When you’re nearing the end of an enjoyable day on the water at a destination like Lake Powell or Lake Mead, the houseboat captain or drive has a significant task ahead of them.
Finding an ideal spot to anchor the vessel. This is the place where you can dock for the evening and set up camp, and there are a few important considerations here.
At American Houseboat Rentals, we can help you with all these kinds of details as you browse our various vacation specials. The wrong practices while docking a houseboat can not only lead to less fun on the lake, they can also lead to damage to the houseboat and additional expenses you weren’t planning on. Let’s go over some good tips for finding a great docking spot.
Observation and Scouting
For starters, begin to scout out possible locations for docking earlier in the day as you enjoy the lake. If you see secluded areas or others that look nice, note their location and plan to return a bit later on as the sun is going down. Once it’s evening time and you’re honing in on your favorites, check for details: Is there enough sand on the bank? Is there enough shade and wind protection to keep the boat from moving too much? If you’ve also rented a smaller dingy or jet ski, have someone take this and ride into the beach itself. They can check for several details from up close and then report back.
Below the Surface
One of the most important areas to check, both from the houseboat and from your smaller scouting vessel if you have one, is the depth of the water below the surface. Parking too close to any large rocks near the surface of the water is a major risk – if the boat moves significantly during the night, you risk scratching or otherwise damaging it. This is a vital area that you have to be sure not to forget.
Behind the Boat
In addition, make sure you check near the back of the boat in your parking location. This is the area where slides or jump-off points are generally located, but you have to be sure these kinds of activities are going to be safe. If there’s only six feet of water behind your houseboat, for instance, it’s unsafe for guests to be diving into the water.
Room For Other Boats
Particularly if there’s wind or chop preset in the water, it’s important to leave some space between yourself and other houseboats when you park. Even if your boat is properly tied down and/or anchored, there’s still a chance of drifting by a few yards in any direction.
For more on proper parking tactics for your houseboat, or to learn about any of our houseboat rentals or destination planning services, speak to the pros at American Houseboat Rentals today.
