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Post by monklady123 on Jun 3, 2017 14:12:05 GMT
Heading out now to Costco to stock up on a few things -- frozen burgers, wine (it's in PA which has draconian liquor laws), etc. -- but I'm wondering what I'm not thinking of. When my dh first suggested this trip I thought "hm...a boat trip, nice". Then I started reading the website to discover that it's kind of like camping, only on a boat so a bit cushier maybe. Keep in mind that I dislike camping so come tell me any tips you might have, and anything you forgot that you wish you'd remembered.
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Post by sudie on Jun 3, 2017 14:30:20 GMT
Long time houseboater here. Keep meals simple, don't plan on spending all day in the galley. Houseboats range from very basic (no electric generator and no hot water) to very luxurious. If you have to run a generator all day (which you do on the newer boats in order to keep the refrigerator cold, run A/C, etc.) be careful when swimming - stay away from the generator exhaust. With most newer boats, this is not a problem, but on older boats the exhaust would "collect" under the swim platform and create a hazard. I don't want to scare you, because I really think in most states they have addressed this issue and boats are made to have the exhaust go away from the swim platform. This would just be something to ask them when you board the boat.
Be sure to go through the boat prior to boarding to make sure there is nothing broken. If there is, even something minor, bring it to their attention before you leave so that you are not blamed for breaking anything.
Ask them about the marine toilet. I haven't been on one of the newer boats in a while, but a lot of them require that nothing goes into the toilet unless you have eaten it first. Yes, this means toilet paper too. Things may have changed in this department, so ask them about it.
We rented houseboats for a couple of years and had so much fun we ended up buying our own. We are now on our third houseboat. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Have fun!!!
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Post by ntsf on Jun 3, 2017 18:13:43 GMT
be sure you know the boating part,, anchoring, docking, what to do if the engine quits, weather patterns, emergency supplies and lifejackets..
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Post by monklady123 on Jun 3, 2017 19:05:30 GMT
Long time houseboater here. Keep meals simple, don't plan on spending all day in the galley. Houseboats range from very basic (no electric generator and no hot water) to very luxurious. If you have to run a generator all day (which you do on the newer boats in order to keep the refrigerator cold, run A/C, etc.) be careful when swimming - stay away from the generator exhaust. With most newer boats, this is not a problem, but on older boats the exhaust would "collect" under the swim platform and create a hazard. I don't want to scare you, because I really think in most states they have addressed this issue and boats are made to have the exhaust go away from the swim platform. This would just be something to ask them when you board the boat. Be sure to go through the boat prior to boarding to make sure there is nothing broken. If there is, even something minor, bring it to their attention before you leave so that you are not blamed for breaking anything. Ask them about the marine toilet. I haven't been on one of the newer boats in a while, but a lot of them require that nothing goes into the toilet unless you have eaten it first. Yes, this means toilet paper too. Things may have changed in this department, so ask them about it. We rented houseboats for a couple of years and had so much fun we ended up buying our own. We are now on our third houseboat. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Have fun!!! Thanks. Apparently on these boats it works to run the generator some of the time to charge up.. .what? the boat batteries? I have no idea but that's what is suggested. The marina supplies a large cooler and we're bring ours also. They sell block ice which apparently works better at keeping things cold. They suggest not using the refrigerator for things that we'd need often, like drinks, but to keep those in the cooler. We're allowed to use toilet paper but only what they provide. I will try to have fun, but it may be too much like camping for my liking.   It's only four nights so I suppose I'll survive. |
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Post by monklady123 on Jun 3, 2017 19:08:39 GMT
be sure you know the boating part,, anchoring, docking, what to do if the engine quits, weather patterns, emergency supplies and lifejackets.. Yeah, they have a video that those who are going to drive have to watch, as well as safety info. They give us radios in case of problems. Also, this marina -- probably because of past bad experiences, lol -- pilots the boat out of the marina area for you, then a little boat comes to pick him up. Same when we return...we radio ahead and the pilot meets us to take the boat back to the pier. Apparently we'll learn enough from the video to do the rest of the piloting ourselves. I can't imagine how that can be true but I guess they know what they're doing. lol |
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It's only four nights so I suppose I'll survive.