What should you know before renting a boat? Know who will drive and whether they need a boating safety certificate, how the booking, weather and return policies work, and what happens at the dock before you leave. Once those pieces are clear, learning how to rent a boat in Pittsburgh is simple: book, show up a few minutes early, get your briefing and enjoy the rivers.
This guide walks through the whole process for a pontoon boat rental in Pittsburgh, from choosing a boat to tying it back up at the end of the day. It pulls together the questions first timers ask us most, so you can show up confident and spend your time on the water instead of at the dock.
Renting is the easiest way to get on the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. You pick the day, the boat and the group. You can try a pontoon one summer and a kayak the next. When the rental ends, you hand back the keys and go home.
It is also a great way to find out whether you enjoy boating at all, with nothing to commit to beyond the hours you book. For many Pittsburgh families and friend groups, a few rentals a season is exactly the right amount of river time.
Here is the whole process at a glance. Each step is covered in more detail below.
This is the most important thing to sort out before you book. In Pennsylvania, anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 needs a Boating Safety Education Certificate to operate a boat with a motor over 25 horsepower. Every pontoon in our fleet is above that, so plan ahead.
Get the details from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and read our guide on what you need to rent a boat in PA.
Our pontoons launch from Vic's Boat Park at 1 River Rd in McKees Rocks, on the Ohio River just minutes from downtown. Rentals run between 9 AM and 9 PM in 4 hour and 8 hour blocks.
A pontoon is a floating living room. It is stable, shaded by a bimini top and built for groups who want to cruise past the stadiums, float near the Point and share snacks. A kayak is a quieter, more active outing for one paddler. Our 10 foot Pelican Quest kayak rents for 2 hours, and kayaks do not require a boating certificate.
Every boat is limited to the capacity or weight on its plate, whichever comes first. Kids count as passengers, and dogs are welcome too.
A 4 hour block is enough for one loop, such as McKees Rocks to the Point and up the Allegheny past PNC Park. An 8 hour block gives you time for both directions, a long lunch on the boat and a sunset run.
You reserve your rental online and pay in full to hold it, with sales tax added. A few policies are worth reading before you click book, because they shape your day:
The full list is on our policies page. For current rates, check the booking page, and join our email list for a subscriber discount.
Pittsburgh weather is hard to predict a day out, so we do not cancel based on a forecast. We make the call on the morning of your rental based on river and weather conditions. If we cancel for weather or poor river conditions, you can reschedule, and if that is not possible you get a full refund.
Do not cancel on your own based on a forecast, since rescheduling inside 72 hours is not refunded. Our guide on what happens when rain is in the forecast covers it in detail.
On your first rental, arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. Here is what to expect at the dock:
Ask questions here. A few extra minutes on the dock beats a guess on the river.
Leave stoves and grills at home, since they are not allowed on our pontoons. Bringing your dog? Pack a bowl and consider a dog life jacket.
Pontoons are wide, stable and forgiving, which is why they suit first time drivers. A few habits make the day smoother:
Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law and our rental agreement. Choose a sober driver for the whole trip, or ask about a captain.
Driving yourself is a fun part of the day for many groups, especially small ones with a certified driver who enjoys being at the helm. A captain makes more sense when nobody in the group has a certificate, when the driver would rather relax with everyone else, or when you are celebrating and want the whole crew focused on the party. A captain is available on request, so ask about one when you book. Our post on renting with a captain or without walks through the trade offs.
Whichever you choose, the renter is responsible for following local, state and federal boating laws. The Fish and Boat Commission regulations recap is a quick read before your trip.
Summer weekends and holidays fill up first, so reserve as soon as your plans are set. Weekdays usually have more open times and quieter water. Early mornings tend to be calm, and late afternoon gives you golden light on the skyline.
It depends on the company and the boat, so always ask before you pay. For our rentals, fuel details are covered when you book. Fuel use mostly comes down to how long and how fast you cruise. A relaxed float near the Point uses far less than running up and down the rivers at full throttle all afternoon.
Pennsylvania does not issue a boating license, but anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 needs a Boating Safety Education Certificate to operate a boat with more than 25 horsepower. All of our pontoons are above that. If no one in your group is certified, ask about a captain when you book.
On your first rental with us, arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. That leaves time for the waiver, the boat inspection and the safety briefing. Any time you arrive late comes out of your rental, since our rentals run back to back and we need the boat back on schedule.
We make the weather decision on the morning of your rental, not the day before. If we cancel because of weather or river conditions, you can reschedule your trip. If it cannot be rescheduled, you receive a full refund. Keep an eye out for our call that morning.
The person who paid for the rental is responsible for damage during the rental, including propellers. That is why we inspect the boat with you at check in and check out. An Accidental Damage Waiver is offered as an add on, so ask about it when you book.
Yes, dogs are welcome on our rentals. Bring water and a bowl, plan for shade under the bimini, and consider a dog life jacket. Let us know about your pup when you book, since pets count toward the boat's weight limit along with your passengers and gear.
Now you know how it works. Compare our pontoon fleet and book your time on Pittsburgh's three rivers.
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