Sea Raycers

[3boymthr]

DS(13) wants to do this in a bad way and I inquired how much just yesterday. I was told $34.12 for a half hour including tax. We'd be renting from YC cause that's where we're staying.

 

[Wendynat]

Are you allowed to switch drivers halfway through the ride? For example, my son and husband go out for 45 minutes, then come to shore/dock and I get on with son and go out for 45 minutes. Or would the swap out take too long if you have to do another set of paperwork, etc?

 

[disneymayz]

Are the boston whalers available at all locations? Mainly bay lake and seven?

 

[DisnLuvr]

We are thinking about renting some sea raycers at Wilderness Lodge probably, just because I also want to see the resort, but I have a couple of questions:
1. I read there was a weight limit (320 pounds per boat), so me and DH would have to each rent our own, can you easily ride by each other and it's still safe? Can you stop in the lake and sit in the boat to enjoy the scenery, or is this unsafe?

2. I want to use the buy 60 min get 30 more free coupon you recieve with your package. Right now I was planning on me buying 30 min so we can be on the water together, and then him buying 60 to get 90, after my 30 minutes are up can we switch off for the remaining hour thats left on his boat?? Or will they let you get two boats and each go for 45 min, instead of one with 90 minutes w/ the coupon????

3. Are they super fun??? We are in our twenties and have never jet skied, or driven a boat by ourselves???

4. Any other tips/advice


Thanks! I can't find too much information on sea raycers out there.

It is fun .. Last time when we spent our time we did have a great time. Well you are right we crossed the 400 level and rented two.. We stayed closer to each other to talk and crack a few jokes

 

[BCV23]

wpxc, thanks so much for your detailed and expert help. Your post should be in a sticky somewhere!

 

[Mel6197]

doing it with my kids at Coranado, I dont really care about the speed, Ive never drivin a boat so slower is probably better.

Id really like to know about splitting up the ride, 1 kid for 30 min another kid for 30 min?

Is it like a gas and no gas petal? Stearing wheel like a car?

Ive drove paddle boats before if that helps...

 

[TheWog]

Thank you.

 

[justintime]

Does anyone have a picture of these? I had never heard of them until I started reading these boards. Are they appropriate for a 4 or 6 year old to drive as a passenger, or do you think they would be frightened?

 

[MainStFan]

Another question for those who visit during the summer ... I understand that you can't 'reserve' a time for the Sea Racers (they are first come / first served). How easy is it to find available boats during June / July? Do they all get booked up quickly or are boats usually available? Is this something I should do in the morning in order to find an available boat?

Also ... I haven't been to Florida during the summer in many years, but as I recall it was a daily occurrence to have afternoon rainstorms (usually around 3:00). Should I expect this in June? Are there better / worse times of the day to take the boats out?

Thank you to everyone for the great information!

 

[BCV23]

doing it with my kids at Coranado, I dont really care about the speed, Ive never drivin a boat so slower is probably better.

Id really like to know about splitting up the ride, 1 kid for 30 min another kid for 30 min?

Is it like a gas and no gas petal? Stearing wheel like a car?

Ive drove paddle boats before if that helps...

I don't know about splitting but yes, there's a gas pedal and steering wheel. They really remind me of the cars at the Speedway minus the rail that keeps those cars in place. No brakes, they sit very low in the water and are easy to drive.

Does anyone have a picture of these? I had never heard of them until I started reading these boards. Are they appropriate for a 4 or 6 year old to drive as a passenger, or do you think they would be frightened?

All kids are different of course but our sons loved riding in the boats at those ages. Their first rides were at 3&1 and they had fun then too. Our DD was never a fan but I think she didn't like the noise.

Another question for those who visit during the summer ... I understand that you can't 'reserve' a time for the Sea Racers (they are first come / first served). How easy is it to find available boats during June / July? Do they all get booked up quickly or are boats usually available? Is this something I should do in the morning in order to find an available boat?

Also ... I haven't been to Florida during the summer in many years, but as I recall it was a daily occurrence to have afternoon rainstorms (usually around 3:00). Should I expect this in June? Are there better / worse times of the day to take the boats out?

Thank you to everyone for the great information!

We've only been a couple times in June...well, three I guess. Anyway, afternoon showers are common then. There usually seem to be plenty of availability when we've been there.

