rentals. You pay one flat rate and then have access to the fleet of boats. You do not have the responsibilities of ownership such as storage, dockage, annual service, and winterizing. At the end of the season, you also do not have a commitment to boating and can simply stop, although we hope the Boat Club is an entry point to a new free time activity!

Are there tie lines on the boat?

Yes! We permanently attach the tie lines to the boat, that way you can't leave them on another boat or at a restaurant.

Is there an anchor on the boat / where is the anchor?

Yes! It will be inventoried before you leave the dock. Depending on the boat there are specific locations, either on the front deck or in the anchor hatch.

Is there music on the boat? Can I plug in?

All the boats have stereos. They also have a way to hook up your portable music device. You will need to bring a cord to connect it via USB or auxiliary.

Is there WiFi on the boat?

Not yet!

Is there a map on the boat?

We put maps on the boats, but if you notice it's missing, just ask for one in the Ship's Store.

Are there canopies on the boats?

Yes! About 5 years ago the biggest suggestion our members requested was that all the boats had an opportunity for shade. So, over that winter we added bimini tops to all the boats. 

Are there bathrooms on the boat?

Nope. There may be areas that port-a-potties could be installed, but we've discovered that, although our crew is amazing, no one wants to clean a toilet. There is a difference between using the pump-out machine on the outside of a boat and actually getting down in the head and wiping off a toilet or the floor around a toilet (GROSS!). So at this point no potties! There are lots of places around the lake such as restaurants that have public bathrooms.

Can we bring our dog with us on a Club boat?

Yes! We allow pets on our boats. 

Please note:  If you are looking at renting a pontoon for a one-day outing, and arrived on this boat club FAQ page...  we do not allow dogs on the pontoon boats for our daily pontoon rentals.

How old are the boats?

We consider the boats in our fleets a representation of our marina when they are on the water. We want you to be proud to drive them. Our fleet is from zero to 20 years old... they are in great shape. Come out and take a look. That's the benefit of having our own repair shop. We are able to use "priority service" scheduling in our repair shop to keep them looking and running great!

Are you guys getting a fancy inboard ski boat?

As of now, we are not. The inboards are tricky. We want to stay with the I/O's and outboards because they are easier to drive and less expensive to maintain. We have found that more of the Boat Club users prefer the open bows and pontoons that seat people.

Is it difficult to get a boat?

As a Boat Club Member, you can have up to two reservations on the books up to three weeks in advance. That means we roll ahead and all the boats are available when the next day opens up! So if you absolutely want a pontoon on a special Saturday... make sure you have an open reservation and as soon as three weeks ahead happens, book it! We typically have great availability, especially during the week. Just make sure if you have a special day in mind that you keep an open reservation so you can get locked in! Also, if you can't make it, please cancel. All of the members are sharing boats so someone else just might want to enjoy the waters if you can't!

How many times can I use the boat this summer?

The memberships are unlimited. In addition to having two reservations, you can always go online to book "spontaneous" day of boats.

How many people are in the club?

At this time we adhere to a 6 to 7 membership per boat ratio. This means with our current Boat Club fleet of 13 if we maxed out with 7 memberships per boat that would be 91 memberships. 

When do boats have to be in by?

The latest Boat Club boat is due back by 8:00 PM. The lake is a completely different navigational experience after dark. Unfortunately, we have to call it a day at some time.

Can we keep the boat overnight?

Nope. We need the boats back to the dock so they can get gassed and cleaned for the next day's members.

Can I get a boat on the 4th of July?

Yes! Three weeks before the 4th of July is June 13th. Make sure you have a reservation to use! All the boats are available on these days.

Will I be able to get a boat on the weekend?

Saturday is the most popular day to take out a Club boat. Use your reservations accordingly. Don't assume the day is full, always check, you may be pleasantly surprised!

When does the season start?

The Thursday before Memorial Day.

When does the season end?

Labor Day.

Why does the season start late and end early?

