If you’ve never rented a houseboat before, you might be uncertain about a few of the basics associated with them. You may wonder about things like the materials you should bring or the safety elements you need to keep track of, all of which are totally normal concerns if this is your first time.
At American Houseboat Rentals, we’re here to ensure you get a great first experience on a houseboat. We have a number of great specials available, plus pros who can assist you with every in and out of your rental to make sure you have a wonderful time. With that in mind, here are a few basic do’s and don’ts we recommend for first-time houseboat users.
DO
- Plan in advance: Houseboat rentals are extremely popular in their busy season, which is generally the central summer period. Make sure you plan out your trips and make your reservations well in advance, particularly if you’re looking at these peak times.
- Budgeting: A big part of your planning will relate to your trip budget, which will include much more than just the rental fee for your houseboat. You’ll also have to consider food, supplies, fuel costs, and any additional boats or other watercraft you want on the houseboat – such as motor boats or jet skis.
- Layered clothing: We recommend packing clothes that layer well, as even during the summer, temperatures can vary between the day and night. You also may want loose pants during the day for sun protection.
- Organization: Assign roles to people on the boat, such as captain, cook, clean-up crew and more.
DON’T
- Wait too long to reserve: As we noted above, things get busy for houseboat rentals in the early summer and tend to continue that way through the entire season. Do not expect that options will always be available if you look to book last-minute, and know that prices might be far higher even if there’s availability at the times you’re looking for.
- Overlook policies: Take the time to go over all basic policies included in your rental, including cancellation policies and any fees involved. There are generally dates by which cancellation is allowed, plus dates after this where it either will not be allowed or may require a fee of some kind.
- Skimp on food: Before taking your houseboat vacation, take some time to make a daily meal plan for everyone who will be attending. Plan out the ingredients you’ll need for these, and then pack a bit extra just in case.
- Pack too many items: Know that many items, such as bedding or kitchenware, will be included standard in your rental. You don’t have to bring these kinds of things and risk crowding your available packing space. Ask our pros about exactly which items are and aren’t included before you start packing.
For more on what to do any not do on your first houseboat vacation, or for information on any of our destination houseboat rentals, speak to the staff at American Houseboat Rentals today.
