Pontoon & Fishing Boat FAQ’s

We rent pontoon and fishing boats. Our pontoon boats come in three classes (or types): Cruisers, Performance and Specialty.

The primary difference between our pontoon boat classes is the engine size and capacity.

All our boats are new and come with swim platform and ladders; bimini sun shade, fish finder, livewell, non-slip vinyl flooring, bluetooth sound system, table, anchors, tie off ropes, fenders (bumpers), paddle, life jackets, fire extinguisher and its own trailer (but we offer optional delivery service)

Cruisers are 22′ long and hold 11 passengers. They are powered with an electric start, efficient 40 HP 4 stroke motor. Perfect for swimming, cruising the lake and fishing.

Performance pontoons are either 22′, 11 passenger or 25′, 16 passenger with a powerful 115HP electric start, 4 stroke motor and a tow package. You can pull tubers and skiers with these boats.

Our 26′, 17 passenger Specialty class pontoons are powered with a 200HP supercharged Mercury Verado motor, tow package and has a 2nd story water slide. It’s like your own resort

Our fishing boats come in one configuration: 16.5′ single console with 40HP electric start motor, trolling motor, livewell, fish finder, rod locker, rod holders, onboard charger, anchors, tie off ropes, fenders, paddle and fire extinguisher.

We rent boats by the day (10am-5pm) 7 days per week. Generally, but not always,. we have a one day minimum.

Fishing boats are going to be cheaper than most pontoons. From mid-May to mid-June and then again from mid-August to the end of September as well as some week days, rates may be discounted.

Our lowest one day fishing boat rate is $199. Our lowest pontoon boat rental is $289. Weekly pontoon rental rates start at around $1100.

Delivery service starts at $99.

With the exception of our second story Specialty class pontoon boat (which has a “hard top” cover, Runamuk equips its pontoons with a canvas sun shade called a bimini top.

All pontoons have a rear swim platform with ladder, fish finder, livewell, deluxe bluetooth sound system, docking lights, table, non-slip vinyl floor, life jackets (orange over the neck type), fenders, tie off ropes, anchors, etc.

If you have younger children (under 12) or will be tubing, skiing, knee boarding, wakeboarding, etc., bring your own appropriately sized and type of life jackets.

We rent floating islands (8×12), tubes, skis and knee boards.

Make sure you consider fuel. We send the boats out full of fuel and require they be returned that way.

Some but not all lakes sell fuel. If you wish to refuel or think you will be pulling a lot of tubers or skiers for many days you may wish to bring along some of your own gas cans. Otherwise we do offer a prepaid fuel option (up to 1 tank) where you return it with any amount of fuel remaining.

Our boats use 91 octane, ethanol free, fuel only.

You reserve in advance on our website or via telephone (715-222-9911). Full payment is required to reserve a boat. Once you reserve you will receive a booking confirmation & reservation email from us.

This is also your receipt. Review it carefully and let us know immediately if there are any errors.

If we are doing the delivery contact us the day before to coordinate exact delivery times, location, etc.

715-222-9911 or info@runamukrides.com.

On the day of check-in: arrive about 10 minutes before the start of your rental at either our office (if you are doing your own trailering) or at the boat launch if we are delivering.

Do not come earlier. We will confirm all guests have completed their online rental agreements; process your security deposit; confirm whether you will refill the watercraft yourself or if you want the prepaid fuel option.

After the administrative items are completed we will take a video of the boat to document its pre-rental condition (we recommend you do the same). Next we will ask you to inspect the boat; review the watercraft’s key features.

If you are trailering you will hook up to the boat trailer, make sure its properly secured, test the lights, etc. Be sure and use the appropriately sized towing vehicle; have the correct trailer light receptacle & hitch; that your lights and brake controller are working.

If we are doing the delivery: all the previous administrative items will be taken care of over the phone.

Next: we will meet you at the designated boat launch as well as go over some of the boat’s key features; have you inspect it; then help you launch it.

By launching we mean: your group’s operator will climb on board the boat before it’s in the water. We will then back the boat into the water.

At pickup, your operator will drive the boat up to the trailer while our staff helps guide it into the bunks or cantilever trailer

We are located at 13679 W Thannum Fire Lane, Hayward, WI 54843 – halfway between Hayward & Cable, WI right off US Hwy 63. (8 miles north of Hayward and 8 miles south of Cable). If you are performing your own towing this is where you pickup and return the boat.

If we are performing optional delivery and pickup service we will meet you at a predesignated public boat launch. You may pay an additional fee and we will deliver & pickup the boat right from your dock.

We are NOT situated right on a lake but there are many nearby lakes including Round, Namakagon, Lac Courte O’Reille, Owen, Sand, Upper and Lower Twin, Chippewa Flowage, Nelson Lake, Sand Lake, Stone Lake, Chetek, Totagotic (Minong Flowage), Pike Chain, Nebegamon, Clam Lake, Galilee, McKenzie,. Shell, etc.

All boats come with their own trailers so you may do your own haulage or we offer optional delivery service out to around 50+ miles from our location.

We will deliver to most public (government – administered) boat landings in Sawyer, Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Washburn and Barron County. We may decide to deliver at privately run boat launches but reserve the right not to.

