Charter a vessel at Lake of the Ozarks

The Celebration cruise yacht is docked at Lakewood Point.

Since it was created in 1931, the 54,000-acre, 617-billion-gallon Lake of the Ozarks in Central Missouri has been a boater’s paradise.  Bring your own boat and launch it at one of several public ramps, or rent a fishing boat, speedboat, pontoon or personal watercraft at a full-service commercial marina, resort or campground. However, thousands of visitors prefer to leave the navigating to the licensed captain of a chartered boat, while sitting back, relaxing and enjoying a comfortable and memorable cruise on the Lake of the Ozarks.
Three vessels offer leisurely public cruises on the Lake from early spring through late fall. Best of all, because there’s little overlap in their routes, visitors can cruise on each boat and experience a different stretch of the Lake.
 

The Tropic Island

The newest of the Lake excursion boats is the luxurious 75-foot, 150-passenger Tropic Island II yacht, owned and operated by Captain Omer Clark and his wife and first-mate Jacquie. The Tropic Island offers narrated public cruises from 3-4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, departing from the full-service marina at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach. Tickets are $16 for adults, $10 for ages 4-12, and free for age 3 or under. Sunset cruises also are scheduled throughout the season. On board, reggae and tropical music play on the ship’s first-class sound system, complementing the laid-back atmosphere of the well-appointed yacht complete with a full-service bar, soft drinks and snacks.

“I think one of the great experiences at the Lake is to see the magnificent Ozarks hills from the water,” Clark says. “On our narrated tours we talk about the area’s rich native American history, how three different groups of Osage Indians sold their land here for $1,500, were forced to move to Oklahoma, then found oil on their reservation and now operate a large and profitable casino.” 
Tropic Island II also offers private charters for corporate business groups, motor coach tours and special occasions. Rates are $800 per hour, $1,600 for two hours and $500 for each additional hour. “For private charters we pick up at all major resorts,” Clark says. The season extends from April 1 through October 30, although the yacht offers a St. Patrick’s Day cruise, visiting several Lakefront venues. “We also offer special cruises to see the fireworks on July 4, Memorial Day and Labor Day,” he adds.  
Between public excursions and private charters, the Tropic Island cruises about 250 times a year, Clark says.
Also docked at Tan-Tar-A Resort, the Ozark Princess offers one-hour excursions, two or three times a week during the summer season, as well as holiday fireworks cruises. The 90-passenger vessel is frequently chartered for private parties and meetings. 
 

The Celebration

The Lake’s longest charter boat, the 80-foot Celebration cruise yacht, launched in 2010 from a new location, Lakewood Point at the west end of the Grand Glaize Bridge in Osage Beach. “We have our own point now off U.S. 54 and Jeffries Road, the first road west of Grand Glaize Bridge,” says Captain Mike Bouffiou. “The boat will be fully visible and a billboard will direct visitors where to turn.” 
The 150-passenger Celebration offers three public cruises a day, including luncheon cruises on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, for $25 per person; passengers also may enjoy the trip without dining for $15 (cocktails, soft drinks and snacks are available). A daily cocktail cruise from 3:30-5:00 p.m. will be $15. Dinner cruises, featuring restaurant-style service, will be offered for $42.95. 
Private charters on the Celebration are a popular option for reunions, weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate retreats, holidays and other occasions. Charters run from $1,200 and up for two hours during the week; $800 an hour and $1,600 for two hours on weekends. The cruises will launch from Lakewood Point or other pick-up spots can be arranged.
The Celebration also offers a St. Patrick’s Day cruise, plus fireworks cruises on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Another vessel in the Celebration fleet is the Sea Rocket, the fastest Coast Guard-approved excursion boat on the Lake, also docked at the new Lakewood Point location. The Sea Rocket, piloted by a Coast Guard-licensed captain, offers up to 12 passengers the exciting feel of off-shore racing in a fast 30-minute Lake tour, for $25.
 

The Tom Sawyer

For the Lake’s best stern-wheeling riverboat cruise by a dam site, try the 120-passenger Tom Sawyer, a turn-of-the-(19th)-century-style riverboat. It’s docked next to historic Bagnell Dam and offers daily, 90-minute narrated scenic cruises of the Lake’s main channel at 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.; $16 for adults, $8 for ages 4-12, free for age 3 and under (cocktails, soft drinks and snack bar are available). “People say it’s nice to get out on the water, especially people from out of town,” says cruise director Mary Braun (wife of co-owner Greg Braun). “Our passengers include a lot of families and seniors citizens. We tell them about the history of the Lake and the conservation activities that go on here.” 

The Tom Sawyer also offers sunset cruises that set sail at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Saturday (schedule may vary), featuring a bountiful buffet of fried chicken and barbeque ribs with all the trimmings and ice cream for just $26 adults, $13 age 4-12, free for age 3 and under. “You can easily spend $26 alone for dinner without a cruise!” Braun says. 
The Tom Sawyer also is available for charter services. “We’re frequently chartered by private groups, family reunions, businesses, bus tours, schools, special occasions and weddings,” Braun adds. The season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
   

Other charters and rentals

Now offering charters and rentals at The Lodge of Four Seasons is Leisure Lake Charters. The company has pontoon rentals for an hour, half-day or full day, including 26' - 28' tritoons, equipped with a powerful 90 HP, 4-stroke outboard motor, as well as stereos with mp3 connections. Midweek discounts and package deals with waverunner rentals also are available. Tritoons rent for $75 per hour plus gas and tax; waverunner rentals are $65 per hour plus gas and tax. Midweek and multiple hour discounts also are available.
Leisure Lake also has several charter craft available, including the services of a Coast Guard-licensed captain. A Rinker Captiva 282 is $155 per hour; multiple-hour specials are available along with sunset cruise and mid-week discounts. A Carver 355 Motoryacht with crew is $395 per hour with a two-hour minimum, then $325 for each additional hour. “You’ll find all the Coast-Guard-required safety equipment, water and snacks, bimini top for shade, an oversized swim platform, satellite radio and CD player and other amenities,” says owner/operator Captain Mike Beecher.
Several other charter services also operate at the Lake of the Ozarks. Other Lake-area charter services include First Mate Yacht Services, which features yachts by Sea Ray and Carver and also offers the professional fishing-guide expertise of Master Captain Travis Coleman; and Kuhl Breeze Charters, with a 37-foot Four Winns V358 featuring two flatscreen TVs. These and other services will pick up and deliver passengers at their lodging or other designated location.
Another unique way to cruise the Lake of the Ozarks is by houseboat. Forever Resorts Houseboat Rentals are available at Lake of the Ozarks Marina north of Camdenton. A 56-foot, 59-foot or ultra deluxe 65-foot houseboat are in the fleet for an unforgettable Lake cruising experience. Spacious and comfortable, some have an upper-deck hot tub and bar. 
 

On your own

Of course, your own boat is always welcome at the Lake of the Ozarks. Launches can be found at nine public access ramps at Bagnell Dam, Gravois Mills, Sunrise Beach, Lake of the Ozarks State Park and other locations. Some charge a small access fee and also offer gas and convenience items. Or you can use the launching ramp at one of the Lake’s many full-service commercial marinas, where you also can purchase gas and supplies. If you’re staying overnight, look for lodging facilities that offer private boat slips right outside your door.
Always designate a sober captain if you’ll be drinking while cruising. Remember, Missouri’s legal blood alcohol content for operating a vessel recently dropped from .10% to .08%. “Think Before You Sink” and have a safe and enjoyable time at the Lake of the Ozarks!