Houseboat Rentals
It is usually necessary to book 6-9 months in advance to get the date you want, but cancellations do offer the opportunity for last minute reservations.
A midweek rental is Monday-Thursday. So you depart on the boat Monday morning 8am or after and return between 11am-1pm on Thursday. You do have the option of doing the sleep-on which is boarding the boat Sunday evening any time after 5:00PM.
A weekend rental is Friday-Sunday. So you depart on the boat Friday morning 8am or after and return between 11am-1pm on Sunday. You do have the option of doing the sleep-on which is boarding the boat Thursday evening any time after 5:00PM.
We stagger the boats between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm because there are 4 houseboats that all come back to the same dock to unload and fill with fuel. We do “first out, first in.” When you depart from our docks, we will tell you a return time based on what order you leave our docks. If you need to come in sooner than 11:00 am, please let us know so we can be ready for you at the gas dock.
Houseboats: Cancellations made 90 days prior to the day of your schedule departure will receive full deposit refund minus $50 rebooking fee. Cancellations between 90 and 60 days will receive deposit refund minus 20% re-booking fee. Cancellations between 60 days and 30 days will receive deposit refund minus 50% re-booking fee. Cancellations made within 30 days of rental will forfeit 100% of deposit.
A $1000 security/damage deposit is charged to your card at the time of booking. The full deposit will be mailed to you in the form of a check within 24 hours after return of the undamaged boat. If damage is found, your security deposit will be used as immediate payment towards those damages. Should the damage caused exceed the security deposit, the customer is responsible for the immediate full payment of the damages claimed by S & S Rentals. The cost of the damages will be determined at the sole discretion of S & S Rentals and payment is due and payable immediately by the customer. Please note: any boat reported or observed operating in an unsafe manner, will result in forfeiture of security deposit and rental fee. There will be no refunds for early returns or late departures.
Our limits are La Crosse, WI to the north and Prairie Du Chien, WI to the south. This gives you 61 miles of travel area one way from the north to the south limits. The reason we have limits is so we can get to you in a timely manner if you have any issues.
In Iowa – you do not need a boating license to rent a boat, but you must have a valid driver’s license. You must be 21 to sign the rental contract.
To anchor a houseboat on a beach, you must have someone capable of lifting and maneuvering the large anchors. If you do not feel comfortable doing this or would prefer not to, we do offer the assisted rental which you can find on our website for more information.
All watercrafts are full of gas when you leave and will be refueled at our marina upon your return. You will be charged for the gasoline and oil used. Rental prices quoted do not include gasoline, oil or sales tax. The Monticello, Sharpe, and Sunstar houseboats are equipped with a 190 gallon fuel tank. The tank is filled before your trip begins. Your most economical cruising speed, 2,000 RPM, will use 3.5 to 4 gallons per hour. If you cruise for 6 hours, you will use about 24 gallons of gasoline. The generator also uses fuel. Fuel usage is at the renter’s discretion. Our average midweek/weekend houseboat rental uses around $300-$350 of fuel.
Iowa and Wisconsin residents must have a valid fishing license from their state. Nonresident anglers are required to purchase a Wisconsin nonresident license which gives reciprocity within our waters. As always, check with the Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota DNR for the most up to date requirements. A Wisconsin fishing license is not available in Lansing but an Iowa fishing license is. Bait and tackle are available for purchase in Lansing.
No. However, we offer a Major Damage Waiver for our houseboats only. This applies only to the property of S&S Rentals. It includes the drive unit propeller, and equipment inventory. This does not cover any third party property or personal injury. The cost of coverage is $50 per day plus tax. After payment of the $1000 security deposit as a deductible, S&S will repair or replace damages over the $1000 damage deposit at their cost but only up to $25,000. Without the Major Damage Waiver, the renter is responsible for any and all damage, loss, or breakage incurred to the houseboat. *Note: This is NOT insurance. It is a Major Damage Waiver offered personally through S&S Rentals for S&S property only. For third party or personal injury/liability, we recommend discussing this with your personal insurance agent. We DO NOT offer the Major Damage Waiver for our pontoons and fishing boats.
A “sleep on” allows you to arrive after 5:00 PM on the day before your embarkation. You will move onto your boat, but stay at the dock that night. In the morning of your embarkation you will be given your instructions. The cost is $150, plus sales tax, per boat. This is free of charge for all returning houseboat customers.
The Monticello and Party Top Sharpe boats are set up, furnished and recommended to have no more than 10 people on board. The Sunstar is set up, furnished and recommended to have no more than 6 people on board. The maximum legal limit on the Monticello and Party Top Sharpe boats is 12 people. The maximum legal limit on the Sunstar is 8 people.
Yes – the listed boat capacity is for all people, regardless of age.
Yes – each boat is equipped with all items required by law to be legal on the river, including adult life jackets for the capacity of the boat. There is an extra anchor and lines on each boat as well.
Children under age 13 in Iowa and age 12 in Wisconsin must wear a vest at all times while on the water, whether the boat is docked, anchored, or in motion. They DO NOT need to wear a life jacket if they are inside a houseboat. We have a small stock of children’s vests, but we recommend bringing jackets/vests for your children if you have them. This will ensure a proper fit.
Yes, each houseboat must be picked-up and returned to the home port of S & S Rentals.
