A party boat charter on Lake Lewisville costs from $975 to $2,175 at Sam’s Dock, depending on the boat and the day of the week. That is the price for the whole boat on a three hour charter, not per person, and it includes the licensed captain, the crew and the fuel.
The rate is set by two things only: which boat you choose and which day you sail. This guide lays out the rates for every boat you can book today, what is and is not in the price, what it works out to per guest, and the simplest ways to bring the cost down. For the wider picture, start with the complete guide to boat charters on Lake Lewisville.
Party boat charter rates by boat and by day
Every rate below is for one private charter of three hours on the boat named, with the captain, the crew and the fuel included. Monday to Thursday is the lowest rate on every boat, Saturday is the highest, and Sunday sits in between.
| Boat | Guests | Mon to Thu | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miss Selina Party Boat | 30 | $975 | $975 | $1,175 | $1,050 | $1,325 |
| Miss Teena Party Boat | 40 | $1,175 | $1,175 | $1,385 | $1,250 | $1,575 |
| Blue Goose I Party Boat With Slide | 50 | $1,675 | $1,675 | $1,925 | $1,725 | $2,175 |
| Blue Goose II Party Boat With Slide | 50 | $1,675 | $1,675 | $1,925 | $1,725 | $2,175 |
The holiday rate applies on holiday weekends such as Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day, and it replaces the usual rate for that day. Rates can change, so the current rates for every boat are always the ones to plan around.
What the charter price includes
The price covers the whole boat for your group, along with the people and equipment needed to run it:
- A licensed captain and a crew, who handle the boarding, the navigation and the anchoring.
- All fuel for the charter.
- Life vests for every guest, in multiple sizes.
- A Bluetooth sound system, so the music is yours.
- A large cooler for your food and drinks. It comes empty, so bring your own ice.
- A restroom on board.
Some boats add more. The double deck Blue Goose party boat has a slide, a jump platform, a lily pad and a grill, and the Miss Selina party boat comes with a swim mat.
What is not in the price
A charter is close to all inclusive, but a few costs sit outside the rate:
- Food, drinks and ice. Bring your own, homemade or catered. Beer and wine are allowed on board, and a cup charge applies.
- Gratuity. A tip for the captain is not included and is always appreciated.
- Sales tax. Tax is added at checkout, so the total you pay is a little above the rate shown.
- Optional extras. Anything you choose to add to the booking is priced separately and shown before you pay.
If a caterer, a DJ or a photographer is coming along, count them in your headcount. Everyone who boards counts toward the capacity of the boat.
What a charter costs per guest
Because the rate is for the boat and not for each person, the cost per guest falls as the group grows. With a full boat on a weekday, the 30 guest Miss Selina works out to about $33 per guest, the 40 guest Miss Teena to about $30, and the 50 guest Blue Goose to about $34.
On a Saturday the same three boats come to about $40, $35 and $39 per guest. These figures are before tax, and they assume every seat is filled. A smaller group on a larger boat pays more per head, which is why matching the boat to the headcount matters.
Per hour or per charter: comparing like with like
Many listings on the large boat marketplaces quote by the hour. At the time of writing, double deck party boats with slides and lily pads on Lake Lewisville were commonly listed at $180 to $300 or more per hour, with captain fees, taxes and platform fees varying by boat and shown at checkout.
To compare fairly, turn a charter rate into the same terms. On a weekday the Miss Selina comes to about $325 per hour and the Blue Goose to about $559 per hour, with the captain, the crew and the fuel already inside that figure. Then check the capacity. A boat that holds twice the guests at a higher hourly figure can still cost less per person.
Four ways to lower the cost
- Sail Monday to Thursday. It is the lowest rate on every boat.
- Choose Sunday over Saturday. It is the same weekend at a lower rate.
- Match the boat to the group. Filling a boat lowers the cost per guest more than anything else.
- Book two charters back to back. Two consecutive charters on the same day take 20% off the base price, and three or more take 30%.
Deposits and paying the balance
You do not always have to pay the full amount on the day you book. Depending on how far ahead the charter is, the checkout offers a deposit now with the balance due before the charter date, or payment in full. The options for your date are shown before you pay, along with the date the balance is due. Read the cancellation policy before you reserve, so the terms are clear from the start.
How to book a party boat charter
Booking takes a few minutes. Start with a headcount and a date, then compare the boats and check available dates. Pick a time on the calendar for the boat you want, add your details, and pay the deposit or the full amount to hold the date. Every charter needs its waiver signed within 24 hours of booking, and guests should check in 30 minutes before the start time.
Online booking needs about a week of notice. For a date sooner than that, contact the reservations team and we will check it by hand.
Sam’s Dock sails from Eagle Point Marina on Lake Lewisville, about 30 minutes from downtown Dallas. The lake is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which looks after recreation and natural resources around the lake.