I'm sure more will be along to help you.

 

[BCV23]

Here's a photo from another DISer:http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=23349504&postcount=6

 

[wpxc]

Time to answer some more questions and make some corrections, .

We are staying at the FQ in June. I know that you rent the Sea Raycers at the POR. Where are you allowed to take them? Do you need to make reservations way in advance?
As I said before the entire canal system that connects Port Orleans, DTD, Saratoga, and Old Key West is fair game.

If you rent SeaRaycers on Seven Seas Lagoon and/or Bay Lake, Please stay well away from the larger WDW Watercraft (launches, cruisers and ferry boats) operating on these 2 lakes. WDW Watercraft pilots have no resevations about reporting those operating SeaRaycers unsafely to Lake Patrol who will then take appropriate action to include terminating the unsafe operator's experience.
+1

DS(13) wants to do this in a bad way and I inquired how much just yesterday. I was told $34.12 for a half hour including tax. We'd be renting from YC cause that's where we're staying.
This is correct, the prices I listed earlier were pre-tax.

Are you allowed to switch drivers halfway through the ride? For example, my son and husband go out for 45 minutes, then come to shore/dock and I get on with son and go out for 45 minutes. Or would the swap out take too long if you have to do another set of paperwork, etc?
Most locations will allow you to do this. You will need to return to the dock you rented from in order to switch out drivers and/or passengers. All of the drivers and passengers under one rental name can be done on the same paperwork. This is easy to do on the smaller lakes on property, but keep in mind that Bay Lake & Seven Seas are very large so it takes time to return to your home marina.

Are the boston whalers available at all locations? Mainly bay lake and seven?
They are available at all locations, but just like the Sea Raycers their speed is limited on smaller lakes.

Is it like a gas and no gas pedal? Steering wheel like a car?
All of the boats use a typical steering wheel like you would find in a car, however the steering does respond a little bit differently but does not take long to get used to. None of the boats use gas pedals, they are all controlled by a throttle system. This might scare people, but there are no brakes on boats, you must shift into reverse to completely stop your forward motion. Again, this does not take long to get used to and the lakes are very open.

How easy is it to find available boats during June / July? Do they all get booked up quickly or are boats usually available? Is this something I should do in the morning in order to find an available boat?
Most marinas have at least 15 Sea Raycers on hand, the marinas at the larger lakes have even more. If for some reason all of the boats are out, it typically does not take long for some to come in. Morning is definitely the best time to rent a boat, but also be aware that many people think the same way and get to the marina as soon as it is open. But don't worry, it doesn't take long for boats to return.

Also ... I haven't been to Florida during the summer in many years, but as I recall it was a daily occurrence to have afternoon rainstorms (usually around 3:00). Should I expect this in June? Are there better / worse times of the day to take the boats out?
From late May until early September the 3:00pm thunderstorms are like clockwork, it's amazing. Take a boat out in the morning to enjoy a rain and lightning free experience.

 

[BCV23]

Time to answer some more questions and make some corrections, .

We are staying at the FQ in June. I know that you rent the Sea Raycers at the POR. Where are you allowed to take them? Do you need to make reservations way in advance?
As I said before the entire canal system that connects Port Orleans, DTD, Saratoga, and Old Key West is fair game.

If you rent SeaRaycers on Seven Seas Lagoon and/or Bay Lake, Please stay well away from the larger WDW Watercraft (launches, cruisers and ferry boats) operating on these 2 lakes. WDW Watercraft pilots have no resevations about reporting those operating SeaRaycers unsafely to Lake Patrol who will then take appropriate action to include terminating the unsafe operator's experience.
+1

DS(13) wants to do this in a bad way and I inquired how much just yesterday. I was told $34.12 for a half hour including tax. We'd be renting from YC cause that's where we're staying.
This is correct, the prices I listed earlier were pre-tax.

Are you allowed to switch drivers halfway through the ride? For example, my son and husband go out for 45 minutes, then come to shore/dock and I get on with son and go out for 45 minutes. Or would the swap out take too long if you have to do another set of paperwork, etc?
Most locations will allow you to do this. You will need to return to the dock you rented from in order to switch out drivers and/or passengers. All of the drivers and passengers under one rental name can be done on the same paperwork. This is easy to do on the smaller lakes on property, but keep in mind that Bay Lake & Seven Seas are very large so it takes time to return to your home marina.

