FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Check-in: 3pm on day of reservation
• Return: 10am – Houseboats must be docked and ready to disembark by return time.

There is a $150 non-refundable fee for up to 2 pets going onto the houseboat. Additional pets are $150.00 each.

New Melones Lake Marina houseboats feature smoke-free interiors. Guests who wish to smoke are encouraged to do so outside of the cabin.

A $600 deposit + booking fees are taken at the time of booking. The total rental fee must be paid 45 days in advance of your boarding date.

Cancellations 46 or more days prior to reservation will result in loss of initial $600 deposit + booking fees.

Cancellations 0-45 days prior to reservation will result in loss of entire reservation amount including booking fees.

We will allow a one-time rebooking during the current rental season. Rebooking will result in a $50 fee being charged to the card on file. For bookings made 46 or more days prior to reservation date, we will allow a 2-day grace period to cancel with no fees incurred.

If you have any questions or need to cancel your booking you may email office@newmeloneslakemarina.com with Houseboat

Reservation Cancellation in the subject line.

The reservation holder will be the only person able to check in on the day of reservation. Must have valid I.D., as well as the credit card on file with them.

New Melones Lake Marina requires customers to purchase the minimum mandatory insurance for each vessel. Larger policies are available upon request.

A refundable security deposit is due at time of check-in. The deposit will be refunded, within 7 business days, upon return of the vessel seeing there is no damage when inspected. Deposit amounts vary depending on the vessel.

Admissions to the lake are managed by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. New Melones Lake fee information is available online. Visit: https://usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/planning-visit/rea/use.html for recreation use fees.

The customer or someone in their party is usually the captain.

Anyone who is 25 years of age or older and has a valid I.D. or passport can operate a houseboat. Our staff will provide you with a thorough orientation before your departure to make you feel more comfortable driving the boat. We also offer complimentary captains’ services to get you in and out of the marina. Once out of the “No-Wake Zone” you then take ove.

Our houseboat orientations are tailored for each guest based on their vessel. Instructions take anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour to ensure that our instructors cover all functions and operating procedures and that our guests feel comfortable enough before leaving the dock.

Each houseboat permits passenger capacity based on its size. Coast Guard Regulations mandate that all parties abide by the stated maximum capacity for each vessel.

Our houseboats include fully equipped kitchens, stocked with plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, pots, pans, and utensils. You will need to bring bedding, towels and any toiletries you prefer. Paper products (toilet paper and paper towels) will be stocked on board, but it is recommended to bring your own with regard to your party size and length of stay. Please note that only certain types of toilet paper can be used on our vessels, for any questions please call our Marina at (209) 785-3300.

Yes, we recommend that you either rent or bring a powerboat or additional personal watercraft. Smaller watercraft will act as your transportation from the marina and other places on the lake to your houseboat. Houseboats must leave our service dock for the duration of your stay and beaching any boat near the launch ramps is prohibited.

Yes, you can tow personal watercraft behind your houseboat, although it is not advised. Rental boats cannot be towed. Boat fenders will not be provided, please bring your own.

The amount of fuel you use depends on the type of houseboat you rent, how far and how fast you travel. Calculating the expense varies, though most gas charges average around $200 for moderatehouseboat usage.

Tight scheduling makes availability of pre-boarding unlikely, however if you wish to do so, please call 209.785.3307 or email office@newmeloneslakemarina.com and we will do our best to accommodate arrangements.

You may beach your houseboat anywhere on the lake that is not potentially harmful to the integrity of the vessel (sharp rocks, shallow water, etc.). Camping on the shore with tents or other equipment as well as campfires is strictly prohibited. Please keep in mind that rules and regulations are enforced by the Federal Bureau of Reclamation.

We recommend moving your houseboat daily to accommodate the fluctuating water levels.

No. All houseboats must be beached and securely tied off by sundown.

Trash and sewage can be removed at our service docks during your stay if necessary. Please call the Marina store in advance to ensure our employees can bring your houseboat safely to our docks.

No, washers and dryers are not included on the houseboats.

The Marina store has fuel and propane available for purchase.

If you experience any mechanical trouble while on the lake you can contact the Marina store or call the after-hours phone for assistance.

Marina Store: 209-785-3300

After Hours: 209-743-8083

In the event of an emergency please phone 911 first and then call the

Marina store. Proceed to the nearest dock with caution.

Marina Store: 209-785-3300

After Hours: 209-743-8083

The Marina does not supply any fishing equipment rentals.

We offer a variety of fishing equipment at our Marina store! We recommend you plan and bring whatever fishing supplies you are wanting to use on the lake with you since we are the only store on the water.

No, we do not sell fishing licenses. Please plan to purchase your license prior to arriving at the lake, as you will need one to fish at New Melones. Fishing licenses can be obtained at Altaville Market in Angels Camp.

We recommend using night crawlers.

Neither the Marina nor the Bureau of Reclamation offers any organized fishing excursions. However, there are local guides that offer their services.

The cost is based on size and style of the vessel. It ranges from $50 to $200+.

No, to receive a red tag is free. The Bureau of Reclamation can place a red tag on the vessel for the quarantine.

• Appointments can be made Monday through Friday, 11 am to 3:30 pm
•  Or 7 days a week, 8 am to 3:30 pm.

Yes, once a decontamination is complete and a green seal has been issued, the customer may launch their vessel. The customer must still follow all rules and regulations in place by the Bureau of Reclamation, including launching at specific locations and launch times.

No, if a customer receives a green seal upon leaving the lake, they are free to launch again without a decontamination.

Yes, regardless of the last time you used your vessel, a decontamination or a 30-quarantine is required by the Bureau of Reclamation to be able to launch.

While we strongly encourage customers to schedule an appointment, we understand that this may not be possible for some. We take walk- ins on Saturdays and Sundays. Please understand that wait times vary and can exceed 1+ hours.

If the tag has been on the vessel for 30+ days AND is registered in the WID database, the BOR will recognize it as a 30-day quarantine tag.

Yes, the motor will have to run to flush the water through it.

No, we use only hot water. The water starts at a minimum of 160 degrees before running through the motor and must be a minimum of 140 degrees upon exit.