Frequently Asked Questions

 Boater Requirements & Safety Expectations

A) Experience & Responsibility
Renting a boat means you take full responsibility for the vessel, your crew, and yourself. Any damage to the boat or equipment is your financial responsibility.

B) Boater Safety Certification

• If you were born after January 1, 1989, you must have a boater safety certificate to legally operate a boat.
• If you were born before this date, you are exempt but still expected to have adequate experience.

C) Experience Requirements

• Ideally, renters should own or have previously owned a boat.
• If not, you must have significant boating experience—at least 30 days on the water is a good baseline. (For comparison, the Coast Guard requires 360 days for a commercial captain’s license.)
• CB-Boats.com may ask more details on your experience.

D) Communication renters must be able to communicate about their experience, their float plan, and general boating knowledge in English. Insurance was clear that the renter cannot use a translator, communicating in English is required. 

E) Offshore Boating in the Apostle Islands
The Apostle Islands are not sheltered waters—this is offshore boating on Lake Superior.

• Respect the lake’s vastness, or she will teach you why you should.
• Conditions change fast. Calm waters on the way out can turn into a challenging return if waves build.
• Stay within your comfort and skill level when venturing further into the islands.

Safety and preparation are key to an enjoyable trip. If you're unsure, ask—we’d rather have you over-prepared than in over your head.

 Fuel Costs & Efficiency

In 2024, fuel costs for rentals have ranged from $50 to $175, depending on speed, distance, and conditions.

• Smooth and steady driving = better fuel efficiency. Renters who kept their speed moderate used significantly less fuel.
• High fuel usage example: The $175 fuel cost was from a full tour around the islands by a local professional mariner showing his family all the sights.

💡 Plan accordingly: Assume your boat gets less than 3 miles per gallon when budgeting for fuel.

 Max Capacity refers to the maximum number of people or total weight a boat can safely handle before becoming unstable or performing poorly. It accounts for both the number of passengers and their combined weight.

A few important things to keep in mind:

• Less is better. Boats perform best when they’re not overloaded. While it may be tempting to squeeze in one more person, it negatively affects handling, stability, and overall safety.
• Coast Guard enforcement. The Coast Guard strictly enforces capacity limits and will tow in any boat exceeding its limit.
• Rental limits for safety. Our rental agreements set capacity limits lower than the legal maximum to ensure safety and comfort.
• Capacity plates can be misleading. The legal capacity assumes an average weight of around 125 lbs per person, which is often unrealistic.

🚨 Every person counts. Infants, toddlers, and small children are still passengers and are included in the capacity count. Trying to argue otherwise won’t inspire confidence in your understanding of marine safety.

Rental Boat Capacities

• Boston Whaler: 6 people (seating is limited)
• Deck Boat: 9 people
• Lund: 5 people
• Scarab: 3 people

Prioritizing safety ensures a better experience for everyone. If you have any questions, just ask!

 Yes, dogs are welcome aboard — but please use common sense. Not all dogs enjoy boating, and not all boats are ideal for all dogs. Smaller, calm dogs tend to do better than large or energetic ones. Multiple dogs are discouraged unless it's truly manageable.

A few important rules:

• Supervision: Each dog must have a designated person holding their leash during docking to prevent chaos, damage, or injury.
   
• Safety Gear: A dog life jacket or harness is highly recommended. If your dog falls in, you’ll want to lift them safely — not by the neck.
   
• Capacity Limits: Dogs count toward the boat’s passenger capacity.
   
• Clean Up: Please remove all dog hair from the boat, especially from scuppers and drain holes. Clogged drains have caused serious issues, including bilge pump failure.
   

We love dogs — but we also love safe and clean boats. Thanks for understanding!

 Recommended Destinations & Boating Boundaries

• Madeline Island is the easiest and most accessible destination, featuring a town, public docks, and restaurant docks—a great option for a relaxed trip.
• The Apostle Islands offer breathtaking scenery and endless opportunities for exploration, but focus on the nearer islands rather than venturing too far.

Distance & Safety Guidelines

• Outer Island: Strictly off-limits.
• Devils Island: Allowed only on perfect weather days. If you plan to go, you must discuss your route with me first to ensure you fully understand the offshore distance and risks.
• Stockton Island: A great reference point for understanding the scale of the area. It’s a frequently visited destination and a good starting point for exploring the Apostles.

💡 If in doubt, stay closer. Lake Superior’s conditions can change quickly, and distance matters more than it seems.

a) No. All boats must be returned to the trailers before dark.

 Weather Policy & Cancellations

A) Fair-Weather Boating
We operate in good conditions to ensure a safe, successful, and enjoyable experience.

• Winds over 15 mph: You’ll have the option to cancel or reschedule. In some cases, I may still allow departures depending on wind direction and other factors.
• Winds of 20+ mph: Automatic cancellation.
• Light rain: We do not cancel for light rain, but we will cancel for storms.

Ultimately, I won’t send boats out unless conditions allow for a safe and enjoyable trip.

B) Small Craft Warnings = Automatic Cancellation

• If the Government Marine Forecast issues a SMALL CRAFT WARNING (in all caps), your booking is automatically canceled.
• No exceptions. Even TowBoatUS won’t recover vessels in such conditions, and my insurance would not be pleased.

Safety always comes first—if you're unsure, ask, and I’ll help you make the best call.

Can we reserve both Saturday and Sunday in case the weather doesn't cooperate?
We totally understand wanting a backup plan! However, we can’t hold a day unless you plan to use it. That said, if the weather isn’t looking great and there’s availability, I’m always happy to adjust your reservation when possible.

If someone books a boat for a specific day, that day is theirs. Booking for 4 or more days gives you more flexibility—missing one due to weather has less of an impact. But if both days of your reservation have great weather, we expect the booking to be used as planned.

• CB-Boats.com provides all Coast Guard-required safety equipment.
• Extra boating gear can be exchanged at the shop. Boats are equiped with dock lines, fenders, 2 anchors, VHF, and GPS (Except Scarab Jet Boat).
• Always be prepared for Lake Superior to be cooler than expected.
  • Sweaters and even winter jackets can come in handy, even in mid-summer.
• Food and water are important survival equipment in case of delays on the water.
• Sunglasses are often necessary to see clearly in marinas.
• Additionally, pack refreshments and any equipment you will enjoy while exploring Chequamegon Bay and the Apostle Islands.

No.

No, all participants in the rental must sign the participation waiver and depart/return with the rental. People who think they can do this are underestimating the distances between islands. 

No. Logistically it is not currently feasible. 

No. No tow sports. No engine running when people in water. Key in cup holder when people in water so no one bumps key with butt and causes major injury or death.