Due to safety and insurance restrictions, you are not allowed to drive your houseboat after dark. There are many sandy beaches along the river perfect to spend the night. You may also dock at S & S Rentals for the night; please call us so we can be there to assist you. We do not want you docking at our marina without our assistance.
Yes, by towing your ski boat or personal watercraft, you have additional ways to enjoy the river.
Yes – alcohol is allowed on the boat and may be consumed while underway but you must follow state & national alcohol consumption guidelines. You can get ticketed and/or arrested on the water for OWI (operating while intoxicated) with a BAC of .08 or higher. *Glass is not allowed on shore.
Yes and for your convenience each houseboat is equipped with a BBQ grill.
Only well behaved dogs are welcomed on our boats. Any damages or extra cleaning will be charged against the damage deposit.
Food and beverages, children’s life jackets, binoculars, camera, flashlight, cell phone, bath towels, wash clothes, paper towels, paper plates, fishing license and gear, ice chest, beach towels, first aid kit, suntan lotion, insect repellent, dramamine, dish soap, hand soap, garbage bags. **For customers with CPAP machines there are 2 options. Bring a deep cycle 12 volt battery and appropriate size 110 volt inverter or plug the boat into dockside shore power. The generator cannot run at night while all people are sleeping due to the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Because the generator is not allowed to be ran while sleeping for safety purposes, you will need a 12V Deep Cycle battery and an inverter (battery to AC power) for each CPAP. You can find both of these things at your local automotive store. When plugged into dockside shore power at a marina, you can use any outlet on the boat.
Pontoon/Fishing Boat Rentals
It is usually necessary to book 2 months in advance for weekends to get the date you want, but cancellations do offer the opportunity for last minute reservations.
Your rental period is from 8:00AM-4:30PM. It is your boat for the day so you may come and go as you please. You do not have to be here at 8:00AM for your boat; however, the rental period will end at 4:30PM regardless.
Fishing/Pontoon Boats: We require 72 hours notice for a full refund minus $25 rebooking fee. No refunds with less than 72 hour notice. S&S Rentals does not allow cancellations for less than ideal weather conditions. If S&S Rentals determines that conditions are unsafe due to high winds, lightning or rain, S&S Rentals will call or text the Renter to cancel. Renter can reschedule the rental or be issued a full refund.
There is no deposit for pontoons and fishing boats. You pay for the rental in full upon booking. We do require a credit card to hold upon arrival in case there are damages. If damage is found, the card will be used as immediate payment towards those damages. The customer is responsible for the immediate full payment of the damages claimed by S & S Rentals. The cost of the damages will be determined at the sole discretion of S & S Rentals and payment is due and payable immediately by the customer. Please note: any boat reported or observed operating in an unsafe manner, will result in forfeiture of any remaining rental period and rental fee. There will be no refunds for early returns or late departures.
Our limits are Genoa, WI to the north and Lynxville, WI to the south (lock and dam to lock and dam). We do not allow any of our daily rentals to lock through the lock and dam. This gives you 32 miles of travel area one way from the north to the south limits. The reason we have limits is so we can get to you in a timely manner if you have any issues as well as to prevent you from getting stuck at the locks due to barge traffic and missing your return time.
No, prior to your departure, we will go through the boat with you, provide a map for you and go through basic boat operation on the Mississippi River.
In Iowa – you do not need a boating license to rent a boat, but you must have a valid driver’s license. You must be 21 to sign the rental contract.
All watercraft’s are full of gas when you leave and will be refueled at our marina upon your return. You will be charged for the gasoline and oil used. Rental prices quoted do not include gasoline, oil or sales tax.
Pontoon and fishing boats average between $50-$75 depending on cruising time, weight and speed.
Iowa and Wisconsin residents must have a valid fishing license from their state. Nonresident anglers are required to purchase a Wisconsin nonresident license which gives reciprocity within our waters. As always, check with the Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota DNR for the most up to date requirements. A Wisconsin fishing license is not available in Lansing but an Iowa fishing license is. Bait and tackle are available for purchase in Lansing.
No. We DO NOT offer insurance nor the Major Damage Waiver for our pontoons and fishing boats. For third party or personal injury/liability, we recommend discussing this with your personal insurance agent.
Yes – the listed boat capacity is for all people, regardless of age.
Yes – each boat is equipped with all items required by law to be legal on the river, including adult life jackets for the capacity of the boat. There is an anchor and lines on each boat as well.
Children under age 13 in Iowa and age 12 in Wisconsin must wear a vest at all times while on the water, whether the boat is docked, anchored, or in motion. They DO NOT need to wear a life jacket if they are inside a houseboat. We have a small stock of children’s vests, but we recommend bringing jackets/vests for your children if you have them. This will ensure a proper fit.
Yes, each boat must be picked-up and returned to the home port of S & S Rentals.
Due to safety and insurance restrictions, we do not allow overnight rentals on our pontoon and fishing boats.
Yes – alcohol is allowed on the boat and may be consumed while underway but you must follow state & national alcohol consumption guidelines. You can get ticketed and/or arrested on the water for OWI (operating while intoxicated) with a BAC of .08 or higher. *Glass is not allowed on shore.
Only well behaved dogs are welcomed on our boats. Any damages or extra cleaning will be charged against the credit card on hold.
No – none of our pontoon boats are equipped with either bathrooms or porta-potties. We do have a bathroom at our marina that you may use.
None of our pontoon boats are equipped with refrigerators but you are welcome to bring coolers. Snacks and drinks are encouraged!
