FAQ

Infants Toddlers Children Adults & Senior Citizens are Welcome!

All lessees are required to be a minimum of 18 years of age to enter into our legal Rental or Charter Agreements.

Watercraft drivers must be at least 18 years to drive any of our motorized boat products.  See note below.

There is no minimum or maximum age limit for non-driver passengers on any of our rental boats or party boats.

YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD TO RENT OR DRIVE A BOAT.

Anyone born AFTER September 1st, 1993 MUST have a Boaters Safety Certificate from www.boat-ed.com. Please have this available to show the dock manager when you arrive (printed or on your phone).

Please note, this course, which is offered by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept., can take several hours to complete. We recommend completing it at least 24h in advance.

If you were born BEFORE September 1st, 1993 you do NOT need a Boater’s Safety Certificate.

ALL drivers need a valid Driver’s License.

Yes, you are permitted to bring and drink alcohol on our boats. All customers must be at least 21 years old to consume alcohol. All lakes are monitored by Texas Game Wardens, who will stop boaters driving or acting erratically. Game Wardens also verify the ages of folks drinking/driving our watercraft. Drivers must obey all Texas laws regarding operating boats/alcohol.

We sell a limited supply of beer and ice at our Ship’s Store and other convenience items.

Please check in at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled start time for rentals (Pontoons, Tritoons, Ski Boats, Craig Cats, Silver Bullet and Waverunners).

Check in one(1) hour prior for the Tejas – all party boat charters may check in 30 minutes prior to your cruise start time.

If you require additional time, you will be charged at the normal hourly rate of the boat rented. Please advise our Reservations Center in advance as many boats are rented consecutively and might not be available for additional time.

RAIN CHECKS ARE ISSUED ON THE DATE AND LOCATION OF YOUR RENTAL ONLY. CUSTOMERS MUST APPEAR AT THE MARINA AT THE TIME RESERVED.

RAIN CHECKS ARE ISSUED BY THE LOCATION MANAGER ONLY.

RAIN CHECKS ARE NOT ISSUED BY OUR RESERVATIONS DEPARTMENT.

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THEM TO REQUEST A RAIN CHECK AS THEY ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE ONE. RAIN CHECKS ARE ISSUED BY THE SAM’S DOCK LOCATION MANAGER AT THE MARINA ON THE DATE AND TIME OF YOUR SCHEDULED RESERVATION ONLY.

RAIN CHECKS ARE OFFERED AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF SAM’S DOCK. RAIN CHECKS ARE OFFERED WHEN WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE DANGEROUS (IE HIGH WINDS, LIGHTNING, TORNADO WARNINGS). SAM’S DOCK WILL NOT OFFER A RAIN CHECK IF CONDITIONS ARE MERELY NOT-IDEAL, SUCH AS IT BEING OVERCAST OR LIGHT MISTING. RAIN CHECKS ARE NEVER OFFERED IN ADVANCE.

WHEN ISSUED A RAIN CHECK, IT MUST BE USED WITHIN THE SAME SEASON OF THE DATE THAT IT WAS ISSUED OR IT WILL BE FORFEITED.

NOTE:SAM’S DOCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR LOSS OF MONIES PAID TO VENDORS (IE DJ, CATERING).  PLEASE DO NOT SCHEDULE ANY VENDORS WHO MIGHT CHARGE A CANCELLATION FEE IF YOUR RESERVATION IS CANCELLED/POSTPONED BY US DUE TO DANGEROUS WEATHER.

RAIN CHECKS MUST BE USED AT THE MARINA LOCATION OF YOUR ORIGINAL RESERVATION.  WE WILL NOT TRANSFER YOUR CREDIT TO ANOTHER LOCATION ON THE SAME LAKE, OR TO ANOTHER LOCATION ON ANOTHER LAKE WHICH WE SERVE.  THIS POLICY APPLIES TO ALL OF OUR BOATS, WATERCRAFT AND PARTY BOAT CHARTERS.

