Specialties
"We put butts in boats and smiles on faces!"
Located on easy-access low docks in the downtown turning basin of the historic city of Petaluma, The Floathouse is your gateway to the Petaluma River’s unique tidal waterway. As a nonprofit-run gem, we offer the largest variety of small craft anywhere, from kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards to pedal boards, water bikes, and rowing boats.
Whether you're after a solo adventure, a family outing, or a romantic paddle, our fleet has something for everyone—like deluxe Schiller water bikes, Hobie pedal kayaks, classic rowboats, and more. Our friendly, water-savvy staff will help you find the perfect match for your group, mood, and budget.
Choose from affordable rentals (60, 90, or 120 minutes) or dive into curated experiences like guided tours, private lessons, and special tidal paddles. We specialize in creating unforgettable, place-based adventures tailored to you—without breaking the bank or spending hours planning.
Ready to explore? Join us at The Floathouse, where the Petaluma River comes alive with possibility and fun for all.
History
Established in 2006.
Our nonprofit parent, Petaluma Small Craft Center, was founded in 2006. In 2008, we started "putting butts in boats and smiles on faces" with Small Craft Summer Camps and Sailing Camps, Day on The River, etc. We raised $1 million from the community and a few big donors (Lind Marine, SF Bay Area Water Trail) and in 2022, we opened The Floathouse, a boat rental and experience center situated on 170' of low dock, with a tent kiosk, solar power and a lot of boat racks and a huge variety of boats-- right in the center of town. Our vision of Petaluma River Access for All is behind everything we do; Since the beginning, we've advocated for a greater river trail, Petaluma Water Ways, with other access points for boating, fishing, and river gazing, wildlife viewing and community building. We collaborate with agencies and local businesses to bring you closer to the water, closer to nature, and closer to your best self. As we say, if we can dream it, we can do it! Join the Floathouse family!
Meet the Manager: Greg S.
I’ve always had an affinity for the water, and when I returned home to Petaluma from college and my post-graduation travels, I had enough money to buy either a car or a boat. I bought the boat, and that began my long affair with the Petaluma River. In the early 1980s, I co-founded the North Bay Rowing Club, and in 2006, I co-founded the nonprofit behind The Floathouse, the Petaluma Small Craft Center. Because we can effect change in our communities through civic action, I've served on various City committees including the River Access & Enhancement Committee and the Petaluma River Access Partners (PRAP). As Executive Director of PSCC, I bring passion, determination (read “stubbornness”) and a “jack-of-all trades” experience to our efforts to help make a great RIvertown even better.