We are a "Summer Only" boating club. The Rockvam Boat Club is part of the larger marina, Rockvam Boat Yards, Inc. As such you gain the benefit of a full-service marina with large parking lots, easy access, convenience store, bathrooms, picnic areas, and Club Boats priority service in our repair shop (this is a big deal, much less "downtime" if a boat is damaged). Here's a little further behind-the-scenes logistical magic... what happens in the spring is we are very controlled by "ice out". The larger marina stores over 400 boats and that means we have to process and get ready over 400 boats, largely before Memorial Day.  If "ice out" is late, such as the end of April/early May, yikes, that's a time crunch!  We have chosen to host "Summer Only" boating clubs, and to keep pricing lower which allows us the opportunity to offer a product with a deadline we know we can achieve! 

How do you reserve a boat?

We have an online reservation system. You can make and cancel reservations as you choose.

Can I change the time block?

No. Each boat has a fixed departing time. You can change your arrival time if you know you are going to be late. The same goes for your return time, you can come back earlier!

Do I have to show up "right on time" for the reservation?

Yes, if you are running late PLEASE let us know. It will help us greatly with logistics. The online reservation website will let you manipulate your arrival time. You see... we launch on-demand using our forklift via the In/Out Service model. There are times that if you're arriving an hour late it makes a difference if we use the dock space for a different boat. ALSO, if your plans change and you're no longer coming, let us know ASAP so we can get the boat out of the water.

If I don't show up at the exact start time, do I still have a boat?

Yes, but you've got to communicate with us. Call us or email us! After two hours, you are considered a "no show" and we pull the boat out of the water and follow our "no show" procedure.

How do I cancel one of my reservations online?

Simple. Log onto the online reservation website and click on the reservation you want to cancel. Once clicked, you'll see a big red Cancel Reservation, simply click that and you will receive an email confirmation regarding your cancellation.

Can you just make a reservation for me over the phone?

No. Customers are responsible for booking their own reservations, as well as going online for "spontaneous" day of reservations.

How do I look at my reservations on the website?

Your reservations will show up on your home page of the online reservation website. You can modify and cancel your reservations here.

What if I already have two reservations, can I still use the boat?

Of course. You can do day of "spontaneous" reservations.  As soon as you use one of your reservations you can book again the next day.

What do I do at the end of my rental?

Stop at the gas dock. The attendants will top off the gas tank and inventory the boat for safety items and damage. You pay for your gas and you're on your way. Tag us in your fun photos on the lake... and get ready to come back!

Do members have to clean the boat?

Nope. You are responsible for unloading your items. There is a clean-up fee if the boat comes back excessively messy. Most members respect their fellow members and keep the boat tidy. As the saying goes, please leave the boat how you found it!

Can my friend and I join together?

We do not split memberships. The reason we have a low membership rate is to make boating affordable for our customers. We are very concerned with our membership to boat ratio. If a membership is split between people it affects the usage ratio. 

Can my kid drive the boat if I'm not there?

Nope. Just the member and spouse are able to reserve and drive the boats.

Can my mom drive?

If she were listed on the contract as a driver, yes. Since she could not be listed on the contract as a driver, no. If you do not want to have this conversation with her, we can be the "bad guy" and explain the boat club rules. We're totally cool with that.

Where can I park when I get there?

We have two large flat parking lots. There is one parking lot by the lake and one across the street. Both are fully paved and there are even large cargo carts you can use to get your things to and from your boat.

Where do guests park?

Guests will also use the two large parking lots.

Am I allowed to keep a car parked here overnight?

Please stop in the Ship Store before doing so. We have a few guidelines.

Can I have more than the amount of people on boat than Rockvam says because the placard says more?

Nope. Our boats are safety checked for the Rockvam Club maximum amount of people. We have guidelines we adhere to. The placard on the boat, while correct, doesn't factor gear, motor, and the general increase in weight of a human.

Can I bring alcohol on the boat?

Sure. Follow the laws.

Can we bring food?

Yes of course! Remember you're on a boat, so there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Melting happens. Sticky attracts ants/bees. And my favorite, Cheeze doodle dust becomes a super adhesive paste when mixed with water.  

Can we bring a grill?

Nope. Fire and boats don't mix. Transporting grills to use on islands is also a big no-no.

Do you rent water toys?

We do not. We have found that people would rather own their own tube so they know who has been laying/sitting on it. Here's the deal, when you buy one, we do have room in our warehouse to store it, that way you don't have to transport it to the lake and back every time you go on the boat. Just stop in the Ship Store to get a tube tag to put your name on!

