Club FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions about the Excel Boat Club

Q: How does the boat club work?
You may have two reservations “on the books” two weeks in advance. To accommodate our members, we split the boating time to get the maximum number of people out on any given day. Boating times are from 9 am—2:30 pm or 4—9 pm until Labor Day then we back up the return time to coincide with sunset. A “use” is one half-day time slot. You may have one use per weekend (Friday PM slot through Sunday, including Holidays). We know from our history that five hours is plenty of boating time for our clientele.

Q: How do I know there will be boats available?
We limit the number of memberships based on the number of boats we have to ensure that boats are available when members call for reservations. You can call up to 2 weeks in advance and have multiple reservations on the calendar. Waiting list. We carefully monitor boat use and will add boats to make sure we have plenty for our members if needed.

Q: How do I make a reservation?
Just call us up, and we’ll book your reservation along with any extras you are looking for from catered food to restaurant reservations to a special anniversary or birthday celebration.

For Lake Minnetonka, call 952-401-3880
For the St. Croix River, call 651-430-3118

Q: What type of boats do you have in the club?
In 2009 you will enjoy more than $1 million worth of boats between the two locations and can select from a variety depending on the occasion. We’ll have five boats on the St. Croix River and 21 on Lake Minnetonka. As we continue to grow, we will add more boats at both locations. When you arrive, your boat we’ll be clean, have a full tank of gas and be ready for you to go.

We have multiples of the most popular boats. They include crownline and azure deck boats 26-foot Deckboats, 25-foot Glastron Speed Boats, 26- and 30-foot Deluxe Palm Beach Pontoon Boats equipped with large stainless Barbeque grills, extremely comfortable seating and plenty of space for groups up to 14. Most of the boats can seat eight comfortably and have Porta Potti bathrooms, extended swim platforms and AM/FM CD stereo.

Our Minnetonka location will have a cabin cruiser, and a classic 1985 26-foot Mahogany Skiff Craft. The Skiff Craft is a special boat and always requires a qualified staff person to drive. Driver charge is $30 per hour.

All boats include the required safety items. Our boats are kept in excellent condition and are inspected and registered each season with the Hennepin & Washington County Water Patrol.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of times per year you can boat?
We offer many different membership packages(hotline to membership packages) based on your needs from 10 uses per season up to 25 uses.

Q: How long can I keep the boat out?
As a member, you book a 5-hour session: either 9 am-2:30 pm or 4-9 p.m. Our members find that this is plenty of time to be on the water. If you are renting, we offer half-day (5 hours) sessions or full-day rentals (8 hours).

Q: Who can I bring with me on the boat?
Family, friends, work colleagues. In short, anyone you wish up to the capacity of the boat you select. Boats

Q: How do I sign up?
Just call us up, and we’ll set up a time to tour the marinas, review the membership agreement, schedule you for boat training and get you started.

Q: What does it cost to join?
Memberships start as low as $3,799 and go up to $6,999 for a corporate membership.

Q: Are corporate memberships available?
Yes, it’s $6,999 for a corporate membership, which entitles you to boating any day of the week shared by 4 individuals in a company or two couples. One use per membership per weekend meaning that both couples and two members of a company cannot boat on the same weekend (Friday-Sunday plus holiday weekends) 22 uses per season.

Q: What are your hours of operation?
We’re open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Q: do I have reciprocity at other Excel Boat Club locations?
Yes, when you join the Boat Club, you have access to our entire Fleet on Lake Minnetonka and the St. Croix River.

Q: Are there any daily use charges?
Once you pay your annual Membership fee there are no other additional costs except fuel and damage, (which hopefully won’t occur), catering or hiring a Captain to drive, if you want to entertain and leave the driving to us. All charges are on a monthly account and you are billed at the end of each month.

Q: When can I use the boats?
Our season runs from May 9 through Oct. 11. Visit our membership  or boat rentals information  for more details.

Q: What do you need to know about boating?
Our goal is to make sure that you are completely comfortable with the boats. We provide the training (and the maps). We’ll show you how to correctly operate the boats and equally important, how to read and navigate the Lake Minnetonka and St. Croix buoyage systems.

Q: Why should I join the Excel Boat Club?
Here are just a few of the benefits:

• A variety of new boats to use
• Valet service—no carting gear, coolers or bags
• Professional and friendly staff catering to your needs
• Unique way to entertain family, clients or out-of-town guests
• No boat payment
• No cleaning
• No upkeep, repairs or maintenance
• No slip, storage or winterizing costs