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Floating Fun
Houseboat Vacations Offer Fun, Solitude and a Means to Reconnect with Family
By Suzy Feine
Some houseboat rental facilities ask that you tow a smaller boat for emergency reasons. A ski or fishing boat is ideal and can provide hours of recreation, giving you the freedom to travel to remote locations unreachable by houseboat, go to shore for additional supplies, explore islands, water ski or fish. "We brought our boat along so that we could ski and tube whenever we wanted," says Rognholt.
The beauty of a houseboat vacation, though, is the relaxed atmosphere and uncrowded surroundings you'll find. "The lake was quite remote, and we didn't see many other boaters during our weeklong trip," says Rognholt. "[Our family] enjoyed the freedom to choose where to go and when to stop and swim."
If you've never rented a houseboat, here are some tips to make your first trip smooth sailing:
- Determine the appropriate length of stay. "Some may want to consider three to four days, rather than an entire week, for the first time," says Ebel. "We find that most people who take only a short stay come back for a week."
- "Pick the time of the season that, if you are traveling with children, it will be warm," says Ebel.