You're the captain as you and up to five friends (6 people total) enjoy the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers in all-day comfort on our 2025 model Bunkhouse Boat, the Keeper.  It offers the perfect combination of deck and cabin space to enjoy the weather but also take a break from it.  It's stable at rest, offers a smooth ride for cruising, and has a shallow draft for beaching and exploring.
 

Time and Travel Options
We'll have the boat tied up at the Hudson, WI public dock on the St. Croix when you arrive. The maximum duration is 8 hours (9am to 5pm). You can pick your start and end times within that window but the rental fee stays the same. After a thorough but relaxed dock-side briefing, you're free to explore 48 miles of river between the nearest locks on the Mississippi, near Red Wing and Hastings, MN, and the Arcola high bridge on the St. Croix, north of Stillwater.  That's a lot of water! 

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We like to cruise up to Stillwater, slow down and hunt for deep enough water to get to the high bridge, beach the boat on an island and play hacky sack, drift, fish, and motor back to Hudson, join the party and swim on Beer Can Island, cruise down to the Mississippi to see the waters mix and check out some barges, and then head back up to Hudson.

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Fuel Usage
You are limited to 30 gallons of the gas that will be on-board and are not allowed to refuel. The gauges will show how many gallons you've used and your current mileage. You'll square up with us when you return based on current road prices, so no surprises.  We usually use about 15 gallons when we do a day trip out of Hudson. 

Provided on the Boat
Life jackets, six beach chairs, refrigerator, cooler with ice, disposable plates, bowls, and eating utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, wet wipes, trash bags, and toilet waste bags with gelling powder.

Furnishings
The boat is set up for day trips as a dinette, a couch, two counters, and a 1st mate’s seat. The furniture components are modular and we can set it up differently if you prefer.

 

Toilet

The toilet on the rear deck has been sanitized and set up with a fresh solid waste bag. The waste bag and urine jug are sized so you will not need to empty them. We'll be happy to take care of it after your return.

 

Food and Gear Storage

Provided on board are a 24-quart ice chest with 10 pounds of ice, a 30-quart refrigerator, empty drawers and shelves, and empty space under the seats.

What to Bring

Please bring your personal items in soft bags that can be stowed. Please don't bring totes, hard coolers, or other rigid containers. The boat has ample storage space for a day trip with six people. The following is a recommended packing list.

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• Food

• Beverages

• Drinking water

• Medications

• Phones and charging cords

• Wallets with IDs and boater certificates

• Sunscreen

• Hats and caps

• Bug repellent

• Swimsuits

• Towels

• Rain gear

• Warm clothes

• Fishing rods, tackle, and bait

• Fishing licenses

Restrictions

• Six people, including renter.

• Renter and up to 2 additional authorized operators must be at least 25 years old and have a boating certificate that allows legal operation in WI and MN.

• No children under 12 years old.

• All people who start the trip must be on the boat at the end of the trip (no early drop offs allowed)

• No smoking anywhere on the boat.

• No vaping in the cabin.

• Swimming only when beached.

• No one is allowed on the roof.

• No towing anything behind the boat.

• No cooking on the boat.

• We'll send a Renter's Agreement with a complete list of policies before we send your invoice for the rental fee.

 

Cancellation Policy

• Cancellation more than 24 hours prior to rental: Full $475 refund.
• Cancellation less than 24 hours prior to rental: $200 refund of Rental Fee with $275 credit toward a rescheduled rental, valid until September 30, 2027.

Steps for Renting

1. Click on the Availability button above to select a date.  This will lead to a calendar and then a fill-able form where you can ask questions. 

2. We'll send a rental agreement, liability waiver, and boat operating guide for you to review and electronically sign.

3. We'll send an invoice for the rental fee two weeks before your reservation date.

4. We'll meet you at the boat on your rental day, inspect the boat condition together, walk through the boat operating guide, and sign additional insurance papers.

5. You'll scan a QR code that will bring you to Buoy boat rental insurance where you'll click through two minutes of information and will be offered the option of purchasing insurance.

6. You'll be on your way!