Bareboat Charter with First Mate - Monterey M6 (Excelsior)

Lake Minnetonka's wide, indented shoreline is where you'll find the Bareboat Charter with First Mate - Monterey M6 (Excelsior), launching from 2 Water St, Excelsior, MN 55331, USA. This glacially carved lake, threaded with bays and islands, offers an ideal setting for a hands-on day on the water with modern comforts. Step aboard the Monterey M6, a luxury sport cruiser built for social days and confident handling.

The M6’s broad cockpit and plush seating give room for up to 12 people to spread out, sun, sip, and move easily between swim platform and shaded areas. Underway it delivers a steady, controlled ride thanks to a deep‑V hull and responsive throttle; at anchor its stability makes dining, lounging, or teaching aboard straightforward. A first mate accompanies your charter to provide hands-on assistance and on-the-water instruction while you retain command, so licensed drivers can build skill without giving up the helm.

The scene here is specific: open lake expanses, narrow channels, tree-lined shorelines and small rocky islands punctuate the route. Key features include the narrows near Excelsior, shallow sandy pockets popular for swimming, and granite outcrops that break the surface around some islands. Lake Minnetonka’s basins and peninsulas are a direct result of last-glacial sculpting, producing drop-offs, coves, and the clear shoals favored by anglers and swimmers alike.

Wildlife sightings—common loons, great blue herons, and circling bald eagles—add natural drama to a day of cruising. There’s a local historical layer too: by the late 1800s Lake Minnetonka had become a major summer resort zone, and remnants of that era — boathouses and waterfront hotels — still line parts of the shore. What makes this charter stand out is the combination of a high-end, comfortable platform and a training-first approach: the first mate’s guidance elevates a typical rental into an on-water refresher that’s practical and safe for new pilots.

Choose a two-hour outing for a quick spin and swim or an eight-hour day to island-hop, visit waterfront restaurants, and anchor in quiet coves. Bookings accommodate groups up to 12 people and require a valid boating license; the first mate helps with training and safety briefings. Meeting point details are provided before your rental.

Bring sun protection, layers, and a waterproof bag. This charter is a refined way to explore Lake Minnetonka’s shoreline and sample Excelsior’s waterfront culture.