I'm looking to rent a powerboat, pontoon boat, or houseboat (not a sailboat) in Annapolis. I can't afford a charter so I'm looking for something I can drive myself. I did a web search but only found one company that has two boats, neither of which really meet my needs. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess the waters off Chesapeake Bay are too rough for a houseboat or pontoon?

Call a marina and speak to the harbor master. If that marina doesn't have rentals, they could probably refer you to someone who does.

A rental will probably cost you around $300 per day not including gas.

We've spent many hours boating on the Chesapeake around Annapolis and I have to agree with GoTravel about pontoon boats. Even if you could find one to rent, I wouldn't recommend taking it out in the Bay. Others would disagree, but I don't even think bowriders are a good idea. The Bay can get very rough, very quickly.

Unfortunately, the Annapolis area is not big on bareboat rentals. What are your needs? Maybe someone can offer alternate suggestions.

The boat ride is a birthday gift to my mom. We lived in the area for many years and want to go back for a fun day on the water. A pontoon boat would be fine for our needs because we would like to stay right in the Annapolis downtown area. We don't plan on going any considerable distance from shore.

The harbor area around Annapolis is pretty much taken up by moored sailboats. Just beyond that you'll be at the mouth of the Severn River. You wouldn't want to take a pontoon boat into those waters. I suppose you could motor up and down Spa Creek a little ways, if you could find a boat, but that's doubtful. I'm sorry I can't think of anything like what you're looking for. Are you sure you don't want to take your mom on a chartered day sail? That would be doable.