How to Rent a Houseboat

Houseboating is popular worldwide, with hundreds of rental locations in North America alone. Choose a destination and plan ahead for the perfect vacation on a lovely lake or river.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Check with local travel agencies, or do a search on the Internet, for a list of companies that rent houseboats across the United States and abroad.

2. Call a few of the rental companies listed in the area you're interested in visiting. Find out what services they offer and request an information packet. Most important, ask for references and check them before making your decision.

3. Choose family or friends to share the vacation with you, if desired. Most houseboats can accommodate a dozen or so people, so you will be saving money if you split the costs.

4. Decide how luxurious you want your accommodations to be. Houseboats can come with everything from VCRs and air conditioning to fully stocked kitchens and hot tubs.

5. Obtain a list of exactly what you need to bring. The rental company should give you this information in advance.

6. Submit a confirmation deposit once you have selected a rental company. This is usually around $300 to $500, and is refundable at the end of the trip as long as the boat is in good condition when you return it.

7. Expect to pay the full rental amount either one or two months before your trip, depending on the time of year and the company you choose.

Tips & Warnings

• Not every outfit on the same body of water charges the same amount to rent a houseboat. Call around.
• Although you don't need prior nautical experience, you may be nervous about steering or maneuvering a houseboat. Be sure the rental company provides enough instruction so that you feel confident.
• Ask about seasonal price differences, if any. Choosing a vacation during the area's off-season may save you money.
• Since houseboating is so popular, don't expect to drop in at the last minute and get what you want. Operators suggest making plans and reservations up to a year ahead of your vacation to guarantee availability.

[GetATrip]

on 3/2/2009 Hey I happen to think this article is cool. I personally lived on a Houseboat in the Kashmir,India for a couple of months -- had a fabulous time. I am in development of a comprehensive one-stop travel resource and it never dawned on me that houseboats could be a neat little niche. Inspiration! 5* plus

on 11/22/2005 Houseboats are expensive to fill up with gas and they're slow for getting around - so you might want to bring along a jet ski or two for quick excursions.