Rubright Marinas · FAQ
FAQ for Our Old Hickory Lake Marinas and Barren River Lake
Boaters ask us the same handful of things at the fuel dock, in the stores and over the phone. This page gathers the answers in one place for our two Old Hickory Lake marinas in Tennessee and our two Barren River Lake marinas in Kentucky. Whether you are weighing a slip, booking a rental at our Barren River Lake marina or checking a Tennessee boating license rule, start here.
If your question is not here, phone 615-452-9876 and our office staff will point you to the right person.
About our Old Hickory Lake marinas and Barren River
Where are your marinas?
There are four, two per lake. Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee: Gallatin Marina in the town of Gallatin, plus The Boathouse at Benders Ferry near Mount Juliet. Barren River Lake, Kentucky: Peninsula Marina outside Glasgow, and Barren River State Dock at Lucas.
Which location is nearest to Nashville?
Gallatin Marina, roughly a thirty five minute drive from downtown. People living east of the city, in Hermitage, Lebanon or East Nashville, often reach The Boathouse faster.
Is Barren River State Dock the same as Peninsula Marina?
No. They share a lake and an owner, but the state dock sits within the resort park and handles rentals, which makes it the busier spot. Peninsula is smaller and caters mainly to slip holders.
How do I reach a specific marina?
Gallatin Marina and the corporate office share 615-452-9876. The Boathouse at Benders Ferry is 615-758-2999, Barren River State Dock is 270-646-2357 and Peninsula Marina is 270-646-2223.
Storage and slips
What storage do you offer?
Covered slips in Gallatin, Lucas and near Glasgow. Open slips at both Kentucky locations. And dry storage on the Tennessee side, in Gallatin and Mount Juliet.
How much does storage cost?
Every quote is built around four things: which marina, which kind of storage, the boat’s size, and a seasonal or annual term. Share the length, beam and height by phone and you will get current pricing.
How does a dry storage launch work?
You pick a time in the SpeedyDock app, the crew lifts your boat off its rack with a forklift, and the boat is afloat by the time you park. Afterward, they put it back.
How far ahead should I book a launch?
On a normal weekday, booking that morning is usually enough. For a summer Saturday, book the evening before so you get the time you want.
What is the largest boat you can rack?
There are limits on length, beam, height and weight, and they differ by building. Height is the one owners most often miss, especially with a tower or hardtop. Call with the make, model and measurements and the team will check.
Can a pontoon go in dry storage?
Sometimes. Pontoons ride on a forklift differently from V hulls, so it comes down to the model. Share the length and beam to find out.
Do you have jet ski storage?
Yes. We have jet ports, raised platforms that hold a personal watercraft clear of the lake right beside the dock. Space varies by marina and by season, so ask the location you prefer what is open.
Will a covered slip be free when I want one?
They are the most popular option, so ask early in the year. Slips do open up mid season as owners sell or move, so a later call can still pay off.
Is launching included at The Boathouse?
Yes. Launch and retrieval come with storage there. Fuel, if you ask for it, is charged by the gallon pumped.
Can you winterize my boat?
Talk to the staff at your marina before the first hard frost. They will explain what your engine and plumbing need and what can be arranged on site, so nothing freezes and cracks.
What happens to a racked boat in winter?
It stays on its rack through the off season. At The Boathouse the racks are inside a building, so the boat is under cover the entire time.
Fuel and the marina stores
What kind of fuel do you sell?
Every location pumps 100 percent ethanol free gasoline treated with Primrose Fuel Additives.
Why avoid ethanol in a boat?
Blended gas absorbs moisture while it sits in a boat tank, and the water can separate and sink to where the engine draws fuel. Ethanol also softens older rubber hoses and loosens deposits that clog filters.
Can I fuel up if my boat is stored somewhere else?
Yes. Visiting boaters are welcome to buy fuel and supplies in Gallatin, at Peninsula and at the state dock. The Mount Juliet Boathouse fuels only its own storage customers.
Can I shop at The Boathouse store if I do not store a boat there?
The Boathouse is set up around its storage customers. If you are out on Old Hickory Lake and need supplies, head for Gallatin Marina, where the dock and store welcome any boater.
What can I buy at the stores?
Lake day basics: bagged ice, cold drinks, snacks and ice cream, sun protection, clothing, rope, small hardware, boat supplies and life jackets. Each location stocks a slightly different range.
Boat rentals
Where do you rent boats?
Only at Barren River State Dock, our Kentucky location within the state resort park at Lucas. Choose between pontoons and fishing boats.
How much does a rental cost?
Day rates depend on the boat and the date, and weekends and holidays are the busiest. Call the state dock at 270-646-2357 for current rates and what is free on your day.
When should I reserve a rental?
For summer weekends, as early as possible. Midweek and shoulder season dates are often available at short notice.
Do I need a Kentucky boating license to rent?
Kentucky treats it as a boater education certificate, needed by drivers born January 1, 1984 or later on boats with ten or more horsepower. Bring the card and a photo ID.
Can I bring my dog on a rental boat?
Mention your dog when you call to book. The state dock team will tell you what applies to the boat you are renting before you arrive.
Hours, visits and the rules
When are the marinas open?
Opening hours follow the boating season, peaking from Memorial Day weekend until summer ends in late August, easing off in spring and fall, and pausing for winter. Each location’s schedule is on our marina hours page.
When is the corporate office open?
Weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM, year round, at the Gallatin Marina address, 727 Marina Private Rd.
Do you open on federal holidays?
Yes, with long hours: 8 AM to 8 PM on every federal holiday, stores included. After a Monday holiday the marinas close on Tuesday.
Can I tie up for a visit or stay aboard overnight?
During opening hours, visiting boats can pull in at the Gallatin, Peninsula and state dock fuel docks. For anything longer, including an overnight stay, call the marina before you set out so the team can tell you what space is available.
Is there lodging near Barren River State Dock?
Yes. The resort park offers lodge rooms, cottages and camping, which you reserve with the park directly.
Do I need a Tennessee boating license?
Tennessee calls it a boater education certificate. If your birth date is January 1, 1989 or later, you need one from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency before operating a motorized boat. The course is available online.
What safety equipment does Tennessee require?
Each person needs a life jacket they can wear. Boats of sixteen feet or more also need a throwable flotation aid, most motorboats need an extinguisher, and every boat needs a way to signal by sound.
Didn’t find what you needed? Use the form on our contact page, or phone the office, and we will pass it to the right marina.
Talk to the marina that fits your boat.