A vacation spent on a houseboat, whether for a few days or a
whole month, can be a truly memorable experience. Whether it's a newly
married couple celebrating their honeymoon on a lake or a large group of
college friends reconnecting on their 20th reunion with a week-long
river cruise, there's sure to be a houseboat that is the perfect fit for
every trip.
With so many houseboat options, it's important to
take some time to decide the size of the craft that you need, the number
of sleeping accommodations required, dining and living quarters,
especially if you prepare all of your meals on board, the time of year
and your travel budget.
Houseboat Design and Amenities
Houseboats
can vary in size depending on the number of people that it needs to
accommodate and the amenities on board and outside the craft that are
required. Couples or small groups of up to four people will find that a
small craft measuring up to 35 feet long is best suited for them. Small
crafts, built out of aluminum and fiberglass, will hold up to 55 gallons
of fuel, 30 gallons of water, and 80 gallons of propane.
Inside,
the kitchen area will include a refrigerator, two-burner range with
oven, a microwave along with several cabinets for storage. The dinette
area, complete with wall-length booths, can seat up to four people. Some
craft even allow the dinette area to be converted into a sleeping
berth.
Bedroom accommodations on smaller houseboats often consist
of one queen sized bed or a sleeper sofa found in the living area that
converts into a bed. If you prefer to sleep outside on top of the deck,
especially in warmer weather, a sleeping tent can be included in your
rental.
The houseboat will also come equipped with a Radio/CD
Player, TV and DVD player along with all safety features including
navigation lights, sounding horn, ships bell and smoke/carbon monoxide
detector.
For larger groups of up to 18 people or for those that
want to enjoy more amenities during their houseboat cruise, a bigger
boat measuring 60 feet long with 84 feet of head room will provide
maximum style and comfort during a week-long cruise. Bigger houseboats,
that hold 230 gallons of fuel and 130 gallons of water, can include up
to five staterooms, with each room outfitted with their own queen sized
bed and personal entertainment center.
Guests can have a hot tub
that sits next to an outdoor suntan deck area where anyone can work on
their tan right in the middle of any lake. The deck area can include a
built-in fish finder radar system for those who want to catch bass,
trout, or wall-eye. The fish can then be grilled on a outdoor barbecue
grill or inside the kitchen that features a 25-cubic foot refrigerator,
30-inch range with stove, microwave, dishwasher and trash compactor.
After a long day of sightseeing or enjoying a swim at a nearby beach, guests can step into an expanded living area on the houseboat rental
measuring 30 feet wide. As they sit on leather sofas next to a roaring
fireplace, guests can sip their favorite beverage and enjoy a full
entertainment center that includes a 32-inch flat screen TV, DVD player,
surround sound music center and video game console.
Solid wood
cabinets and multiple closets will provide plenty of storage space for a
week-long trip. Two bathrooms, both equipped with showers are standard
on larger houseboats. Wheelchair accessibility and elevator or lift
service can also be included for guests with special needs.
As
each houseboat can vary in size and features offered, be sure to consult
with your houseboat rental company to determine the best craft for your
vacation.
Budget and Season
Rental rates
for a houseboat will vary depending on the area you wish to visit, the
size of the boat, the length of your visit, and the time of the year
that your trip will take place. The bulk of the season at most lakes and
rivers ranges from late May to early October with June and July often
being the most popular and most expensive time of year for houseboat
rentals.
Smaller vessels in the early part of the season can be
rented for approximately $2222 for a week while larger vessels that can
hold up to 14 people or more, can rent for $8000 a week in the peak
summer swing starting from early June through July.
Rental prices
often include garbage disposal, septic service, propane, drinking water,
insurance, taxes and fuel, but it's important to verify all services
included before agreeing to a rental. Many rental operators will accept
an upfront deposit to hold a vessel but often prefer to receive the bulk
of the remaining payment from one person. So if you are planning a
group trip with everyone pitching in to cover the costs, be sure to
decide who will be the main contact with your rental company.
Packing For Your Houseboat Trip
Since
you will be spending most of your time on your houseboat and away from
land, it's essential that you bring enough food and water for your whole
group as you might not be able to replenish your supplies right away.
If you expect to cook most of your meals in your houseboat's kitchen,
bring along utensils, plates and cookware.
For your sleeping and
living quarters, be sure to pack blankets, sheets and pillows as well as
any household and bathroom items that you'll need.
Packing a
swimsuit is a must but for those hoping to enjoy fishing from the deck
of their houseboat, it's a good idea to bring along your own reel and
bait as renting them from the area you are visiting might cost more than
you expected.
Finally, be sure to double check the amount of
storage space that your houseboat has so that you don't over pack and
can't fit everything on board when it's time to launch.
10:47 PM
Tags :
houseboat vacation
,
meals on reels
Subscribe by Email
Follow Updates Articles from This Blog via Email
No Comments