• Army Corps of Engineer requires renters to pay $5.00 for parking. There are two brown signs after you pass the campground on the right. The kiosk is on the right after the two signs, and before you reach the marina. You must have this parking pass to park.  
• Sutton Lake is alcohol and drug free, and is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers.  
• Please arrive 15-30 minutes early to fill out paperwork.
• Weather related cancellations are entitled to a 100% refund on the day of your reservation (minus the convenience fee if you booked online). If you cancel for any other reason the day of, we cannot issue a refund. If you cancel within 48 hours, you can receive a full refund (minus the convenience fee if you booked online). If you cancel within 24 hours, you can receive a full refund (minus $100.00 and the convenience fee if you booked online).
• A boater's safety card is required for drivers born after December 31, 1986. We can issue you a temporary boater's safety card upon your arrival that is good for 24 hours. The cost is $5.00. If you wish to take the boating course before you arrive, you can do so online for free at: West Virginia Boating Safety Course: BoatUS Foundation
• The rental boat or jet ski will be filled back up with gas upon return to the Marina. The Renter is responsible for the cost of the gas.
• A security deposit is required upon arrival. You can either leave a credit/debit card at check-in that goes into our drawer, or cash. The card will not be charged or authorized. The card or cash will be returned to you upon return, as long as there is no damage to the vessel. The security deposit for pontoons, double-slides, and jet skis is $300.00. The security deposit for houseboats is $500.00.
• If you have any questions, email us at [email protected] or call 304-765-2120. We look forward to seeing you and thank you for booking with us!

Miss MaK Policies

WV HOUSEBOAT VACATIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Houseboat FAQs

Q: Is any special licensing required to rent and operate a houseboat?

A: To rent a houseboat, you must be at least 21 years old. To operate the boat, you must have a valid driver’s license. If born after December 31, 1986, you also need a Boater’s Safety Card. A free Boater Safety online course is available at http://www.boatus.org/westvirginia/. If needed, we can issue a temporary Boater’s Safety Card for use during your rental. The cost is $5.00. Only the dock master and dock hands drive the houseboats, unless you are an experienced boater. 

Q: What is the maximum occupancy of the boat?

A: The maximum occupancy for our houseboats is 10 people. Miss Murr and Miss Audrey sleep 8-10 people (including the couch that makes a bed). Miss MaK sleeps 6-8 people (including the couch that makes a bed). Linens are provided for the beds. For additional guests, you will need to bring a sleeping bag/air mattress, etc.

Q: How much water is on the boat? Is it drinkable?

A: The boat has a 300 gallon freshwater tank that is filled prior to your departure with chlorinated city water that is drinkable. All faucets and the shower pull from this freshwater tank. We recommend conserving water. If you have a full boat for a week-long stay, we recommend scheduling a mid-week fill-up.

Q: Can you put toilet paper in the toilet?

A: Marine toilets are very easily clogged. We provide a covered waste basket for toilet paper, tissues, etc. The toilet is for human waste only.

Q: How large is the waste holding tank?

A: The waste tank holds 400 gallons and is sufficient for a full boat out for an entire week.

Q: What if there is bad weather?

A: If wind speed is above 12 mph (determined by the windsock flying at the marina) then you must wait for calm winds to depart with the boat. If you are on the lake, the safest place for you and your crew is secured in a cove.

Q: Someone in my party has a CPAP machine. Is there a plug-in for it?

A: As long as the generator is running, the boat will have electrical power. There are no electrical outlets in the bedrooms on Miss Murr and Miss Audrey, but there are outlets in the hallway and bathrooms. You will need to bring a short extension cord to reach an outlet from a bedroom.

Q: What if there is an emergency while we are on the lake?

A: If there is a medical or other emergency, call 911. Emergency services for the lake are provided through 911. We also advise bringing or renting a pontoon boat or other smaller vessel so that you can quickly seek help if needed. Cell service may only be available in the coves closest to the marina. We suggest checking for cell service prior to securing your boat for the evening. Our boats do not have a ship to shore radio.

Q: Someone in my party has a wheelchair. Is the boat handicap accessible?

A: Our houseboats are not handicap accessible.

Q: Not everyone in my party will be arriving at the same time. What do we do?

A: If you have late joiners and have already departed with the houseboat, there are a couple options:

1. If you have your own small boat, or rent one of our pontoons, then you may come in to the marina at your convenience and pick them up.

2. We offer one free trip for delivery of guests to either Wolf Creek or Lower Flatwoods Run (9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.). Additional trips are $50/trip to either of these locations. Delivery is not available to any other points on the lake.

Q: Do you offer a discount off your other rentals to houseboat guests?

A: We offer a reduced rental rate off standard pontoons, kayaks, paddleboards, and Paradise Pads when rented for the entire duration of your houseboat rental. These rentals may be kept overnight with your houseboat. Standard Pontoons are available for $365+tax+fuel for an entire mid-week or week-end rental or $595 for a weekly rental. Kayaks, paddleboards, and Paradise Pads are available for $85+tax for an entire mid-week or week-end rental or $125 for an entire week. Jet Ski rentals are available at a 20% discount off normal rental rates. Jet Skis may not be kept overnight with the houseboat. Delivery/pick-up of a rental is available at Wolf Creek or Lower Flatwoods Run only.

Q: What if we have little or no boating experience?

A: 1. You may keep the boat moored at the marina for a lower price, and explore the lake in a smaller vessel while the houseboat stays dockside during your stay. 

2. We take the boat up the lake and secure it for you in one of the coves closest to the marina. You will want to bring or rent a smaller vessel to explore the lake. Only SLM dock master or dock hands may drive the houseboats.

Q: Some of my party would like to come in to the marina during the rental.

A: If you anticipate wanting or needing to go back and forth from the marina during your stay, we recommend a smaller vessel to do so (yours or ours). Houseboat guests may rent a standard pontoon for $365 for an entire mid-week or week-end rental. The houseboat may only be docked at the marina by our staff and docking must be pre-scheduled. With a pontoon, you can come and go from the marina at your leisure during daylight hours. There is no night navigation by rental pontoons or houseboats.

Q: If I choose the pre-boarding option, can we depart when we arrive instead of the next day?

A: With pre-boarding, we make the houseboat available to you 5:00-6:00 p.m. the evening before your scheduled departure. Your entire party does not need to arrive by 6:00 p.m., just one person that we can go over the boat with (lights, heat, a/c, etc.). We never send a houseboat out on the lake in the evening because you need time to get up the lake and get the boat tied off before dark. Plus, our insurance does not cover night navigation. You will be first in line for departure the next morning.

Q: What is the age and condition of your boats?

A: Our newest houseboat, Miss MaK, is a 2023 model. Our original houseboats (Miss Murr and Miss Audrey) are identical in floor layout, design, and amenities. They are 2002 models that have been regularly updated. Maintenance is a regular ongoing activity. We are proud of our boats and work hard to keep them properly maintained.

Q: Is there Television or Internet service on the boat?

A: There is a modern 21” television in the living area. There is limited service, so the TV is mainly for DVD’s or games (bring your own). There is limited service once you are on the lake. On a good portion of the lake, you will get cell service.