New Melones Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to view detailed driving directions and a map of Lake New Melones.

You may pick up the houseboat at 2 PM on your first day of rental. The boat is due back by 9 AM on your final day.

The maximum capacity of the houseboats is 18 people at all times.

For detailed air and water temperature information, view a month-by-month list of Temperatures here.

Driving a houseboat is different than driving a car, but is not that difficult. The marina staff will walk you through driving the boat during your orientation when you pick it up. Most people get the hand of maneuvering the boat within a few minutes.

At the time of booking, you must pay a $500 deposit to confirm your reservation of the houseboat. This deposit is fully refundable as long as the boat is returned undamaged.

75 days prior to your trip, the full balance of your rental must be paid.

Give us a call at 888-454-8825, and one of our reservation agents will be happy to check availability for you. It's helpful if you already have an idea of when you want to go and what boat you're most interested in when you call.

Alternatively, you can contact us online with your availability request, and one of our agents will be happy to get back to you with the information you need.

Lake New Melones is one of the most popular lakes in California. Some of our boats have been known to book out more than two years in advance. The earlier the better is a good rule to follow, particularly if you have an exact date in mind for your trip, or if you're planning a trip over a holiday weekend.

However, if you're flexible with your dates or the exact houseboat model, we can almost always find a trip for you even a few weeks before hand.

Linens are not provided on the houseboats at New Melones. You will need to provide your own.

We welcome pets on all of our houseboats. Pets are part of the family and find houseboating and exploring the shoreline extremely fun.  Please be aware that there are hazards to protect your pet against- such as rattlesnakes, birds of prey, and the water (pet life preservers can be found at most marine stores).

If your pet happens to cause some damage and/or the need for extra cleaning, part of your $500 deposit may be forfeited to cover this additional cost.

There is a convenience store located at the marina for last minute items such as ice or milk. You will definitely want to stock up before you depart on your houseboat trip! There is a full service grocery store called Savemart located in Angel's Camp, just a few minutes away.

Charter captain must be at least twenty-five (25) years old. Your party must also have at least two people 25 or older on board.

There is no special license needed to operate our houseboats. There are rules for operating houseboats on the waterways, and we will explain them to you upon your arrival.

Houseboats are on pontoons and there is very little motion. Seasickness is basically unheard of on fresh water.

It is always a good time to go houseboating! Summer is the most popular and busiest season. Fall offers Indian Summer days and cooler nights. Springtime is good for viewing abundant wildflowers, waterfalls, and wildlife. Winter is favorable for the anglers, when fishing is at its best. And the rates are significantly lower between September and May. All our vessels are climate-controlled with air-conditioning and heaters- some even have a fireplace!

Yes! New Melones is home to a variety of fish, including trout, bass, crappie and catfish. Bait and tackle are available at the marina to ensure you have what you need to be successful.