How does the gas work?

The boats are full when they leave our dock. You use the boat and when you return to the dock the gas tank is topped off and you pay for what you've used. We accept all major credit cards on our dock.

Will we run out of gas?

No. Boats are full before leaving our dock and the tanks are too large for you to run through during your time on the water.

Why can we only buy gas at Rockvam's?

It's the point of your start and finish. It's also that we sell "boat gas" which is 89 Octane, Ethanol Free, Non-Oxygenated. Not all fueling stations on the lake sell this quality. If you mix this gas with standard "car" gasoline it is bad. There are a number of reasons, most important is that ethanol is harsh on rubber in boat engines. 

How much gas do you normally use on a typical boat club outing?

Tough Question. There are a number of factors that come into play. You have factors of the boat:  size of engine, how many people are on board, how much weight from gear. Next, you have weather factors: temperature and humidity along with wind and waves. The final factor is driving; when you stop to swim you are using zero gas, when you cruise slowly you use less gas, and if you drive wide open you're going through a whole bunch of gas! So if you have a hot/humid/windy day on a large engine boat with 10 people and gear you will go through much more gas than using the pontoon boat that is cruising along. The pontoon boat is the most fuel-efficient boat since the motors are 4-strokes. But if you are looking for a range, in the 2020 season we saw as little as $5 for pontoons and $100 for big engine boats. The average was around $45.

Is it hard to drive a boat?

Driving the boat is easy, docking the boat is where you need some confidence and skill. There are courses offered through the Minnetonka Power Squadron. One of the best ways to become better at docking is to come out and practice. It is not dumb or stupid to reserve a boat and come out and practice. Reserve a smaller boat on a weekday evening and just come out and go in and out of the slips. Then go out on the open water and get used to handling the boat. Pontoons drive differently from runabouts because they catch the wind faster. Again, practice. Ask our staff for some helpful hints.

Is it hard to tie up a boat?

The boats all have tie lines permanently attached to the boat. If you ask our boat club concierge, they'll give you a brief run-through on how to tie up a boat.

What if we have an emergency on the water?

911 is available on all parts of the lake via your cell phone. The lake is patrolled by the Hennepin County Water Patrol for emergencies. The neighboring fire departments also have fire boats. If you have an emergency, call 911. It's best to know where you are. If a friend on your boat has a GPS/mapping feature on their phone have them open it to show your location. If you do not know your location, give the 911 operator the color/style of your boat. Also use specific landmarks you see, don't say trees and docks. Water Towers are a great landmark, the position of the sun, golf courses, bridges, etc. "Boating courtesy" is part of the boating lifestyle. If you see someone driving by - flag them down by waving your arms in distress. Also, when you see the water patrol boat in the distance, make sure to wave your arms and keep waving them until they arrive at your boat. Just because you see them does not mean they see you. Stay calm and please call us to keep us informed.

Do we need to bring life jackets?

Nope. All basic safety items to keep you legal on the waters will be provided including life jackets, cushion throw, and a fire extinguisher.

Do you have kids/children's life jackets?

Of course. We provide all of the basic safety equipment. We don't necessarily have the most fashionable options, but we do make you legal.

Can someone show me how to run the boat?

We will give you general operational knowledge and have also included instructional videos on our website. But we do not take you out past the dock for instruction. We recommend the Minnetonka Power Squadron's boating courses.

Are there boating classes to take?

Yes, contact the Minnetonka Power Squadron for a variety of offerings. Also, check out the ABC boating course (American Boating Council).

Do I need a boat license?

Nope. We recommend acquiring boating knowledge and there are courses available, but Minnesota does not have a watercraft requirement if you are over 18 years old.

Are there things in the water that bite?

Sure! But it's pretty rare. There are fish with teeth such as muskies. There are turtles with teeth like snapping turtles. But the good news is, they normally leave you alone... no sharks or alligators! If you step on a turtle it will bite you. If you hang your foot over the edge of the boat with an anklet that sparkles in the sun... a musky will go after it just like a fishing lure. More good news... Lake Minnetonka is a freshwater lake that is healthy, if there is a rare problem with the water quality it will be in the news.

What happens if we break down? If the boat is not working/turning on, what do I do? Who do I call?