Are the boston whalers available at all locations? Mainly bay lake and seven?
They are available at all locations, but just like the Sea Raycers their speed is limited on smaller lakes.

Is it like a gas and no gas pedal? Steering wheel like a car?
All of the boats use a typical steering wheel like you would find in a car, however the steering does respond a little bit differently but does not take long to get used to. None of the boats use gas pedals, they are all controlled by a throttle system. This might scare people, but there are no brakes on boats, you must shift into reverse to completely stop your forward motion. Again, this does not take long to get used to and the lakes are very open.

How easy is it to find available boats during June / July? Do they all get booked up quickly or are boats usually available? Is this something I should do in the morning in order to find an available boat?
Most marinas have at least 15 Sea Raycers on hand, the marinas at the larger lakes have even more. If for some reason all of the boats are out, it typically does not take long for some to come in. Morning is definitely the best time to rent a boat, but also be aware that many people think the same way and get to the marina as soon as it is open. But don't worry, it doesn't take long for boats to return.

Also ... I haven't been to Florida during the summer in many years, but as I recall it was a daily occurrence to have afternoon rainstorms (usually around 3:00). Should I expect this in June? Are there better / worse times of the day to take the boats out?
From late May until early September the 3:00pm thunderstorms are like clockwork, it's amazing. Take a boat out in the morning to enjoy a rain and lightning free experience.

More great info. Thanks for helping us.

Sorry about the wrong info on a gas pedal! On Sea Raycers, it's controlled by the throttle?? I had totally forgotten that!

 

[Carol17]

I have rented the sea racers twice. The first time was at the Contemporary. As we were leaving the dock, we were told to stay to the right of the bouy(sp?). What did I do? The opposite for some stupid reason. So I got stuck in the sand and someone had to wade into the water and push me out!

The second time, we rented from the WL. A friend and I each rented a sea racer. My friend got a little too close to the deserted island. Next thing I know, I am getting pulled over by patrol boat! He told me not to go so close to the shore of the island in the middle of the lake. He was really after my friend, it wasn't me I swear! Anyway, I didn't argue, I just apologized and went on my way.

As someone else mentioned, stay well away from the other large boats. Don't try to cross in front of them or out run them. They will lay on the horn at ya!

I would be careful about taking the camera/video camera. My friend simply circled around my boat as we chatted. This created a mini tidal wave and I got soaked through! Have you ever walked around in soaked jeans? Ugh! Have you ever tried to take off soaked jeans! LOL!

All in all, it is fun, but I was a little leary both times. I stay well away from everyone!

 

[jessrose18]

Hello again! Thanks everyone for making this thread full of useful info! I have finally decided that we will both rent searaycers from Fort Wilderness Campground for 90 minutes and then eat at Trails End Buffet for dinner. I noticed on the picture of the sign that pete and crew took that the rental counter closes at 5:00, so do you have to return before that time???? Thanks again everyboday!

 

[cheerful chickadee]

this thread should be a sticky! I had all my questions answered without having to post my own thread/post, thanks!

 

[Charleyann]

Our son will be 12 when we are at the Poly in January. I thought I saw somewhere that he could drive a searacer but would that be his own or with adult supervision? Thank you!

My 12 year old son drove one at Christmas time / 08. He wasn't allowed to ride alone, but with an adult. This was at POR. We drove to Downtown Disney and back. He was beaming with pride!

He wants to rent these again.....


Charleyann

 

[skatermom]

I read somewhere in a previous thread that the same deal (rent 60 get 30 extra minutes) applies to AAA discount.....has anyone confirm this?? Also can the voucher we get be used for more than one raycer??

 

[aubriee]

I read somewhere in a previous thread that the same deal (rent 60 get 30 extra minutes) applies to AAA discount.....has anyone confirm this?? Also can the voucher we get be used for more than one raycer??

I don't know about the AAA discount, but I just looked at the voucher that I got last week for my May trip. It says, 'Offer is valid for up to five people', so I guess it's good for up to five raycers if all are single riders?

 

[two*little*birds]

this thread should be a sticky! I had all my questions answered without having to post my own thread/post, thanks!

I agree, we can't wait to rent some sea racers on our upcoming trip!