WE WILL NOT ENTERTAIN ANY REQUESTS FOR FULL OR PARTIAL REFUNDS FOR VENDOR CANCELLATION PENALTIES.

All rentals are non-refundable.  Rental boat/watercraft reservations are non-refundable and do not allow for cancellation.

We do not permit multiple boat rentals. Sam’s Dock prohibits docking of any watercraft with any of our boats, Wave runners, ski boats, and party boats. This includes boats rented by us, or your own personal boats. No docking together of any kind is permitted. This is a safety concern to swimmers and guests.

Please note that we allow one reservation per person on all boats and wave runners. If you would like to book multiple vessels at the same time, you may do so by making each reservation under the name of the respective driver.

Many of our other boats and watercraft off ports where you can plug in an AUX cord from your phone to play music over the sound systems. We sell AUX cords in our Ship Stores.  They periodically sell out, so to be sure you can play music during your rental, please bring your own AUX cord(s).

Feel free to hire entertainment such as a DJ or musicians for your party boat charter.

All caterers and entertainers are included in the maximum capacity count for the party boat reserved.

NOTE: The only party boat with electricity is the Tejas.

All other party boats have a port where you can use an AUX cord into our speaker system.

If you have hired a caterer or a DJ, many supply their own generators, and we rent them if desired(giving access to two-2- outlets per generator).

Once the rental has left the dock at the time of your scheduled booking, it is prohibited from returning to the dock to pick up or drop off passengers before the end of your booking time.

Life vests will be provided for every person boarding a vessel. There are multiple sizes available to accommodate everyone.

Homemade, purchased, or catered food is permitted on all watercraft and party boats. Sam’s Dock does not provide food, beverages or ice. Our captain and crew are not permitted to cook or serve food or beverages.

Grilling (of all types, charcoal, propane, or electric) is not permitted except on the Deluxe or Blue Goose party boats.

Sternos are permitted to help keep food warm.

We provide one or two tables for you to place food, snacks and beverages.  We have a limited amount of chairs on all party boats. If you require additional tables, chairs or coolers, please feel free to bring your own.  Contact our Charter/Events Manager, Teena Duff for more details pertaining to each party boat by calling 469-404-6247.

Feel free to hire a caterer if desired…many customers do!  Note that caterers and staff will count towards the maximum capacity of your boat…keep that in mind for your guest count!  Sam’s Dock is not responsible for your loss of monies paid to vendors (ie DJ, Catering) when your charter/rental must be cancelled/postponed due to inclement weather. Please keep in mind that most vendors will charge penalties if events are cancelled within a specific number of days/hours prior to the event.  We do not issue rain checks in advance. If you contract a vendor, and your rental/charter must be cancelled due to weather, you are fully-responsible for the penalties. Sam’s Dock will not entertain any requests for early rain checks, or to cover penalties due to cancellations on short notice, including the day of the event.

We supply one(1) large cooler on every party boat.  It comes empty, so be sure to purchase ice (enough for the duration of your rental) and all beverages!

Fuel is NOT included in our rental costs.  However, fuel is included in the charter price.

Fuel is charged at our Ship Store on the day of your rental.

No grilling of any type is permitted on any of our smaller watercraft.  We rent propane gas grills on our Deluxe and Yellow Rose party boats ONLY.  Please request one when you make your reservation.

Hookahs are permitted on party boats only.

Everyone who boards the boat, whether a caterer, DJ, or guest must be counted as a passenger.

This is STRICTLY enforced as it’s mandated by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and US Coast Guard stability allowances. It’s not a Sam’s Dock rule, so please do not ask us to bend it as it puts everyone at risk.

LESSEE agrees that the watercraft rented will not exceed the maximum-permitted occupancy and weight limitations.

Dogs are permitted on all rental boats excluding Waverunners and Craig Cats. Keep in mind, animals can cause damage to vinyl and leather.  You will be responsible for any damages.

Public restrooms are available at the Ship Store.

