Taking a trip on a houseboat is all about getting away from the stress of your everyday routine while taking time to relax and recharge your batteries. Houseboat getaways are a great way to have a fun and memorable vacation and are always an exciting experience for first-timers and regular guests. However, if you're new to houseboating, you might be eager to get familiar with the logistics of your boat, so here are three tips to remember while on your adventure!
Is This Thing On?
So you notice a radio next to your steering wheel on your houseboat. What? No iPod hookup? What gives? Well actually, that's your marine radio, used for communication while you're out on the lake. As you'll notice when you get out there, there isn't much cell phone signal, so the marina radio is very important in case you need to communicate with other boats or the marina. Your houseboat instructor will go over all you need to know on how to use this baby, just keep in mind that it's meant for emergency or official communication purposes only, and not for ordering pizza.
Where to now Captain?
Piloting a houseboat has many similarities to driving a car, and most people are able to get the hang of it very quickly. However, it is important to always be aware of your surroundings, to ensure you don't get into any trouble on the open water. Most marinas are marked where shallow water is present and where subsequent rocks may be, but it is still important to keep a watchful eye out for these hidden hazards. Navigate your boat earlier in the day, because around 3-4 pm is when the Sun reflection is at its most blinding against the water and may inhibit you from seeing such hazards.
“The Boat Wave”
Even if you're new to houseboating, you can still act the part of a pro when you're out on the water. Take it from us, playing the part of a seasoned lake traveler is very similar to driving your Jeep on the highway. Give other boaters a friendly wave while you're out there, but make sure to keep your distance if you're getting a bit close to another vessel. Five to ten boat lengths should do it. Also, when in doubt, keep to the right when it comes to boat traffic. Ask our marina staff for other boat etiquette tips too, they have some great advice.
Martin Wynn
