LOVELAND BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Slow Sun, Quiet Wake: A Day Aboard the Del Mar 18U on Carter Lake
A concise guide to spending a half- or full-day on KB Rentals Colorado’s Del Mar 18U pontoon at Carter Lake—whether you want a captain-led scenic tour or a self-drive day of water sports.
Slow Sun, Quiet Wake: A Day Aboard the Del Mar 18U on Carter Lake.
Adventure brief
Slow Sun, Quiet Wake: A Day Aboard the Del Mar 18U on Carter Lake
Set on the sheltered water of Carter Lake near Loveland, the Del Mar 18U is a versatile eight-person pontoon that frames a day on the water around comfort and simple play: Bluetooth sound, a bimini for shade, an optional built-in BBQ and room for sunbathing or towing a tube. Choose a captain-led scenic loop or take the boat for yourself and run your own route across the lake.
On the water at Carter Lake, just west of Loveland, Colorado, the Del Mar 18U pontoon from KBRentalsCo is built for easy days that switch between low-key lounging and rollicking waterplay. Located at Carter Lake in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, this boat lets groups of up to eight move from shaded cocktails under the Bimini to tubing and towable thrills with a single clip of the tow bar. The boat itself is engineered around flexibility: a removable dining table and built-in Bluetooth sound system create a party-ready social deck, while a rear boarding ladder and optional floating lake mats make dips and sunbathing simple. Renters can choose an on-the-water, self-captained rental or book a Scenic Lake Tour with a licensed captain; the company runs 6- and 8-hour options that let you linger through the long golden hours. Optional extras—an optional built-in BBQ Grill, floating mats, and a towable tube package—transform a standard outing into a family cookout or a lakeside water-park day. Carter Lake sits where the plains meet the Front Range, producing wide, wind-sculpted water and long sight lines to rocky ridgelines. The shoreline mixes prairie grass and cottonwood stands; look for great blue herons quartering the shallows and osprey hunting over deeper water. Because the area is a working reservoir and a popular day-use spot, mornings and late afternoons offer the calmest water for photos and towing. Practical details matter: check-in departs from the North Pines Boat Ramp or Boyd Lake Marina per your booking, and the operator requires a 21-plus cardholder on file at pickup. Pricing varies by package—self-drive 6-hour rentals and captain-led scenic tours are both available—and damage deposits are held on card, only charged if equipment is returned damaged. Bring sun protection, lots of water, and towels; the company provides the boat, Bluetooth sound, Bimini shade, and the safety gear you need. As part of Loveland's loop, this boat rental ties into nearby trailheads and picnic areas—ideal for combining a morning hike with an afternoon on the water. The operator's booking and optional captain make it an accessible choice whether you're new to boating or arranging family reunion; shallow coves suit young swimmers too. For short drives from Loveland, this pontoon is a top pick for groups who want something gentler than a ski-boat day and livelier than a quiet canoe trip. It’s an approachable way to experience Colorado water recreation: big views, easy social space, and the freedom to switch between barbecues, naps in the sun, and tubing runs without changing your rental. Whether you’re chasing a family day afloat or a sunset cruise with friends, the Del Mar 18U makes Carter Lake feel like your private patch of Front Range shoreline.
Route Schematic
Typical route schematic
Stops are flexible depending on whether you take a captain-led tour or self-drive, but a typical outing follows launch, a scenic circuit, anchored lunch and optional water-sports.
Launch / Departure
On-the-water rentals depart from the Boyd Lake Marina; take-and-go rentals are picked up at the rental facility and launched from the marina or approved access.
Scenic Circuit
If you booked a Scenic Lake Tour, the captain guides a circuit of Carter Lake, pointing out shoreline views while the group relaxes aboard.
Anchor & Lunch
Choose a calm cove to stop for lunch using the removable dining table and the optional BBQ Grill Package, or settle onto a floating lake mat for sun and shade.
Water-sports and Swim Breaks
Use the tubing tow bar for tow-sports or the rear boarding ladder for easy entry and exit during multiple swim breaks.
The boat is rated for up to eight people and can be captain-operated (scenic tour) or self-captained (on-the-water rental); plan around that capacity and carry sun protection, drinking water and towels.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
Whether you book a captain-guided Scenic Lake Tour or an On-The-Water self-captained rental, the day is about simple choices: a scenic loop around Carter Lake, a swim break from the rear ladder, lunch on board with the removable table or the optional grill, and a soundtrack from the onboard Bluetooth stereo. The Del Mar 18U balances shade and open deck so you can move between sun and shelter as the afternoon warms.
THE BOAT
A compact, comfortable platform for eight
The Del Mar 18U accommodates up to eight people and is outfitted for relaxed cruising and light water-sport play, with a removable dining table and rear boarding ladder that make swims and meals straightforward.
THE AMENITIES
Music, shade, and optional grilling
Enjoy a Bluetooth stereo and a bimini shade cover for hot afternoons; groups can add an optional built-in BBQ Grill Package or bring a floating lake mat for lounging between laps.
THE WATERPLAY
Tow bar and open deck for tubing and sunning
A dedicated tubing tow bar and open deck layout let you switch easily from quiet sunbathing to towing a tube or staging swims off the stern.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Rentals are offered in 6-hour and 8-hour options.
On-the-water rentals depart from Boyd Lake Marina. Take-and-go or pickup options are available at KB Rentals Colorado’s rental facility.
Bring sun protection, plenty of drinking water and towels.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How many people can fit on the Del Mar 18U?
The boat is for groups of up to eight people.
Can I hire a captain for the trip?
Yes—choose the Scenic Lake Tour and the boat and captain will be reserved exclusively for your group.
Is there a self-drive option?
Yes—On-The-Water rentals are self-captained; the boat will already be on the water and ready to go.
What onboard features and accessories are available?
The Del Mar 18U includes a Bimini shade cover, Bluetooth sound system, a removable dining table, a rear boarding ladder, and a tubing tow bar; an optional built-in BBQ Grill is available.
What should we bring for the outing?
Bring sun protection, plenty of drinking water and towels.
Where do on-the-water rentals depart from?
On-the-water rentals depart from the Boyd Lake Marina; take-and-go rentals are available for pickup at the rental facility.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-09-08T19:51:25.492Z
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Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.