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When you have a choice, do you want to drive a houseboat? This question is often asked by newbies, but the answer is no - most people will choose to drive. Whether or not you can drive a houseboat depends on the experience you have, and the boat's condition. If you're comfortable in this role, here are some tips to help you get started: Renting a houseboat Considering renting a houseboat? You've probably heard the many benefits of renting a boat, but there are also some disadvantages to renting a houseboat. The boat owner may not get back his houseboat and you may have to share it with other boaters. Houseboats are noisy and not as private as they seem. Here are some ways to make your houseboat rental experience more pleasant. Listed below are some things to keep in mind before you rent a houseboat. Before you rent a houseboat, inquire about the boat's length, electricity, and power generators. Do they provide linens? Are they available? If so, how often do you need to bring food? How much food can you store onboard? Will you have access to supplies for cooking? What about the local waterways? Are they accessible? What do they do in the event of an emergency? Once you have a clear idea of the length of your houseboat rental, you'll be able to sign the contract. To make your houseboat rental experience as pleasant as possible, research the companies. Many houseboat rental companies have websites where you can compare prices, houseboat types, and marina amenities. In addition, make sure to find out about the companies' policies and safety records. This way, you can make sure you rent the perfect houseboat for your trip. Just keep in mind that houseboats are typically booked months in advance, so don't hesitate to book well in advance. Starting a houseboat If you want to own your own houseboat and take advantage of the great waterways, starting a houseboat rental business is an excellent idea. Houseboat rentals are usually lucrative and have a large number of potential customers. In addition to making a great income, houseboat rentals also provide a rewarding work environment. The average gross margin of a houseboat rental business is 43%. Below are the steps to building a houseboat rental business. Ensure you have the space. While you might be a seasoned woodworker, you may be lacking in certain areas. Therefore, you will need a wide skill set. If you don't know how to build a houseboat, don't be afraid to seek professional help. Look for a contractor with experience building houseboats. Make sure they're licensed to work in your area and have a proven track record in building these boats. If you have no prior experience driving a boat, don't worry. Driving a houseboat is not difficult for experienced drivers, but docking it isn't. However, if you're a complete beginner, boat rental companies usually provide a puller for you to get your houseboat to dock. Many companies even have instructors on board to help you out if you're unsure about driving. When you get to the water, your houseboat should be able to go at a minimum of seven miles per hour. Turning a houseboat When you first start driving a houseboat, you may not have any idea how to turn the boat. You may not have brakes, but the houseboat has levers instead of pedals. Houseboats have no brakes, so you must slow down by turning the throttle back. Turning the throttle back will slow the houseboat down faster than friction, so you should use this technique when docking in a harbor. Once you're ready to dock the boat, practice your turning skills. You'll need to slowly approach the dock and reverse the throttle. Make sure you don't back away too quickly or you'll end up damaging the boat. Practice makes perfect, so you may need to get a little assistance from a friend. Turning a houseboat is an important skill that you'll have to learn, but it's definitely worth it! When you're ready to tie down your houseboat, first place stakes near the dock. These stakes are incredibly strong. Make sure they are at least 45 degrees away from the houseboat, as this will give you the most leverage on shore. Then, tie down a rope to the stake. The rope should be tied tight, but leave a little slack. You can adjust the stakes later if necessary. Docking a houseboat While there are many advantages to owning a houseboat, docking one is not the easiest task. The process requires patience and practice. A video by Houseboat Holidays in Gananoque, Ontario, shows you how to dock a houseboat with ease. Before you can dock your houseboat, you need to know where you will dock it. Once you have a place for docking, you must prepare everything else. The best way to dock a houseboat is to get a few people to help you. A group of people can help you pull the boat into position and avoid having to worry about crashing into the dock. This is especially useful if you have no experience in docking a houseboat. Ideally, the houseboat is hooked up to the dock in the fastest possible time. If you're renting a houseboat, a dock crew may be present to assist you with this. The safety of the boat is paramount. Houseboats are designed for lakes and rivers, not the open ocean. While they may not be ideal for crossing the ocean, they are well-suited for travel in the same water bodies. They travel at a speed of approximately 7km/4.4mph. In other words, you can expect to cover between 15 and 20 miles per day. If you're docking the houseboat yourself, you should always leave enough space between the houseboat and any other boat in the area. Taking your time on a houseboat Houseboat rentals are often well-equipped with kitchens. Depending on the houseboat rental, you may prefer to bring a grill or a specific cooking equipment. Regardless, houseboat rentals usually offer space for most items, so you can cook any meal you want without having to worry about the size of your fridge. Houseboat rentals also offer lots of options for fun activities. You can watch wildlife or rent Jet Skis if you like, or play games to pass the time. When planning your itinerary, you'll want to pack layers of clothing. Bring a bathing suit or tank top if the weather turns chilly. You'll also want to pack some sunglasses or a visor for protection. Besides clothing, other necessities to pack include a flashlight, cooking oil, condiments, and salt and pepper. Of course, don't forget to pack plenty of coffee. Once you're aboard, make sure to check the surroundings and position of your houseboat before leaving it. Start the engine at a minimum speed, and check out the lakeshore to ensure your boat's position isn't in an unsafe place. If you have no previous experience operating a houseboat, brush up on the basic rules to prevent an accident. A few hours of practice and a little research can help you get used to the houseboat lifestyle. Keeping a line on a houseboat When anchored, a line is used to secure a boat while traveling on a lake. Houseboat anchor lines come in a variety of lengths, but the average is about 100 feet. Some houseboats include three lines, while others may only have two. Nylon is the most common type of anchor line, but braided nylon is stronger and more flexible. Twisted rope is cheaper, but it's less taut. Generally speaking, the inside shore line and most aft cleat should be at an acute angle of 60 degrees. The diameter of the rope should be increased for larger houseboats, while smaller houseboats may only have one shore line on each side. Regardless of the length, all houseboats should have an emergency shore line in case of an emergency. It is important to follow West Marine's specifications when choosing a line, and never try to rig it yourself. Rules to follow when driving a houseboat Driving a houseboat is not unlike driving a car on the road. You must always pay attention to buoys to stay safe. Here are some rules you should follow. You should always keep your speed below the speed limit and observe all the rules and regulations of the lake or river where you're sailing. You must also pay attention to the signs and signals along the shoreline to avoid snags. Once you have all of these tips down, you'll be ready to take the wheel of your houseboat! Houseboats have steering wheels and throttles. It's not a car, so don't try to speed or make tight turns. Start out slowly and aim for your destination. With the tips above, you'll be cruising around the lake without a hitch! However, if you plan to drive a houseboat while it's in motion, make sure you know how to follow the rules and regulations in your state. Before starting the engine, check your surroundings and position of the houseboat. Always start and use the minimum speed to avoid any collisions with rocks or trees. Make sure to read the lakeshore rules before starting your engine and adjusting your speed accordingly. Once you know how to steer, you can enjoy the experience and bond with your family. Just remember to use the minimum speed recommended for the lake in which you're traveling. https://www.youtube.com/embed/JTjPCYdKc4I

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