Motor Boatin' Bloggin'

How Self-Towing Works

April 21, 2026

Not everyone needs boat delivery and Motor-Boatin' makes it easy to bring the boat to the lake of your choice. Self-towing is a flexible, budget-friendly option for renters who have a vehicle with towing capabilities and want to take the rental experience into their own hands.

Here's what to know before hitching up and heading out. 

What Self-Towing Actually Means. When choosing the self-tow option, the renter picks up the boat on its trailer and hauls it to their preferred inland freshwater lake. This opens up access to some of North Carolina's best water—Falls Lake, Kerr Lake, Gaston Lake, Jordan Lake, Hyco Lake, Mayo Lake, and more. It's a great fit for groups who already have a favorite fishing spot or a lake closer to home that they'd rather launch from.

What's Needed to Self-Tow? Before booking a self-tow rental, make sure the towing vehicle is up to the job. The setup should include:

●       A properly rated hitch. 

○       Everything takes a 2-inch ball, but we have balls to rent. No need to stop at Walmart to purchase a new ball… you bring the hitch, we have the balls! 

●       A vehicle with sufficient towing capacity for the boat and trailer

○       You can rent a truck that you can tow with through Enterprise Rent-A-Truck

●       A valid driver's license (renters must be 21+)

Not sure if the vehicle can handle the tow? It's always worth checking the manufacturer's towing specs before committing. When in doubt, reach out before booking and the team can help figure out if self-towing is the right call.

Picking Up and Launching. The process starts at the Motor-Boatin' location, where staff will have the boat prepped, fueled, and ready to go. From there, the renter hauls it to the launch site of their choice. Most public boat ramps are straightforward to navigate, but first-timers should allow a little extra time for the launch—backing a trailer down a ramp takes a little practice. After the rental window, the boat goes back on the trailer and gets returned to Motor-Boatin'. Simple as that.

Self-towing puts more of the logistics in the renter's hands, which is a great thing for those who want freedom. Just remember that the same rental rules apply regardless of where the boat ends up—no pets, no grills, no tubing behind jet skis, and all passengers must wear life vests while underway. Review the full guidelines at the time of booking to make sure the day goes smoothly.

Check availability and book online at www.motor-boatin.com. It's one of the best ways to turn a Motor-Boatin' rental into a full day adventure—on whatever lake feels right.  Have a great time Motor-Boatin'!