Milwaukee Duffy Boat Rentals | Inner Harbor
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Milwaukee Duffy Boat Rentals offers an exceptionally easy-to-drive, spacious, and comfortable electric boat experience on the Milwaukee River and Inner Harbor. It stands out for its fair pricing for group outings (e.g., 3 hours for up to 12 people), the practical ability to close windows for weather protection, and highly responsive, friendly, and helpful staff, making it ideal for family sightseeing and relaxing cruises.
Key Highlights
- ✓Boats are easy to drive, even for first-time renters, with clear operating instructions provided by staff.
- ✓Spacious and comfortable boats can accommodate large groups (up to 11-12 people comfortably).
- ✓Boats are well-equipped with amenities like speakers, comfortable seats, and a cooler.
- ✓Ability to close boat windows is a 'lifesaver' for managing chilly conditions on the river.
- ✓Staff are consistently described as super nice, friendly, helpful (e.g., getting kids situated), and responsive to questions.
- ✓Booking process is easy online, allowing for convenient reservations.
- ✓Boats are reported as very clean and well-maintained.
- ✓The 3-hour tour option is considered good value for money, and rates are generally perceived as fair.
- ✓Electric boats have plenty of power to handle harbor waters efficiently.
Standout Features
- ⭐Easy-to-operate electric Duffy boats, suitable for those with limited boating experience.
- ⭐Generous boat capacity for up to 12 people, ensuring ample room and comfort.
- ⭐Closable windows on boats provide essential protection against wind and cold, enhancing comfort.
- ⭐Onboard features like speakers for music and a cooler for refreshments.
- ⭐Exceptional customer service from booking to dockhands, including detailed operational explanations.
- ⭐Convenient online booking system and responsive customer support.
- ⭐Impeccably clean boats.
- ⭐Prime downtown Milwaukee dock location, easy to find using Google Maps.
- ⭐Allows cruising to specific points of interest like Lakefront Brewery.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Consider booking a 3-hour tour to fully enjoy the Milwaukee River and reach destinations like Lakefront Brewery.
- →Don't hesitate to rent if you're a first-timer; staff provide excellent, easy-to-understand instructions, and the boats are simple to drive and dock.
- →Utilize the easy online booking for convenience and prompt responses to any questions.
- →Be prepared for potential temperature drops on the river; make sure to use the closable windows for comfort.
- →The dock location is easy to find via Google Maps, simplifying arrival.
Things to Consider
- ⚠It can get chilly quickly on the river, although the boats' closable windows effectively mitigate this potential discomfort.
Price & Value
Customers consistently describe the rates as 'fair' and a 3-hour tour for a large group (11 people) as 'not that expensive,' suggesting excellent value for the comfort, amenities, and duration of the experience, especially for group outings. No hidden costs were reported.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accommodations for special needs are explicitly mentioned. However, the spacious and comfortable nature of the boats may generally facilitate easier boarding and movement compared to smaller, less stable vessels. Direct wheelchair accessibility or staff training for specific disabilities is not confirmed.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •The presence of a cooler on the boat strongly suggests that customers are permitted and encouraged to bring their own food and drinks to enjoy during the cruise.
🚗Parking Info
- •The dock location is noted as being close to downtown Milwaukee and easy to locate on Google Maps. However, no specific details regarding parking availability (e.g., lot, street, garage) or cost are provided in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Since it's a private boat rental, crowding is internal to your group. The reviews do not mention issues with crowds at the rental facility itself or on the waterways, implying a generally smooth experience.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Staff (e.g., Joey, dockhands) provide clear and thorough explanations on how to operate the boat, contributing significantly to passenger safety.
- •Staff are helpful in getting 'kids situated,' indicating a focus on passenger comfort and readiness before departure.
⏰When to Avoid
- • No specific situations or times to avoid were mentioned in the reviews, indicating a consistently positive experience across different visits.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
6 Pack Of Rentals Membership
$1699Duration: Typically 2 hours (90 min base + bonus hour, up to 3 hours if schedule allows)
A budget and user friendly boat club membership, offering significant savings over individual rentals.
Includes:
- •3 anytime rentals
- •3 non-Saturday rentals
- •Bonus hour for each rental
4 Pack Of Rentals Membership
$1299Duration: Typically 2 hours (90 min base + bonus hour, up to 3 hours if schedule allows)
A budget and user friendly boat club membership, offering savings over individual rentals.
Includes:
- •2 anytime rentals
- •2 non-Saturday rentals
- •Bonus hour for each rental
🍎Food Policy
- • BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage) and food allowed.
- • A large Yeti cooler and ice are provided onboard.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Life jackets are available in all sizes for all ages.
- • Boats are 'as easy to drive as a golf cart'.
- • Staff will help land and launch the boat.
- • Duffy Boats are Certified Zero Emissions and 100% electric powered.
📅Booking Policy
- • Exact headcount is not required at booking; price can be adjusted upon arrival.
- • There is a 6-person price minimum for rentals, but groups with fewer people can still rent.
- • Membership reservations must be made online using unique voucher codes.
- • Memberships can be split among friends, families, or company staff.
🚗Parking Information
- • Parking details are not explicitly provided, only dock locations.
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Recent Reviews
P. Kahn
10 months agoThe Duffy boat option to cruise the Milwaukee river is perfect. The boat was easy to drive, super comfortable, and spacious for a large group (11). A 3 hour tour was not that expensive in my opinion making for a great day with family. Took it all the way up the Lakefront Brewery on a slow cruise and everyone loved it. The guys who rented to us were super nice and took really good care of us. Highly recommend!
Joanne Marczewski
a year agoHad a wonderful time exploring Milwaukee via the river and inside the breakwater of Lake Michigan!.. Booking easy on line. Staff at check in were friendly and helpful getting our stuff and the kids situated! Highly recommend and look forward to booking again in the future!
C So
2 years agoHad a great experience renting a boat for the first time. Thought the rates were fair. Joey did a great job explaining how the boat works and how to operate it. It was easy to drive. The boat was perfect for what we were looking for! Speakers, comfortable seats, ample room, a cooler, and very clean. It could fit 8 people comfortably, and even more people if you wanted. For our purposes, it was just for two people total. The dock location is close to downtown Milwaukee and also easy to locate on Google maps. Would definitely do this again.
Tatiana Carvalho
2 years agoThe best boat company on the river! I’ve rented with them several times and always have a good experience. Renting is easy, you just hop on their site and book it their. If you have questions they’re super responsive. I’ve rented a skipper and we’ve driven it by ourselves. The boat is easy to drive, I felt comfortable docking it and I’ve only done it a few times. The boat is also spacious for 12 peoples and cuter than a pontoon. The ability to close the windows is a lifesaver as it can get pretty chilly quick on the river. Dockhands are incredibly helpful and when you’re all done you can grab a drink at Boone!
Dan Schley
a year agoWe had a wonderful time cruising Milwaukee's waterways. The electric boats have plenty of power to handle the waters of the harbor, and this is the best way to see this beautiful city from the water.