May 13, 2004 -- With few exceptions, most big rivers and lakes have a place where you can rent houseboats, putting you in control of the pace to get where you're going. If you've never done it before, it's relatively easy to learn quickly. Best of all, it's almost always a guaranteed budget vacation, since costs are split between you and your houseboat-mates.
Forever Resorts operates rental offices in five states (Arizona, California, Missouri, Nevada and Texas), leasing boats that run in size from 44' sleeping up to six persons to 70' sleeping up to 10. Prices are based on a variety of criteria including size of the boat, time of year and number of days (renting a smaller boat off-season for a week will net you the cheapest dollar-a-day total, but who wants to be on a lake in December?).
For example, on either Trinity Lake or Lake Don Pedro Marina in California, a 44' will lease from as little as $795 for a 3-day weekend or a 4-day midweek trip from October- April. Spring season rates bump up to $995 for the period running from May 1 to June 6. Peak season skyrockets up to $1,495 through September 4 before they head south again.
Forever Resort, in business since 1981, has a page of special offers this year, each deal varying by marina, so you must call for specific details. The "Slide into Summer" program offers $300 to $1,300 off between June 8 and June 18. The "Dog Days of Summer" deals are also $300 to $1,300 off, good from August 21 through August 31. "Fall into Fall" bargains are said to be $300 to $500 off between September 21 through October 4, 2004, and in November, savings of $200 to $700 are on board between November 5 and November 20, 2004. For the latter, prove you are a veteran at the time of boarding and you get free early boarding. Contact them at 800/255-5561 or visit www.foreverhouseboats.com.
The Seven Crown Resorts people have houseboat vacations that start, for summer rates, three days, two nights, at $2,250 on Lake Mead. (Summer is defined as May 28-31 and then June 14 to September 6, 2004). For the same two-night deal, the value rate price is only $1,850 through May 27, then again from June 1-13, and from September 7 - December 31. The prices are for a Grand Sierra houseboat, which can sleep 13 comfortably with two bathrooms, three air conditioners, complete kitchen, gas barbecue and more. Contact them at www.sevencrown.com or phone 800/752-9669.
Cruising the Upper Mississippi can be pleasant, as well as Huck Finn-scenic. A good place to rent here is S&S Rentals, on South Front Street in Lansing, Iowa, in business since 1960. For the rest of the year, the firm is offering a discount coupon worth $150 on any Sunstar houseboat rental. Regular rates for the 50-foot Sunstar, which sleeps six, are $1,276 for midweek or weekend cruises off-season, $1,595 in summer. (Off-season is before June 17 and after Labor Day). A full week would cost $2,041 off-season, $2,552 in summer. They have cheaper craft, too, like a Liberty Bell (sleeping 8 to 10 passengers) going for as little as $956 midweek or weekend off-season, $1,520 for a full week. Contact them at 800/728-0131 or 563/538-4454, e-mail ssrental@sbtek.net.
Lake Powell is currently experiencing some serious water-level issues, but it's still navigable. For more information, please read this article from last fall.
Finally, for an excellent site covering the entire USA and Canada, look at www.houseboatrentals.com, where you can also find rentals in Australia and other countries, as well as general information about living aboard such craft, including an article about converting to canal boating in New York State, for instance.