Restrooms are available on the Tejas, Deluxe, Yellow Rose, Miss Selina and Miss Teena, Miss Gloria and the Abigail Rose only.  There are no restroom facilities on any other watercraft.

SWIMMING IS AT YOUR OWN RISK – NO LIFEGUARDS ARE ON DUTY

IT IS MANDATORY TO WEAR LIFE VESTS AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN THE WATER.

Our captains and crew are trained to keep passengers safe only while on board our boats. They are not trained lifeguards and should not be regarded or looked upon as such.  You swim at your own risk at all times.

Guests must obey all commands and directions of our captains and crew at all times.

You may hire and bring your own lifeguards if desired.  They will count towards your boat’s maximum capacity of passengers.  Many school groups hire and bring their own lifeguards.

Swimming is permitted on all watercraft, boat rentals and Party Boats(except Tejas and Miss Gloria).

NO SWIMMING is permitted on the Tejas Luxury Event Boat or Miss Gloria.

On boats where swimming is permitted, swimmers must exit the water 30 minutes before sunset. The captain will let your guests know when to get out of the water. 

We rent tubes(tow rope included), skis, wakeboards, kneeboards and surfboards.  Feel free to bring your own water toys! Tubes are rented for towing only with pontoons, tritoons and ski boats.  You will need to provide your own air pump.

Wheelchair-bound customers are welcome on our boats!

We suggest a pre-cruise visit to our marina to see the layout of our docks, parking areas, stairs etc. Our dock hands or location manager are happy to give you a tour of the facility including width of the gates when boarding boats, access to restrooms etc.

Please keep in mind that water levels and conditions could make it impossible for your wheelchair guest to board the boat. Be sure to bring enough people to assist in lifting and loading the guest onto/off of the chair/boat.

There are absolutely no refunds for no-shows.

Failing to appear for your rental on the date and reserved time will result in loss of all monies paid. Payments made cannot be credited towards a future rental or charter.

Waivers must be signed within 24 hours of making your reservations.

Use the link located right under the date and time in  your email confirmation to sign the agreement electronically.

Failure to sign the waiver will result in cancellation of your reservation and forfeiture of all monies paid.

We offer slip rentals at our Granbury and Hidden Cove locations only. Contact Selina at 972-612-2317 for more information.

In general, rental boats have a 3 hour minimum, where as our jet skis/ wave runners have a minimum rental time of 2 hours. Minimum rental times for our party boats will vary depending on the boat.

If you discover that you forgot or lost an item while on our watercraft or party boats, please check with the Ship Store before leaving the Sam’s Dock location.

• Try to handle the situation on the day of your rental with our staff in the Ship Store, or ask to speak with a manager.
• If something arises after the day of your rental, please email or call our Reservations Center at 844-samsdoc, [email protected]
• If you have a credit card payment issue, please contact our Reservations Center.
• If you have a problem to report, or to offer a suggestion about our website, please contact our Systems Manager, 
• We are always happy to get feedback from our customers.  Letting us know where we can make improvements will help us to create better experiences for you and future customers.

Texas Game Wardens have the difficult job of making sure we all have a safe day on the lake.

According to their Mission Statement:  “…Texas Game Wardens serve the citizens of Texas by providing professional law enforcement, water safety, and search and rescue, while working to conserve and protect the natural resources of Texas.”

Please make their lives easier…and yours safer.  Obey all boating laws, and if stopped, please show respect to the Game Wardens.

Reservations are non-refundable for any reason.

YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD TO RENT OR DRIVE A BOAT.

Anyone born AFTER September 1st, 1993 MUST have a Boaters Safety Certificate from www.boat-ed.com. Please have this available to show the dock manager when you arrive (printed or on your phone).

Please note, this course, which is offered by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept., can take several hours to complete. We recommend completing it at least 24h in advance.

If you were born BEFORE September 1st, 1993 you do NOT need a Boater’s Safety Certificate.

ALL drivers need a valid Driver’s License.