New commerical charter boat will soon cruise Clear Lake

Clear Lake will soon have another commercial charter boat on its waters.

Mike Maulsby, owner of Clear Lake Boats, received permission from the Clear Lake City Council Monday night to locate a 44-passenger charter boat at the 16th Ave. S. public access.  The Council, on the unanimous recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Board, granted a permit to operate a commercial charter boat.

Using the City’s lease with the Lady of the Lake as a template, the Council unanimously granted a permit for the balance of the 2015 season, Aug. 3 to Oct. 15.  The annual permit fee is $500, the same as the Lady of the Lake.  The cost will be pro-rated for the partial 2015 season.  Insurance requirements and licensing fees were also stipulated in the agreement.  Maulsby has done his due diligence with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Coast Guard to confirming the vessels’ seaworthiness.

Maulsby attended Monday night’s Council meeting and explained the boat is a 53-foot Miller, originally built in 1963, re-powered in 1988.  Maulsby and his crew took the vessel down to bare deck and refurbished it entirely.

“We expect to have it in the water this week,” he said, adding that Snyder Construction would be lifting the boat onto a lift and getting it to the water.

Mayor Nelson Crabb and City Administrator Scott Flory said they have seen the new boat and consider it a nice addition to the lake.

The charter boat will not impede the usage of the 16th Ave. S. boat ramp in any way for the public, and the owner of the South Shore Inn and The Landing, located adjacent to the public access, has expressed his approval for the boat.