Hi, we’re Jeff and Eric, a high school math teacher and a union pipefitter that own Tonka Boat Rentals. We started TBR to provide access to one of the most amazing lakes in the country. Our families spent many summers on the water making memories that our kids still talk about today. We’re proud to offer our community hourly rates that help make Lake Minnetonka accessible and create multi-generational experiences that will create lasting memories.
Lake Minnetonka borders fourteen cities and has over 125 miles of shoreline with luxury homes, amazing properties, boat-up bars and restaurants, and stunning beach towns. We offer power boats featuring swim platforms, ladders, and Bimini covers, with skis and tubes included.
Our Story
Meet the Team
Our team is composed of experienced captains who are passionate about boating. Each member brings unique knowledge and a commitment to exceptional service, ensuring your boat is in the best hands.
Captain Eric
Some of my favorite family memories were days spent on the water. Lake Minnetonka has 125 miles of shoreline and has changed so much over the last 50 years. One of my favorite things about being on Lake Minnetonka is checking out all the boats that have no earthly business being on a lake in Minnesota. I started renting boats during the Covid pandemic with my son Cole and we realized that there was an opportunity to provide access to one of the most amazing lakes in the country.
Captain Jeff
My name is Jeff and I am one of the owners of Tonka Boat Rentals. I have been boating and fishing for as long as I can remember and this felt like such a perfect fit to join up with Eric to get people out on the lake. It’s been a journey to get here. I started my professional life working as a concrete mason. Working in the trades led me to get my Journeyman’s Electrical License, and I practiced for 10 years before moving on. For the past 15 years, I’ve been a Math and AVID teacher at Robbinsdale Cooper High School. As a teacher, working at the lake in the summer was a natural fit. Along with me, my wife Sheri works on social media for TBR. And my 2 boys, Wyatt and William are looking to join the company this year. When I’m not teaching or on the lake, I enjoy skiing, biking fishing and camping with friends and family. Also traveling to anywhere on the ocean! I am excited to be a part of TBR and look forward to seeing you on the lake.
Captain Tyler
I love being a captain. It’s super fun to take people out on Lake Minnetonka and show them the best swimming and tubing spots, or share some lake history. When I’m not taking groups out on the lake, you can find me playing the pedal steel guitar as my alter ego Cabana Boy or hanging out with my two dogs, Gracie and Harrison (aka Buddy). My wife and I love to travel and wherever we land in the world, we try to get out on a boat charter and snorkel or take some kayaks for a padel. As a TBR guide, my goal is to help you create and enjoy your experience, so let me know…what’s your perfect day on the lake?
Captain Cole
Our family would spend as much time on the water as possible during the summer. I got my boating license at 12 or 13 and have been driving ever since. I have been working as a captain at Tonka Boat Rentals since the start, and after graduating from the University of Kansas, I also accepted the role of director of business development. I enjoy taking my friends on the lake after work to float and relax on the water.