Boat Rentals - 2024 Tahoe Pontoon

At the edge of Mullett Lake and threaded by the Indian River, the Indian River Sports Center in Indian River, Michigan offers the 2024 Tahoe Pontoon — a 200-horsepower, 12‑person deck boat built for laid-back cruising and high-energy water play. Departing from Indian River Sports Center at 562 South Straits Highway, this rental pairs stability and acceleration: a roomy deck, a Bimini top to block midday sun, Bluetooth stereo, and GPS for pointing the bow toward sandbars, quiet coves, and the browse of shoreline cottages. The boat’s 200hp outboard gives the vessel surprising thrust for watersports: tow a tube, explore back channels, or simply hold position and drop a line.

The wide, flat deck and 12-person capacity keep family groups comfortable while the captain—or any renter old enough to operate the craft—finds handling intuitive. Rentals include daylight hours (typically 9am–5pm or 10am–6pm) with 8-hour and multi-day options; fuel is extra and USCG-approved life vests are available as an add-on. Why this launch matters: northern Michigan’s Inland Waterway is a rare network of connected lakes and rivers where you can travel miles without leaving freshwater corridors.

Sandstone outcrops, low maple-and-pine shorelines, and the occasional marsh reed give the route a changing character from one cove to the next. Wildlife sightings—loons, great blue heron, and deer wading at dawn—are a frequent bonus. For visitors used to crowded Great Lakes beaches, the wide, slow-channel boating here feels deliberately manageable.

Practical details: renters must be 18+ with valid ID and a boating-safety certificate to operate. There’s a seven-day cancellation window and late-return fees, so plan around launch and recovery times. Add-ons include life vests and a two-passenger water tube for towed fun.

Expect basic navigation from the boat’s GPS, but bring a charged phone, sunscreen, and dry bags to protect gear. This pontoon rental is a straightforward way to own a northern Michigan day: no heavy boat-handling skills required, plenty of deck space, and a powerplant that keeps options open—relaxing cruising, sandbar parties, or a wake-charged afternoon. Launch from Indian River Sports Center and let the river reveal its quieter corners; after a day afloat you’ll understand why the Inland Waterway is a favorite for families and small groups exploring Michigan’s inland lakes.

Bookings go through the Indian River Sports Center desk at the launch; the staff are experienced locals who can recommend quiet sandbars, best routes between Mullett and Burt Lakes, and safe places to anchor for a swim. Because fuel and life-jacket rentals are extra, tally needs before departure. Families and mixed-ability groups appreciate the pontoon’s stability and shade from the Bimini top; for photographers, the slow wake and long sightlines make sharp reflections and woodland-framed shots guaranteed during calm mornings.