Be sure and give us the address; correct lake name (spelling) and the county in which the lake is located so we can verify the correct lake.

Typically we deliver boats at 10am on the first day of the rental and pick up at 5pm on the last day. We may, upon mutual agreement, deliver or pick up earlier or later than these time periods.

Ultimately this is your decision and not ours. We highly suggest that if you are not experienced in towing pontoons you let us do it. If you want to try yourself here are some of our suggestions:

You will need a true, 1/2 ton truck. No SUVs, vans or cars. Receiver hitch with a 2″ ball, ratchet straps, and a 7 pin round wire receptacle with a vehicle trailer braking controller.

Other factors are time: decide if you want to spend part of your vacation time trailering.

Costs: our optional delivery service runs from $99 to $499 depending on how far the landing is.

Note: we operate both cantilever (scissor) and bunk trailers. We cannot guarantee which type of trailer your boat will be on. Our 25′ Performance class boats and our Specialty class boats are quite heavy and require a 3/4 ton truck.

This is a multipart question. To RENT you need to be at least 18, have a valid, state-issued automobile driver’s license, and a major credit card.

To OPERATE (i.e., drive) you will need the same items as a renter. If you were born on or after January 1, 1989 the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR) mandates you have a state-issued Watercraft Operator’s Safety Certificate.

Wisconsin has reciprocity with other states meaning that a similar, valid, other state’s issued Watercraft Operator’s Safety Certificate will work in WI. Similarly the WI DNR allows non Wisconsinites to take their online safety certification course and obtain a valid certificate. Visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/Education/OutdoorSkills/safetyEducation) for information.

Note that some local municipalities / lakes may impose stricter rules than the state (such as “no wake” or “no wake after 5pm”. Check with your landlord or the Sheriff’s Department.

If you cancel 15 or more days from the start of your rental you will receive a full refund, less a $75 per reservation Cancellation Fee. Cancellations made within 14 days shall receive a fifty percent (50%) refund and forfeit any remaining balance.

No. We do not offer insurance coverage of any kind nor do we in any way insure you. Contact your insurance agent concerning your insurance coverage needs.

We do require a $1500 per watercraft security deposit. This takes the form of credit card authorization that we run just before the start of the rental.

So long as you bring the boat back in the same condition in which you received it, less ordinary wear and tear, we will void this deposit. If there are any incidental charges such as fuel we may deduct this amount from the security deposit.

Life jackets for younger children, toddlers, and infants. Fishing license, bait and tackle (if fishing); automobile drivers license, cash, credit card, sun screen, appropriate apparel, bug spray, floating toys, food, water, gas can (if the lake you are staying on does not sell gas OR you have not selected are prepaid fuel option and, if required, a state-issued Watercraft Operator’s Safety Certificate. (See how old do I need to be to rent?).

If you are renting either a Performance or Specialty Class and wish to tube or ski then bring your own tube, rope and / or skis. Otherwise we do rent these. Bring “vest style” life jackets if you chose to participate in these activities.

22′ pontoon boat, trailer usage for your delivery and your pickup, (optional delivery service available), adult sized over the neck orange life jackets, throw-able flotation device; tie off ropes, anchors, dock fenders; paddle depth depth / fish finder, and live-wells. These 22′ long, late model 10 person pontoon boats have a well-designed seating layout. These boats are clean and in great shape. They come equipped with 40 HP, clean, electric start four stroke engine, swim ladder & rear entry platform, sound system, bimini top (canopy) fish finder, livewell, table, comfortable seating,. life jackets, fenders (bumpers), tie off ropes, anchor, navigation lights, throwable flotation devices, paddle, & tie off ropes.

Boat, trailer (delivery service available), adult sized over the neck orange life jackets, throw-able flotation device; tie off ropes, anchors, dock fenders; paddle depth depth / fish finder, and live-wells.

Boat, trailer, adult sized over the neck orange life jackets; a throwable floatation device; tie off ropes; anchors; dock fenders; paddle; depth finder; updated boat registration. Also includes trailer use for launching and retrieving your watercraft (subject to availability).

Options include delivery and pickup service, towables (tubes), water skis, floating mat, prepaid fuel, trip interruption plan, etc.

You will need a suitable vehicle (3/4 ton minimum) with a 2″ ball, 5 pin flat wiring kit (or a 7 pin with adapter), and sufficient ratchet straps to secure the boat to the trailer. You will need at least a 3/4 ton pickup to transport this. If you prefer, check out our delivery service option.

If you select the delivery service option we will meet you at the closest public boat launch (DNR or Public Landings only) or at your dockside, depending on which option you selected and paid for.

The 16.5′ is a well outfitted single console Crestliner Vision 1600 suitable for holding up to 4 people.

Equipped with a powerful, electric start 4 stroke 60HP Mercury, this boat will get you to your fishing spots fast. Our 14.5′ is equipped with an electric start 25HP two stroke motor. It works best with 2 adults or 1 adult with 2 kids. Both boats come with live wells, trolling motors, rod holders, fish finders, anchors, fenders, life jackets, tie off ropes, and rod locker or rod storage rack.

Also comes with adult sized over the neck orange life jackets; a throwable floatation device; tie off ropes; anchors; dock fenders; paddle; fish finder; and current year boat registration.