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Take the helm of a Monterey M6 on Lake Minnetonka with a first mate at your side—luxury seating, steady performance, and on-the-water coaching make this an ideal dayboat for groups. Perfect for swimming, island-hopping, or a comfortable cruise from historic Excelsior.
Take the helm of a Monterey M6 on Lake Minnetonka with a first mate at your side—luxury seating, steady performance, and on-the-water coaching make this an ideal dayboat for groups. Perfect for swimming, island-hopping, or a comfortable cruise from historic Excelsior.
Book with Tonka Boat Rentals
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Operated by Tonka Boat Rentals · Excelsior, Minnesota
Lake Minnetonka's wide, indented shoreline is where you'll find the Bareboat Charter with First Mate - Monterey M6 (Excelsior), launching from 2 Water St, Excelsior, MN 55331, USA. This glacially carved lake, threaded with bays and islands, offers an ideal setting for a hands-on day on the water with modern comforts.
Step aboard the Monterey M6, a luxury sport cruiser built for social days and confident handling. The M6’s broad cockpit and plush seating give room for up to 12 people to spread out, sun, sip, and move easily between swim platform and shaded areas. Underway it delivers a steady, controlled ride thanks to a deep‑V hull and responsive throttle; at anchor its stability makes dining, lounging, or teaching aboard straightforward. A first mate accompanies your charter to provide hands-on assistance and on-the-water instruction while you retain command, so licensed drivers can build skill without giving up the helm.
The scene here is specific: open lake expanses, narrow channels, tree-lined shorelines and small rocky islands punctuate the route. Key features include the narrows near Excelsior, shallow sandy pockets popular for swimming, and granite outcrops that break the surface around some islands. Lake Minnetonka’s basins and peninsulas are a direct result of last-glacial sculpting, producing drop-offs, coves, and the clear shoals favored by anglers and swimmers alike. Wildlife sightings—common loons, great blue herons, and circling bald eagles—add natural drama to a day of cruising.
There’s a local historical layer too: by the late 1800s Lake Minnetonka had become a major summer resort zone, and remnants of that era — boathouses and waterfront hotels — still line parts of the shore. What makes this charter stand out is the combination of a high-end, comfortable platform and a training-first approach: the first mate’s guidance elevates a typical rental into an on-water refresher that’s practical and safe for new pilots.
Choose a two-hour outing for a quick spin and swim or an eight-hour day to island-hop, visit waterfront restaurants, and anchor in quiet coves. Bookings accommodate groups up to 12 people and require a valid boating license; the first mate helps with training and safety briefings. Meeting point details are provided before your rental. Bring sun protection, layers, and a waterproof bag. This charter is a refined way to explore Lake Minnetonka’s shoreline and sample Excelsior’s waterfront culture.
Yes; a valid boating license is required to operate the charter—customers must present license details before departure.
The boat accommodates a maximum of 12 people, making it well-suited for family outings or small groups.
Meeting point details are provided before your rental; the charter launches from 2 Water St, Excelsior, MN 55331, USA.
The first mate assists, provides training, and can help with navigation and safety, but the licensed renter retains command unless otherwise arranged.
Yes—most bookings allow time to anchor in protected coves for swimming and to visit waterfront restaurants or picnic on islands when permitted.
The first mate will advise on conditions; operators typically monitor forecasts and may reschedule or shorten trips in strong winds, storms, or unsafe visibility.
Tonka Boat Rentals is a lakeside boat rental company based in Excelsior, Minnesota that specializes in bareboat and captained charters on Lake Minnetonka. The company provides a fleet of well-maintained recreational boats including Monterey models (M4, M6, 204 FSX, 205) and Sea Ray and Larson vessels for day trips, swimming, cruising, and entertaining. Tonka Boat Rentals offers both bareboat charters for licensed captains who want to pilot their own outing and captained charters for guests who prefer an experienced captain to handle navigation and safety. Trips depart from Excelsior, providing direct access to the bays, shorelines, and landmarks of Lake Minnetonka. Reservations can be made for private daytime outings, small group gatherings, family excursions, and social celebrations that require flexible boat sizes and layouts. Safety briefings, boat orientation, and local route guidance are provided as part of charter preparation to help guests enjoy a relaxed experience on the water. The fleet's variety of models supports activities such as cruising, swimming from swim platforms, sunbathing, and lakeside sightseeing. Many models feature spacious seating, swim platforms, and smooth rides suitable for relaxing or entertaining on the water. Guests can anchor to swim, picnic on board, or cruise past lakeside estates for scenic viewing. Bookable by online reservation today.
Book with Tonka Boat Rentals