We hope that doesn't happen. We do routine maintenance weekly to help prevent a malfunction of the engine. But if something happens, just call us at 952-471-9515. Sometimes we can diagnose the problem over the phone and could be as simple as the safety lanyard laying on the floor preventing the boat from starting.

What if we damage a boat?

No one sets out to damage the boat, but accidents occur. The boat club member is responsible for the first $1,900 dollars of damage per incident. After that our insurance kicks in. The most common form of damage is the propeller. While the lake is well marked, there are underwater obstructions such as rocks or driftwood. Propellers generally cost around $350 to repair. Before you go on the water you will be asked to "feel" the propeller, this is to make sure you have checked the prop prior to the start of your cruise. We want to make sure the prop is always in good condition. Props that have damage, even minor, create a wobble which is similar to a car's wheels being out of balance or alignment. This wobble can affect the internal gears. Therefore, we watch props close. 

If it's raining or storming can I still go out?  Do I have to come back?

You have to use your best judgment. There are times we can see a storm approaching via the sky or radar and we won't let the boat leave. We are an inland body of water and do not require a log plan. You don't have to file that you're heading to point A or point B - but guess what... when storms are brewing we like to know where you are! As a courtesy, please call us and let us know you're on your way, or you've pulled into a dock, just let us know you're safe.

What do the buoys mean?

Bouy's are floating navigational signals on the lake. They mark your navigational path. You'll see them marking the channel, rock piles, or points of land. We recommend picking up a boating guide from the Minnesota DNR to get a full understanding of the system. But when they teach kids basic navigation they use the phrase, "Red and Green in between... Black and White out of sight". Red and green buoys mark channels so you want to stay in between and black/white stripe buoys are marking a hazard like a rock pile or land point so you need to go around them. 

Where can we go on the lake?

Anywhere that you can navigate. You can go to a city like Wayzata or Excelsior and dock at the public docks, get off the boat and walk around. There are lots of places to get ice cream. You can stop and float. You can go swimming, tubing, cruising. Get a historical book and start finding landmarks. There are lots of places to visit by boat. 

Where can we go off the lake?

Even better... you have restaurants in Mound and Spring Park. If you need to exercise, the Dakota Trail is at the top of the hill next to our marina. This is a paved trail from Wayzata to Hutchinson. Take a bike ride or run then go on the boat. Visit the Cottagewood General Store or the many cute shops in downtown Excelsior. Take time to go to the historical museums in Mound and Excelsior. Gosh, so much to do... even ride the trolley!

What is there to do in Spring Park?

Food! Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge, The Minnetonka Drive-In, Back Channel Brewing Co., and more. You should go the Drive-In and eat in your car once... that experience doesn't come along much anymore. You can also walk the trail... you drive under the bridges over Seaton Channel...why not walk over it, too? Go play tennis at the public courts. 

What is Big Island like?

Depends. It can be VERY busy or VERY quiet. It just depends on the day of the week. But if anyone has ever heard of Lake Minnetonka, they'll ask if you've been to Big Island. Might as well check it out!

Where is there a place to eat on the lake?

Besides docking in Excelsior or Wayzata, depending on the size of boat you're on... you can get to Caribou Coffee in Mound and Dunn Bros or Starbucks in Excelsior. You can eat at Lord Fletcher's, Maynards, COV, 6Smith, Macanda, or Lost Bay. There are just a bunch of places!  Don't forget Domino's delivers along with Joey Nova's (take your pizza on the boat). Even the Drive-In has "to go" options and Back Channel Brewing Co. has food trucks!

Where is there a place to swim?

You can float and swim. You can go to Family Beach in Maxwell Bay, the south side of Goose Island, Wawatosa Island, Big Island, and many more!  

Where is there a place to ski or tube that is calm?

North Arm, Jennings Bay, and Maxwell Bay along with Wooded Shores have nice long runs.

Where are the bathrooms on the lake?

Restaurants, Marinas, Water Patrol, Wayzata Beach, Surfside Park, and Excelsior Commons are just a few... many more places than you think!

This sounds great! When can I start boating?

Stop in our Ship's Store and fill out a contract or call us at 952-471-9515 and we can take a deposit over the phone, mail you a contract, and answer any of your questions.