Gazette photo by Steve Morris Excel Boat Club President Tom Jacob said he excited about moving into Bayport. The Lake Minnetonka-based boat club will officially open a second location in Bayport on May 9.

BAYPORT - A Minnesota-based boat club business that has been called one of the top 10 boat-rental companies in the country is expanding to the banks of the St. Croix River this summer.

Excel Boat Club, based on Lake Minnetonka at Excel Marina in Excelsior, will officially open a second location in Bayport on May 9, adjacent from the Bayport Beach House and the city's newly updated swimming beach. While several St. Croix Valley companies offer boat rentals, the Excel Boat Club will join the Stillwater Yacht Club as the only business that offers boat club services.

Under an agreement reached in February, Excel Boat Club will use eight of 17 boat slips from the owners of the Beach House Marina, which is operated under the RiverMarina company.

Brian Shelton, managing partner of RiverMarina, said the company was looking to start a boat club business at the Beach House Marina, and decided on Excel Boat Club because "they would do a better job."

Shelton said the company will have an advantage among other boat club businesses because of the membership base already in place on Lake Minnetonka.

The boat-rental business has the chance to bring thousands of people into the St. Croix Valley this summer and its economic impact to surrounding business will be significant, said Tom Jacob, Excel Boat Club president. The business will employ 4-7 local people, he said.

Jacob said the idea behind the business is simple: provide the boating lifestyle without the hassles and expenses of owning a boat. Customers pay an annual membership fee - ranging from $3,800 to $7,000 - which allows them to take a variety of boats on the St. Croix River and Lake Minnetonka, for half or full days, multiple times during the season, depending on the type of package. Customers also get a variety of water toys to take with them, Jacobs said. No other costs are involved except fuel and any damage done to the boat. Jacobs said non-members will also be able to rent boats.

"It's crazy getting in and out of Stillwater and Hudson (Wis.) in the summer," Jacob said. "We don't sell nuts and bolts, we sell fun."

Excel Boat Club plans to mirror the business model currently in place on Lake Minnetonka. The company has invested a significant amount of money in the Bayport location, including multiple new boats equipped with the latest technology, such as GPS units and stereo systems.

"Safety and comfort are our biggest things," Jacob said. "We take care of everything. ... It's affordable luxury."

Besides boat renting, the company also rents various other items such as one- and two-person s, paddleboats and pontoon boats.

Excel Boat Club has been in business for nine years and has more than $1 million invested in 26 different boats between the two locations.

While the Bayport location will be starting with eight boats - five for club members and three for nonmember use - Jacob said he plans to be in Bayport for the long haul and hopes to one day have 17-18 boats docked in Bayport.

"I intend to be here until I retire," Jacob said.

Marshall Nowlin, Bayport Marina manager, is supportive of Excel Boat Club and said the fact that the company has been in the business for nine years makes them a viable operation.

"I think anything that encourages boating is great," Nowlin said. "It should have a positive impact on the community, both indirect and direct."

Jacob said he has always wanted to expand to Bayport and with the growth of the area, moving to the St. Croix Valley made sense.

Looking forward, Jacob said he is excited to bring his passion for boating to the St. Croix Valley.

"I am really excited about it. It's going to be a great place," he said.

Excel Boat Club Home Port