What to bring on a boat rental in Pittsburgh comes down to five things: sun protection, a warm layer, shoes that grip, a cooler with water and easy food, and a dry bag for your phone and keys. If you will drive and were born on or after January 1, 1982, also bring your Pennsylvania boating safety certificate.
That list covers a great day on the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. The rest of this guide goes item by item, explains what to leave at home, and covers the extras for kids and dogs. If you are still choosing a date, start with our pontoon boat rental in Pittsburgh page, then come back here the night before your trip and pack.
Our pontoons come ready to cruise, with seating, a bimini top for shade and life jackets on board. You bring the comfort items. Here is the list we suggest for every group:
The most important thing to bring is not in your cooler. In Pennsylvania, anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 who operates a boat with a motor over 25 horsepower must have a Boating Safety Education Certificate with them. Every pontoon in our fleet is above that, so if your driver falls in that age group, the certificate goes in the dry bag. You can take the course and get a card through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
A few of our own policies shape the packing list too:
For the full list of what renters need, read what you need to rent a boat in PA.
Sun on the river comes from above and bounces up off the water, so it is easy to burn on a cloudy day. Put sunscreen on before you board and again during the trip. Polarized sunglasses cut the glare, and a hat with a brim helps more than you would think.
It also feels cooler on the water once the boat is moving, especially in the morning, in the evening and under the bridges. Pack a light jacket or hoodie even in July.
A cooler is the heart of a good day on the rivers. Pack it the night before and keep it simple.
Bring more water than you think you need. Sun and breeze dry you out without you noticing. Freeze a few water bottles to use as ice packs that you can drink later. Cans and plastic bottles are a better choice than glass, since broken glass on a moving deck is a real hazard for bare feet and paws.
Pack food in containers that close, and bring a trash bag so nothing blows into the river. Remember that the driver may not operate the boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs, so plan for a sober driver from the start.
Kids have a great time on a pontoon when they are comfortable. The Fish and Boat Commission rules say children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket while underway on any boat 20 feet or shorter, and we suggest that every child keeps one on whenever the boat is moving.
Pack it all in one bag so it is easy to find on board.
Water and phones do not mix. A dry bag, or even a couple of heavy zip bags, keeps phones, keys, wallets and your boating certificate safe from splashes and rain. A waterproof phone pouch on a lanyard lets you take photos of the skyline without worrying about a drop over the side.
Charge your phone and a small battery pack the night before. Most of our pontoons have a Bluetooth capable stereo, so make a playlist ahead of time and save it for offline listening in case the signal dips along the riverbanks. Leave expensive jewelry at home, since anything that falls in the river is gone for good.
Dogs are welcome on our rentals, and a few extras make the day easier for your pup and your crew.
Your dog counts toward the boat's weight limit, so mention your pup when you book. Read more in our guide to bringing your pup on a pontoon.
Knowing what to leave in the car matters as much as the packing list.
Do most of the work the night before so the morning is easy. Pack the cooler, charge the phones, set out the jackets and sunscreen, and make sure your driver has their certificate in the dry bag.
In the morning, check the weather. We make the weather call on the morning of your rental, so a gloomy forecast the night before does not cancel anything. Our post on boating in the rain and what happens to your reservation explains how it works.
Then head to Vic's Boat Park at 1 River Rd in McKees Rocks, on the Ohio River just minutes from downtown. Our rentals run in 4 hour and 8 hour blocks between 9 AM and 9 PM, and boats go out back to back, so arriving on time gives you every minute of your trip.
On a rental, the boat comes ready with seating, shade and life jackets on board. You need sun protection, a warm layer, shoes with grip, water and snacks, and a dry bag for phones and keys. In Pennsylvania, drivers born on or after January 1, 1982 also need their boating safety certificate with them.
Pick food that is ready to eat, holds up in a cooler and does not make a mess. Wraps, sandwiches, cut fruit, veggies with dip, chips, crackers and trail mix all work well. Bring lots of water, choose cans or plastic over glass, and remember that stoves and grills are not allowed on our pontoons.
Leave stoves, grills and glass at home, along with messy or staining food, slippery shoes and anything valuable that is not waterproof. Skip extra bags and oversized gear, since every boat has a weight limit as well as a people limit. A trash bag is the one extra worth bringing so nothing blows into the river.
Wear light, quick drying clothes and bring a jacket or hoodie, since it feels cooler on the water once you are moving. Add a hat, polarized sunglasses and sunscreen. Choose water shoes or sandals with good grip, because wet decks get slick. A dry change of clothes for the ride home is always a good idea.
Yes, dogs are welcome on our rentals. Bring a dog life jacket, a water bowl with fresh water, a towel and a leash for the dock. Your dog adds weight toward the boat's limit, so mention your pup when you book so we can help you choose the right pontoon.
Packed and ready? Compare our pontoon fleet and book your time on Pittsburgh's three rivers.
Join our community and enjoy incredible savings while embarking on unforgettable boat rentals. Whether you're looking to cruise along the iconic Three Rivers, host a special event on the water, or simply unwind with a relaxing day of boating, Subscribe and Save 15% off your next rental is your ticket to more fun and less cost.
