If that sounds like you, then seriously consider houseboat vacations. A vacation onboard a houseboat is enjoyed by thousands of families all over the world and a great way to enjoy your summer vacation. You have the opportunity to spend time with your family, and most importantly, keep your sanity.
A houseboat is pretty much a house on water. Houseboats are the ideal answer for families. Houseboats have a flat bottom and for the most part shaped like a rectangle. They usually have a cabin that is shaped like a square and offers a majority of space.
No matter where you go, you can find a number of rivers and lakes that have houseboats to rent. If you want to go coastal, no problem! Most places allow families to rent houseboats a week at a time. A fair comparison to a houseboat would be the typical family RV, with maybe a little bit more space. They offer bedrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, and lots of deck space. The only difference from your average RV is the fact that they are on the water. Also, if you are looking for a lot of space, most places have large houseboats you can rent.
Houseboat vacations do take some planning, especially if you are taking the family. If you have small children it might not be the best idea to take one of these vacations. Even though almost all houseboats have safety rails, safety should be a number one concern with children. For toddlers, being around water is too good of a chance to get into some trouble, and boat safety isn’t a concern. Even with lifejacket’s, which is always recommended, it can still be a danger to small children. It might be more stress than fun for everyone, so it probably would not be worth the hassle. A boating vacation is great for kids who are around 7 years old and older. Also, it is a good idea to teach your child to swim, if they don’t know how already, when you are planning one of these vacations.
Even if you have older children, there are a few safety precautions that need to be taken. Wearing a life jacket at all times can prevent a major travesty from occurring. Also, it’s a great idea to have some type of phone or radio handy, so you can contact authorities in case a problem occurs. This is easier than trying to get a boat that’s passing by to stop and help.
Houseboat vacations can make an amazing and extremely relaxing way to bring the family together, without it being a pain. You can rent a houseboat pretty much where ever there is water; all you have to do is figure out where you would like to go. Whether it’s to the Finger Lakes in New York, or somewhere along the coast, you can be sure that it will be a vacation the family doesn’t forget. |
