Self-drive · Two bow riders · Up to 8
Self-drive boat rental on Lake Hopatcong
Rent the boat. Drive it yourself. Two bow riders, 2,500 acres, your route. The cheapest way onto the water. From $175/hr, 2-hour minimum.
River Styx, Lake Hopatcong
453 N River Styx Rd, Hopatcong NJ
About the rental
Take the boat out yourself. No captain, no schedule, no one telling you where to go. Just you, your crew, and 2,500 acres of Lake Hopatcong. Cruise the coves, anchor for a swim, chase the sun. Two bow riders, up to 8 people each. Your pace, your route. Rather be driven than drive? Add a driver at checkout.
Driving yourself? Read this first
You'll need your NJ Boating Safety Certificate
New Jersey law requires anyone driving a powerboat to carry a NJ Boating Safety Certificate — the standard boating license. You don't need boating experience to take our boats out (we brief you at the dock), but the certificate is a legal must to drive yourself. Bring it, plus a photo ID.
Don't have one yet? It's the most common boating license in NJ and easy to get: take a state-approved safety course — a few hours, available online — and pass the exam. Knock it out before your rental. Or skip it entirely and add a driver at checkout (+$50/hr) — then we drive, no certificate needed.
What's included & good to know
- ✦The Tahoe 1950 bow rider, yours to drive
- ✦USCG-approved safety gear for everyone aboard
- ✦Up to 8 people
- ✦Optional driver — add at checkout, +$50/hr
- ✦Gas not included — we refuel on land at 87-octane pump rates, so you only pay for what you burn (way cheaper than marina fuel)
- ✦Fishing & watersports gear available to add — just ask
How it works
Out on the water yourself
Check in at the dock
Meet us at River Styx. Load up your crew, your cooler, your gear.
Quick boat briefing
A full run-through at the helm before you head out — the controls, the rules, the spots worth finding. No experience needed.
Take it out & explore
2,500 acres are yours. Cruise, anchor, swim, fish. Your pace, your route, no schedule.
Lake Hopatcong's original wake crew. Thousands of trips, five-star reviews, and a fleet kept dialed-in. The self-drive boats get the same care as everything else we run.
Where we'll meet
River Styx, Lake Hopatcong
453 N River Styx Rd, Hopatcong NJ 07843 — Northern New Jersey, about an hour from NYC.
FAQ
Good questions
How much is it, and is there a minimum?
$175 an hour, with a 2-hour minimum. The cheapest way to get your own boat on the lake.
Can someone drive for us?
Yeah. Add a driver at checkout for +$50/hr if you'd rather sit back and be driven than drive yourself.
Is gas included?
No — and that's on purpose. We refuel on land at 87-octane pump rates, way below on-water marina fuel, so you only pay for the gas you actually burn instead of a padded flat fee.
How many people fit?
Up to 8 on each boat. We've got two.
Do I need experience to drive?
No. You get a full briefing on the dock before you head out, and Lake Hopatcong is an easy lake to get around. If you'd still rather not drive, add a driver at checkout.
Do I need a boating license to drive myself?
Yes — New Jersey law requires a NJ Boating Safety Certificate to drive a powerboat yourself. It's the standard, most common boating license: a state-approved course (a few hours, available online) plus an exam. Get it before your rental and bring it with a photo ID. No certificate? Add a driver at checkout for +$50/hr and we'll drive — no license needed.
Can we fish or bring watersports gear?
Both. Fishing gear and watersports gear are available to rent — add them at checkout or just ask when you book.
Where do we meet?
River Styx on Lake Hopatcong — 453 N River Styx Rd, Hopatcong NJ. About an hour from NYC.
How do I book?
Book online through FareHarbor, or call or text (973) 878-4990 and we'll set it up.
Things to know
Who it's for
Anyone who wants the boat to themselves. No experience needed — you get a full dock briefing, and the lake is easy to run.
How to book
Book online through FareHarbor, or call or text to lock a time. Add a driver, fishing or watersports gear at checkout.
Gas
Not included. We refuel on land at 87-octane pump rates — you only pay for what you burn.