f you've ever wondered what it takes to build a boat rental business that families come back to year after year, Pierless Boat Rentals is a good place to start.
Pierless launched in 2009 with a simple idea: deliver rental boats to Wisconsin lakes that didn't have any rental options of their own. That dockside-delivery model kept the business busy from 2009 through 2012, but it was clear early on that one lake in particular was where the demand lived. In 2013, Pierless made Green Lake its home base and it's been the hub of their operation ever since.
Why Green Lake?
Green Lake holds the title of Wisconsin's deepest natural inland lake, and it's become the anchor for Pierless's growth. Today, the lake keeps a fleet of 26 boats in steady rotation, which means Pierless no longer needs to run off-lake deliveries the way it did in the early years. They do still operate a satellite location in Southern Wisconsin, delivering to lakes throughout that region for renters who want the same experience closer to home.
For anyone planning a trip, Pierless's team has a clear favorite: their slide boats. "It's a great ride down," they say and the view from the top, looking out over Green Lake, is worth the climb alone. Beyond the slide boats, Pierless rents tritoons, speedboats, and waverunners, giving renters a range of ways to spend a day on the water.
What Keeps Renters Coming Back
Ask Pierless what they enjoy most about the business, and the answer isn't really about boats at all. It's about watching families have fun out on the water and seeing the same faces return summer after summer.
That repeat business has become something bigger than casual rentals. For a lot of families, Pierless has become part of an annual tradition: a Fourth of July outing, a family reunion, a yearly rite of summer. "It's flattering to be picked to be a part of that family's special event," they shared.
Running a Growing Fleet Isn't Simple
Scaling from a handful of boats to a fleet of 26 doesn't happen by accident. Pierless is candid about what it actually takes: keeping boats maintained and running smoothly, answering the phones, directing crew, managing the website, and getting every boat cleaned and ready, all without much of a break during the busy season.
Their advice for anyone considering a boat rental business of their own is straightforward: it takes real time and dedication, and there's no real down time once the season starts.
How Technology Changed the Day-to-Day
Pierless has watched their operation evolve alongside their fleet, and technology has played a big part in keeping things running as they've grown. Letting renters book their own reservations online freed up staff time that used to go toward phone calls and manual scheduling. A centralized calendar keeps everything organized and, just as important, helps avoid double-bookings. And in the off-season, Pierless uses reporting to look back at the year and decide where changes to their boat lineup make sense.
Why Pierless Chose BookingCentral
Pierless has been with BookingCentral for years, and the relationship has grown alongside their business. A few things stand out for their team:
- Support that's actually there. Pierless says BookingCentral is always available to answer questions as they come up.
- Software that adapts. As their business has changed, BookingCentral has evolved with it and Pierless can modify the platform to fit the specific needs of a boat rental operation.
- Multi-location organization. With both the Green Lake hub and the Southern Wisconsin satellite location, having separate setups for each keeps the business organized rather than juggling everything in one place.
- Advance auto pay. On busy days, this feature alone has made a noticeable difference in how smoothly things run.
Looking back, Pierless doesn't mince words about the alternative: they can't imagine going back to pen-and-paper reservations.
What's Next for Pierless
Pierless isn't slowing down. Their fleet is continually evolving to meet what renters are actually asking for, and the plan going forward is simple: keep providing high-quality boat rentals on the lake that started it all.
FAQ
Where is Pierless Boat Rentals located?
Pierless is based on Green Lake, Wisconsin — the deepest natural inland lake in the state — with a satellite location serving Southern Wisconsin lakes as well.
What types of boats can you rent from Pierless?
Pierless offers tritoon rentals, slide boat rentals, speedboats, and waverunners.
How long has Pierless Boat Rentals been in business?
Pierless started in 2009 and has operated on Green Lake since 2013, growing to a fleet of 26 boats.
What reservation software does Pierless Boat Rentals use?
Pierless runs on BookingCentral, using features like online self-booking, centralized scheduling, and advance auto pay to manage a multi-location fleet.
