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About
Lake Minnetonka
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For over a hundred years, since the late 1800's, Minnetonka has been a destination playground for the world's rich and famous, as well as a summer home and cabin area for many Minneapolis residents. Streetcar service from the Twin Cities brought visitors and residents to a fleet of seven steam powered Express Boats. These departed from Excelsior and Deephaven to the many luxury hotels and lakeside cabins scattered around the lake. |
During the early 1900's nearly every hotel was lost to fire, and over the years, cabins were gradually replaced by magnificent lakeside mansions, which seem to grow bigger and more opulent every year.
14,500 acre Lake Minnetonka is made up of over thirty separate bays and lakes connected by a series of channels, and boasts of nearly 150 miles of shoreline! Long the land of the Sioux Indians, the area was the site where Sioux worshipped the "Great Spirit- Manitou". The Indian reference to "minne" is water, and "tonka" means great. The lake has been called one of the most beautiful
in the world, with sparkling clear water, hundreds of lovely islands, and secluded bays. Fishing is rated in the top ten nationally for largemouth bass. There are also countless northern pike, walleye, muskie, crappie, and panfish, all of which will eagerly "bite" for even novice fishers.
Sailing and powerboating have always been hugely popular here and the variety of watercraft, both antique and modern, is
amazing ! But, due to the proliferation of new residences and marinas around the lake, public access has become very limited. A group of larger charter cruises are available, including a refurbished original steamboat, which offer sightseeing cruises around certain areas of the lake.
Excel Boat Club / Boat Rental is delighted to offer many wonderful opportunities to enjoy being
in Lake Minnetonka, not just on it. Our rental pontoon boats and kayaks afford marvelous fishing, swimming, and picnic access, in addition to close up looks at the spectacular lakeside mansions not available to the big
boats. Dropping anchor in a lovely, serene bay for a swim and BBQ is a wonderful outing, especially if the fish are hungry, too. (They usually are!)
Our new luxury pontoons carry up to eighteen comfortably, with gas grills, enclosed potti-changing room, and modular wrap-around seating. They are quiet and easy to drive for even a landlubber, or we can provide a captain if you wish.
Membership in the Excel Boat Club offers the opportunity to really enjoy Minnetonka in your "own" fleet of brand new 22' - 23' runabouts, deckboats, and cuddy cabins, along with a luxurious pontoon and a fishing boat. We call it "VALET BOATING" because all you do is show up, go boating, then leave to enjoy the rest of your life, with no cleanup, gassing.
etc. - no "hassles!" We do all of that.
We also offer you guided fishing trips for
the ultimate fishing experience. The best part is that all of this fun and historic charm is
only twenty minutes
from Minneapolis and the Mall of America in the quaint lakeside town of Excelsior. |
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Copyright © 2003 by The
Soft Factory . All rights reserved.
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