Rentals

All Mt. Dora Boating Center boat rentals include everything you need for a wonderful day on the water.

Luxurious Tritoons:

• Starcraft VX 22 luxury tri-toon boats with all the bells and whistles.
• Loads of space for up to 10 passengers plus gear.
• Rear facing lounge seats, both port & starboard sides.
• Full tank of fuel. Tank will be re-filled upon return at renter expense.
• Vinyl flooring to keep floors clean; no worries about minor spills.
• GPS
• Harris Chain of Lakes Navigation Map (stays on the boat after rental).
• All safety equipment for 10 people (child size life vests available upon request).
• Oversized + powered bimini top.
• Depth finder
• AM/FM stereo, Bluetooth w/ 4 speakers.
• Thorough pre-rental instruction.

Starcraft Deck Boat:

• SVX 191 luxury deck boat with all the bells and whistles.
• Loads of space for up to 10 passengers plus gear.
• Bench seating rear, port side and front starboard side.
• Full tank of fuel. Tank will be re-filled upon return at renter expense.
• Fiberglass cockpit liner and floor.
• Harris Chain of Lakes navigation map. (stays on the boat after rental)
• GPS
• All safety equipment for 10 people. (child size life vests available upon request.)
• Oversized bimini top.
• Premium AM/FM stereo, Bluetooth, w/ 4 speakers.
• Thorough pre-rental instruction.

Our staff will answer all your questions and give great advice on where to go and sights to see!

• Renters must be 21  years of age and have a valid driver’s license.
• Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 must have a certified Florida boaters safety education ID. Get a free boater’s safety card by taking the exam online here.
• Renters will be held responsible for any damage or excessive wear & tear to boat.
• Credit card required for reservation. Payment will be required at time reservation is booked.
• Maximum capacity for a Starcraft VX 22 Triton boat is 10 people.
• Maximum capacity for the Starcraft SVX 191 deck boat is 10 people.
• All reservation and payments are non-refundable.  Cancellations are permitting 24 hours prior to your departure time.  A gift certificate will be issued for use at a later date.  Cancellations within 24 hours or a no show will forfeit payment.  In the event of inclement weather options are to reschedule for a different day or a gift certificate may be issued for the amount of the rental.  Gift certificates are valid for one year (365 days) from the original reservation date.
• Rental performance obligation is considered fulfilled once renter has departed with the boat.  Renter’s decision to terminate rental prematurely due to weather or unforeseen circumstances will not be refunded or rescheduled.
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted on board nor should they be consumed at any time by the operator during the rental.
• Basic boat handling skills are recommended. Staff will provide operational tips prior to departure.

All reservations and payments are non-refundable. Cancellations are permitted up to 24 hours prior to your scheduled departure time and will receive a gift certificate for use at a later date. Gift certificates are valid for one year (365 days) from the original reservation date.

Due to the high demand for our rental boats, which are often booked weeks in advance, any cancellation made within 24 hours of the scheduled departure time will result in a $100 late cancellation fee. No show will result in forfeiture of the payment entirely. Same-day cancellations prevent other potential renters from booking a boat that would otherwise have been rented. So, the late fee will be used as a discount to those renters who would have otherwise been able to book.

In the event of unsafe weather, Mount Dora Boating Center may allow rescheduling for a different day or may issue a gift certificate for the amount of the rental. All weather-related decisions are at the sole discretion of Mount Dora Boating Center, not the customer.

Rental performance obligation is considered fulfilled once the renter has departed with the boat. A renter’s decision to terminate the rental early due to weather or unforeseen circumstances will not be refunded or rescheduled.

