What Happens to Charter Boats on Lake Minnetonka in the Winter?

Lake Minnetonka is one of Minnesota’s most beloved summer destinations, known for its lively boating scene, breathtaking sunsets, and iconic charter cruises. But when the temperatures drop and ice takes over, many people wonder: What happens to Paradise Charter Cruises’ charter boats in the winter?

Shutdown Season Begins in the Fall

As soon as summer starts winding down (sad face!), our crew begins preparing our vessels for hibernation. 

Winterization: Protecting the Boat from the Cold

Our charter boats undergo a process called winterization. This protects engines, plumbing, and onboard systems from freezing temperatures. Here’s what it includes:

• Draining water systems (tanks, pipes, heads (aka toilets)) to prevent freezing and cracking
• Adding antifreeze to engines and plumbing
• Cleaning and drying the interior and hull to prevent mold and mildew
• Removing all of our bar and galley items
• Fuel stabilization to prevent breakdown over months of inactivity

Storage: Tucked Away Until Spring

After winterization, our charter boats are tucked away until the next season. Canopies go over the boats, almost like a blanket, tucking them in for a long winter’s nap. These canopies protect the vessels from potential damage that snow/sleet/ice may cause.

As for the hull of the boat, we prevent ice from freezing around the hull by utilizing a floating boom and de-icer. The de-icer is used to maintain a constant circulation of water inside the boom, preventing it from freezing. The floating boom is used to control where the water is open. The 5-foot curtain that hangs down underneath the water is utilized almost as a wall– allowing one side of the wall to have open water, and the other side of the wall to have 3+ feet of ice! 

Pictured below: The floating boom that has a 5 ft curtain that hangs down underneath the water.

Off-Season Maintenance and Upgrades

Winter isn’t downtime for us—it’s maintenance season! 

This is when our crew works to:

• Repair wear-and-tear from the summer
• Rennovate the interiors and exteriors of our vessels
• Upgrade onboard systems
• Deep-clean interiors
• Update safety equipment and inspections

Planning for Next Year’s Charter Season

While the lake may be frozen, our business is still going strong behind the scenes! 

We spend the winter months:

• Booking private events for next season (weddings, corporate outings, parties)
• Updating websites, menus, marketing materials, and pricing
• Training staff and reviewing policies
• Monitoring the ice-out date (usually around April) to plan the exact launch schedule

We even offer early bird specials or holiday gift certificates for next season’s cruises!

BOOK YOUR NEXT EVENT HERE! Request Info  

While charter boats may not be cruising around the lake in the winter, they’re far from forgotten about. In fact, we have a countdown until next season already… Only a short 192 days away!

In hibernation, we’re undergoing careful maintenance and preparation to be ready for another unforgettable summer season on Lake Minnetonka.

So, next time you’re driving by Paradise Charter Cruises at The Port of Excelsior, just know: summer is already in preparation behind those “snow blankets” (canopies).