Owner Santos Ramirez started Keep Austin Wet in 2012 after moving to Austin from Corpus Christi. Unimpressed with the boating experience in Austin at the time, Ramirez wanted to create an elevated experience of his own.
What started as one boat on Lake Austin has developed into a company serving around 15,000 customers in 2021 with 10 boats. Since 2021, Keep Austin Wet has operated out of Paradise Cove Marina on Lake Travis.
“The whole idea is just for us to provide a safe boat rental experience for basically anybody who loves the lake,” Ramirez said.
Keep Austin Wet offers party barges, pontoons, and a surf and wake boat, serving parties of 10-25 people per boat and up to 50 people for combined party barges. Captains take groups from bachelor and bachelorette parties to family reunions and company outings to enjoy spots on Lake Travis including Devil’s Cove and Cypress Creek.
“When you get on a boat, your whole goal is to be able to sit back and relax while we take care of everything,” Ramirez said.
He said all captains are highly experienced, holding all necessary licenses and CPR certifications.
On the surf and wake boat, customers can go wakesurfing, wakeboarding, water skiing and tubing, with lessons provided by the captains.
Special amenities such as stand-up paddle boards, aqua lily pad floats—which are 6-foot-by-8- foot floating foam mats—and Wet Sounds stereo systems allow Keep Austin Wet’s boats to stand out, Ramirez said. Boats are also a maximum of two to three years old, kept in quality condition.
Bookings can be made online and are taken until 1 p.m. the day of a trip, Ramirez said. Depending on the season and day, pricing varies, with special prices on Monday through Thursday and the most expensive pricing on Saturday.
Boats offered
- The Wakemaker ($675* for 3 hours): Up to 10 guests
- The Party Barge ($600* for 3 hours): Up to 25 guests or 50 for combined parties
- The Poshtoon ($450* for 3 hours): Up to 14 guests
*Listed prices are for peak season, running from May to Labor Day
Keep Austin Wet
17141 Rocky Ridge Road, Austin
512-815-5935
www.keepaustinwetwatercraft.com
Office hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., boat rentals seven days a week
