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You don’t need to own a boat to spend the day on the lake. Nearby boat rental businesses offer great deals plus an opportunity for families to spend a fun-filled and relaxing day on the water.

Appleton features one of the most convenient boat rental businesses in Wisconsin. With Lake Winnebago to the south, the Door Peninsula to the north and the thousands of other lakes scattered throughout Wisconsin, there’s always somewhere to go boating. That is especially true when you rent a boat from Power Sports Rental Network.

Owner Eric Eickhoff said the convenience factor is what separates Power Sports Rental Network from other boat rental companies. “There’s 15,074 lakes in Wisconsin and there’s only a dozen places in the state where you can rent a boat or jet ski, so we make jet skis and boats available on every lake,” Eickhoff said.

Their delivery service makes that possible. “If someone does not have the ability of a trailer, we put it in the water where they want it, when they want it,” Eickhoff said. The transportation fee depends on distance from Appleton. Customers can go to the lake of their choice, Power Sports Rental Network will deliver it and then they will “pick up the boat eight hours later.”

Delivery is free if the transportation is to Jefferson Park or High Cliff State Park. Customers also have the option to pick up the boats and jet skis from the store and take them to any lake within the state.

The Bayliner 185 boats have a 135-horsepower engine and can seat eight passengers. They also have inboard motors, which offer passengers a much quieter ride on the water. Special edition jet skis also are available. The Sea-Doos can seat three and are available for one-day rentals.

Power Sports Rental Network is booked for the upcoming holiday weekend, but Eickhoff said there have been instances when people cancel or postpone their reservation and a boat or jet ski becomes available. For more information on Power Sports Rental Network, visit rentals-wisconsin.com.

For those who are looking to just relax and socialize on the water, there are other rentals available in the area.

Lakeside Marina, which is located along the Fox River in Oshkosh, offers daily pontoon rentals. Pontoons are rented out on a first-come, first-served basis and reservations are required.

Sales Representative Eric Ziebell said Lakeside Marina will be “getting into a couple of fishing boats as well.” The fishing boat rental rates have yet to be determined, but will become available in mid-July. For more information on Lakeside Marina boat rentals, visit lakesidemarina.org.

Boaters who prefer to go manual can rent sailboats in Sturgeon Bay. Door County Boat Rental offers many options for boaters and is located in: Beach Harbor Resort, Snug Harbor Inn and Door County Maritime Museum. Sailboat rental rates range in price depending on the type of boat and the time of day.

Speedboats, fishing boats, jet skis and pontoons also are available for rent. More information, including rates of each rental, can be found at Door County Boat Rental’s website doorcountyboatrentals.com.

—By Alex Olp