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Scheduling:
If your schedule is flexible you can save a lot of money by renting your houseboat during the "off season"
and at some marinas just by going on weekdays.
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Dale Hollow Lake
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Expenses:
Rental Fees
Fuel
Food & Beverage
Fishing License & Bait
Camera Film & Batteries
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Fuel Use:
One of the main things people wonder about is how much fuel the
houseboat will use. Of course this all depends on several things;
fuel cost, how much you drive around, and how much you use the
generator. At most marinas when you start the trip with the tanks
full, and you are required to fill the tanks when your trip is
complete. I think in most cases
people will spend around $30 per day on gas. However, on
Our houseboat Rental
Vacation we were satisfied spending most of our time in one secluded cove. We
only used $75 worth of gas for a 4 night trip and this included fuel
for a john boat also. It probably would have been much less if we had
been more conservative with the generator.
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What to Bring:
It's imperative to know what is supplied by the marina where you rent
your houseboat. Some marinas will supply everything except your
clothing and food, while others require you to bring your own towels
and bedding. We have a Checklist of
the major items we brought with us but of course this will very
with personal tastes, group size and the items provided with your houseboat.
Meals:
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Navigation:
Before your trip be sure to study maps of the lake and if your
familiar with the lake maybe even pick a few options for your where
you will park the houseboat at night. A
GPS is a highly
useful tool for navigating around the lake. Lakes such as
Dale Hollow have over 620 miles of shoreline making getting lost
a real possibility. |
Bringing your own boat:
Can you bring your own ski boat, personal watercraft, or fishing
boat? Yes, in many cases a small boat is not only recommended, but
required. If you don't have one they can usually be rented with the
houseboat. Be sure to be aware of the requirements when booking your
houseboat. The reason they may be required is for safety and
convenience. If you need a bag of ice or other small items you don't
want to have to drive the house boat all the way back for this. Also
if you run out of gas or the houseboat breaks down a second boat can
make things a whole lot easier. |
Weather:
If you go anywhere for a number of days you can expect to encounter
some rain. The temperature can vary greatly depending on the time of
you go and the region visited. Do some research and find out the
historical high's a low's and plan accordingly.
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Emergencies:
Cell phones are good to have along in case of an emergency. Know the
marinas phone number and of course most places in the US use utilize
the "911" system for medical type emergencies. However, you can not
always get a good signal. So be certain at least two adults on your
trip know how to operate the boat and get back to the marina. It is
also a good idea to let the marina know the general area you will be
in if you know. Two-way radios also come in handy. |
Check-in & Check-out Times:
Be aware of the time you are required to return your houseboat. Late
returns often hold expensive late fees. |