• Renter & Boat Captains must be sufficiently fluent in the English language to understand navigational signs, charts, communicate instructions and signals, respond to official inquiries, and to accept agreements, documents, and instruction regarding rental and safety training.
• We suggest renters arrive approximately 15-30 minutes in advance of their confirmed reservations to check-in.
• Alcohol is not permitted.
• Renters must be 25 years of age and have a valid driver’s license.
• Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 must have a certified Florida boaters safety education ID. Get a free boater’s safety card by taking the exam online here.
• Renters will be held responsible for any damage or excessive wear & tear to boat.  A credit hold of  $750 on Tri-toons and $1,000.00 on deck boats will be placed on the credit card used for your reservation as a security deposit during your rental.  The hold will be release upon your return with the boat in the same condition as when it left.
• Credit card required for reservation. Payment will be required at time reservation is booked.
• Maximum capacity for a Starcraft VX 22 tri-toon is 10 people.
• Maximum capacity for the Starcraft SVX 191 deck boat is 10 people.
• All reservation and payments are non-refundable.  Cancellations are permitted 24 hours prior to your departure time.  A gift certificate will be issued for use at a later date.  Cancellations within 24 hours or a no show will forfeit payment.  In the event of inclement weather options are to reschedule for a different day or a gift certificate may be issued for the amount of the rental.  Gift certificates are valid for one year (365 days) from the original reservation date.
• Rental performance obligation is considered fulfilled once renter has departed with the boat.  Renter’s decision to terminate rental prematurely due to weather or unforeseen circumstances will not be refunded or rescheduled.
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted on board nor should they be consumed at any time by the operator during the rental.
• Basic boat handling skills are recommended. Staff will provide operational tips prior to departure.
• Mt. Dora Boating Center strictly reserves the right to refuse or cancel rentals to unruly, unsafe, intoxicated or raucous individuals or groups.
• All boats must be returned on time, no later than 4:30PM regardless of departure time.  Returning boats after this time will be subject to late fees.  Our late rate is $50.00 for every 30 minutes past the return time.

Q. Is there a cooler on board?

A. No, there are no coolers. There is plenty of room for one and we encourage you to bring your own with plenty of water and snacks, just no alcohol please!  We do sell ice.

Q. Is there a restroom or porta-potty on board?

A. No, but there are plenty of other options. The Harris Chain of Lakes has a great number of restaurants, parks, and marinas with facilities much more comfortable and pleasant.

Q. Can we fish off the boats?

A. Yes, absolutely. There are no live wells so come prepared. Also be careful with hooks and the upholstery. These are new boats so you’ll be responsible for snags, rips, tears, and any unusual amount of cleaning the boat might need.

Q. Are there any restaurants on the lakes?

A. Yes, there are quite a few. We’ll provide you with this map (link to updated Harris Chain Map) showing the most popular ones along with parks and other points of interest.

Q. Do I have to bring the boat back with a full tank of gas like the car rental places?

A. We will gas the boat up, and you will be charged for fuel used during your rental.

Q. Is the boat covered? Does it have any shade?

A. Yes, all of our boats are equipped with bimini tops shading the back half.

Q. Do I have to have boating experience?

A. It is recommended but not required. Pontoon boats are slower moving, easier craft to handle. We provide some handling tips and make sure you’re comfortable with the operation before sending you out.

Q. Will I lose my money if I don’t cancel and don’t show up for the rental.

A. Yes. Check the AVAILABILITY & CANCELLATION policy for details and options.

Q. Do I need a reservation?

A. Reservations are recommended to be sure a boat will be ready when you are. If it’s a nice day and you’re suddenly struck with the need to get on the water, give us a call at (352) 383-3150.

Q: How much gas will we use during a full day rental?

A: It depends on how far and how fast you run the boat.  Average cruising speed (27-30 mph) in the 150 HP Yamaha will burn 3 to 4 gallons an hour.  Higher speeds and water sports will use more fuel.  You can expect to use 15 to 20 gallons during an average day rental.  93 octane ethanol free marine fuel runs $5 to $6.50 per gallon.

Q: Can you ski behind the boats?

A: Yes.  Water skiing and wake boarding behind a rope at least 60’ long are permitted.  Wake surfing and swim deck surfing are absolutely prohibited.  Skis and wake boards are not available for rent.

Q: Can you tube behind the boats?

A: Yes. Tubes andapproved, type III personal flotation device, and ropes are allowed and available for rent. Check with us at the time of rental for availability and pricing.

Q: May I take a rental through an operating lock?

A:  No. Our rental boats may only be operated on Lakes Carlton, Beauclair, Dora, Eustis, Harris and Little Lake Harris.

Q: Are pets allowed?

A:  Yes, however, it’s best to keep them off the seats.  Claws and vinyl upholstery are not a good mix!  Renters will be responsible for any pet related damage or excessive pet hair clean-up.

Q: Must the boat be returned on time?

A: Yes. In order for us to fuel and prepare the boat for its next rental, return times are strictly enforced. A late fee of $50.00 will be charged for every 30 minutes the return is overdue.

Q: Will I lose my time if weather or any unforeseen circumstances leads me to end my rental early.

A: Yes. Our obligation to provide the rental is completed once the boat has left the dock.

Q: Am I responsible for any damage to the boat during my rental?

A: Yes, renters are responsible for any damage or excessive wear & tear on the boat.  A credit hold of  $750 on tri-toons and $1,000.00 on deck boats, will be placed on the credit card used for your reservation as a security deposit during your rental.  The hold will be released upon your return with the boat in the same condition as when it left.