How do I Rent a River Boat on the St. Johns River?
Houseboating is a wonderful way to spend time and build memories with friends and family. You can enjoy the changing scenery of the river, looking for wildflowers or alligators as they bask along the banks of the St. Johns River in Florida. Fish lazily from the deck. Pull up at a park. Look for manatees and other marine life. Explore the shallow tributaries that feed into the river.
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Instructions
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Contact one of the many companies that rent houseboats on the St. Johns River, such as St. Johns River Escape in Sanford, Holly Bluff Marina in DeLand or Two Helms in Georgetown. You must have a valid driver's license and be older than 25 to rent a houseboat.
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Ask about houseboat sizes, including number of bedrooms and number of people each will sleep. Inquire about cost, which during high season in 2010 ranged from about $1,200 to $2,800 per week. Some of the items that might affect rental price are the houseboat's overall size (38 feet to 53 feet), the number of bedrooms, the number of bathrooms and the types of furnishings.
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Make your reservation and provide your personal information, such as name, address and telephone number.
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Pay the required deposit by credit card or send a check if that is acceptable. The companies listed here required a $500 deposit in 2010.
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Arrive at the marina on time on your first day of rental. Present your driver's license and be prepared to sign a waiver of liability. Bring any personal items you will need, such as clothing and medicine. Have insect repellent and a valid Florida fishing license if you plan to fish from the houseboat. Bring any food you will need in coolers packed with ice because most refrigerators on houseboats are small. Bring lots of water for drinking if you prefer bottled water to city water.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit River image by Ð'и'‚алий from Fotolia.com
