With the sixth largest natural lake in the nation, Vermont is the perfect place for renting a boat and hitting the water. Also the Black, White, West, Connecticut, and Battenkill rivers provide some of the best fishing in the country, so why not grab a rental, tour, or charter? Whether it’s a small fishing boat or a kayak, here are the 9 best places for boat rentals in Vermont!
Located along the shores of Lake Champlain, Apple Island offers boat rentals, such as pontoons, pedal boats, kayaks, canoes, and row boats. Enjoy the serene beauty of the nation’s sixth-largest freshwater lake. Offering a generous parking area and campground, Apple Island invites you for the weekend, and you’ll find a fuel dock, batteries, charts, fishing supplies, ice, and beverages. And cross the road to find sandwiches, ice cream, and more at the general store.
Offering car top rentals, like canoes and kayaks, or on the water rentals and classes at Waterbury Reservoir and North Beach, Burlington, you’ll find all your small boat needs at Umiak. Umiak is also a full-service outfitter that offers retail sales of over 85 models, like boat demos, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.
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Woodard Marine is a family owned and operated business that was based on the founder’s custom wooden boat-building work in the 1920s. Many of these boats went on to win awards, and, in the 1960s, a business was born. Slowly, the custom wooden boat-building business gave way to the sale of manufactured fiberglass boats, but the care and attention to the customer stayed strong. Woodard Marine offers rentals for fishing boats, ski boats, runabout boats, and pontoon boats.
Marine Plus is a full-service marine facility that offers boat sales, service, rentals, and storage. An authorized dealer of Carolina Skiff, Tohatsu, Lowe, Mercury, and more, they have it all. Marine Plus is also the self-proclaimed largest and only boat rental service that allows multiple days and overnights pending appropriate mooring or dockage on location.
Now if you want to rent a boat that comes with a captain, then you have got to call Champlain Charters. Spend the afternoon on an isolated beach, view Vermont’s Queen City from the water at sunset, enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and see the majestic Adirondack Mountains from a unique perspective. Charters are appropriate for corporate events, birthday parties, anniversaries, and more.
Clyde River Recreation provides high-quality equipment rentals and all-inclusive paddle trips. Enjoy fishing, paddling, or even just floating down this slow and meandering stretch of the Clyde River. The staff at CRR is courteous and informative, and, after your three hour-float down the lazy Clyde on kayak or canoe, you may come across some nesting loons as you cross Lake Salem.
If you want to see the waterways of Southern Vermont, you have got to check out the Vermont Canoe Touring Center. Located between the West River and the Connecticut River along Putney Road, the Vermont Canoe Touring Center specializes in canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals. You'll find no frills here, just a friendly knowledgeable staff, and miles of backwoods waterways to explore and paddle through.
Imagine sailing across the aquamarine waters while granite cliffs and green rise on one side and the mighty Adirondack Mountains consume another. Sailing out of the waters of Malletts Bay, Wild Air is captained by Captain Erol Bayar and is large enough to support entire families. Plus, you will have the option to help pilot the vessel or sit back and enjoy the sunset.
Ladds Landing Marina is well-equipped to provide you a safe and comfortable experience on the water. Rentals available include sail boats, small motorboats, kayaks, canoes, and rowing boats. Other services at Ladds Landing include a gas/diesel fuel dock, valet services, a store for parts, accessories, and snacks, and even a bathhouse and laundry facilities.