Important Application Information

For the summer of 2027, RTO will offer full season buoy rentals.  Due to increased demand, there may be a shortage of buoys for homeowners. To help maximize buoy access for all members, it is required to provide accurate information regarding buoy needs for the season. On the application, please indicate any months you will not need a buoy as this information helps RTO reassign unused buoy time to those who may not have received a buoy assignment. This section is part of the required application information. Applications submitted without this information will be considered incomplete. NOTE:  If RTO can assign your assigned buoy to another homeowner for the month(s) you indicate you will not need it, the cost of your assigned buoy rental will be prorated based on the time shared with another homeowner. 

To apply for a buoy, complete each step below.  Confirming that each step is completed correctly will ensure that your application is eligible for a buoy assignment. Buoy availability depends on demand and are assigned randomly.  You will receive an email confirming receipt of your application upon submission. Early April, you will receive a second email notifying you whether or not you have been assigned a buoy for the 2027 season.  If you do not receive a buoy assignment, RTO will contact you directly and will shred your check unless you have communicated alternative instructions.

• (NEW) One application per boat or other watercraft;

 

• (NEW) Multiple applications for different boats or watercraft must be sent to the same buoy manager;

 

• (NEW) Boat insurance certificate naming “Rubicon Tahoe Owners, Inc.” as additional insured is required. In the past alternative language was accepted, however effective immediately, RTO must be listed as Additional Insured. Contact your insurance broker to ensure RTO is listed correctly.

 

• Address for RTO Additional Insured: 

  Rubicon Tahoe Owners, Inc.
  c/o HOA Accounting Services
  2261 Market Street, #4100
  San Francisco, CA 94114

 

• Boat insurance with liability coverage (i.e., Bodily Injury and Property Damage combined) of at least $300,000 combined single limit per accident

  
  OR

  Bodily Injury coverage of at least $250,00 per person and $500,000 per accident AND Property Damage coverage of at least $100,000 per accident

 

• Insurance policy must be effective as of 5/28/27

 

• $675.00 Check payable to “Rubicon Tahoe Owners, Inc.” with check memo stating “2027 Buoy Rental Fee” and your Rubicon street address (e.g., “1111 Scenic Drive”);

Total Boat Length (Including swim platform, outboards, etc.)

Buoy Usage: PLEASE CHECK All SEASON USAGE OR ANY MONTHS YOU WILL NOT NEED A BUOY. *NOTE: If RTO is able to assign your assigned buoy to another homeowner for the month(s) you indicate you will not need it, the cost of your assigned buoy rental will be prorated based on the time shared with another homeowner.

• To avoid violating the terms of our State Lands Lease, do not allow others to use your buoy or sublease a buoy to anyone or otherwise facilitate the use of your buoy in any way.  Violations will risk losing current and future buoy privileges.  Contact the appropriate buoy manager for buoy rental information for cabin renters.  If rental buoys are available, Cabin Renters must apply for their own buoy and provide the required documentation.

 

• Buoy Season opens on May 28th  (Friday of Memorial Day weekend) and closes on September 30th.  RTO reserves the right to remove any boat or mooring line left on buoys after September 30th and will charge the Homeowner for the cost of this removal and storage.

 

• If a boat owner leaves their boat on a buoy later than September 30th, it is at the homeowner’s own risk, and they assume full responsibility for any issues, damage or other circumstances that may arise during that time.

 

• Maximum overall boat length including swim platforms and all other projections:
  • South Field: 26 feet, including the swim platforms, outboard motors etc.
  • North Field: 22 – 25 feet*, including the swim platform option (*Note, there are limited buoys for 25’ boats)

This refers to actual boat length, which may be different than the way the boat is marketed by the manufacturers. For example, a Cobalt 252 is marketed as a 25’ boat but is actually 27’-7” with the swim platform option and is therefore too long for either Rubicon buoy field. Other examples include the Cobalt 250 (27’), Nautique G25 (27’-1.5”), and the Cobalt R7 Bowrider (27’-5”). RTO reserves the right to reject applications for boats exceeding the maximum lengths.

 

• If application includes incorrect boat length information and boat exceeds RTO’s maximum length, it’s the owner’s responsibility to remove boat within 24 hours’ notice. If the boat is not removed within 24 hours of notification, RTO has the right to have boat towed and stored, at the owner’s expense.

 

• Maximum buoy/mooring line length: 10 feet (NEW Requirement). In addition, we strongly encourage using 2 mooring line floats to reduce wear on your boat and buoy. Obexer’s or other marinas may have these is stock.

 

• If replacing your boat during the season, notify the buoy manager of the change and provide:
  • Updated Insurance Policy
  • Make, Model, Year, Length including any extensions (Platform, Outboard motor etc)

 

• Boat owners must be familiar and comply with all federal, state and county regulations, including boat driver licensing.

 

• Do not leave boats unattended at the pier or wait at length for your passengers when others are trying to get to the pier. Please cooperate if the Beach Attendant asks you to move your boat.

 

• Do not leave the dinghy on your buoy. Use the dinghy for boat retrieval only, not for boat maintenance, recreation, exercise or to entertain your guests or children. Stow the dinghy oars inside the dinghy (not left in the oar lock or hanging in the water) and make sure the dinghy is securely attached to the designated/ labeled dinghy post at the end of the pier after you are done using it.

 

• Do not leave recreational equipment attached to your boat while moored. This extends the area needed and makes navigating the buoy field difficult for other boats.

 

• RTO must be listed as “Additional Insured” and meets all minimum insurance requirements before a buoy is assigned.

 

• If the Boat Owner is different than the Homeowner, RTO reserves the right to review the Buoy Application to ensure compliance with the State Lands Lease terms. Buoy rentals are only available to homeowners and their immediate family, which includes spouse, domestic partner, children and grandchildren (not cousins, uncles, nieces, friends, etc.).

 

• Homeowners must be current and in good standing on their annual RTO assessments to be eligible for a buoy.

 

• It is your responsibility to verify that your boat has been moored on the proper buoy. If your boat is not on the proper buoy, we will move your boat to the proper buoy and the homeowner will be billed for the cost.