Hi--I'm thinking of renting a houseboat for the next family vacation, and I'm just wondering a few things. First, where are good areas in the southeast U.S. to do this? Second, what specifics should I be looking for about the boat, ie: horsepower, etc.? I checked into this a little, and a lot of boats come with a fly bridge. What is this? Any info would be greatly appreciated. It will be for 3 kids and 7-8 adults. Thanks!

Another question--any particular rental companies you would recommend, or not recommend? Thanks!

Look up Hontoon Island on the St. Johns River in Central Florida. I have never rented one but plan to soon. Good Luck

My sister recommends Dale Hollow Lake in Kentucky and Tennessee, and friends have enjoyed houseboating on Kentucky Lake. Go to <www.houseboat.net> for lots of info on lakes, marinas, and rentals all over the country. When I wasgrowing up my family had a houseboat on the Ohio River, and we spent most of our summer weekends cruising the river. I have many happy memories of this; you and your kids will have a great time on a houseboat vacation!

Wow-eight adults and three kids, that is a boat load. Firt question to you is-are all of you planning to sleep on board? I would have to say that you need something more than 40 feet long. Most large boats only have three state rooms that sleeps two per room and usually a sofa that opens up to a bed. If you get a boat with a fly bridge than they kids can use their sleeping bags up there.

I have never seen a house boat with a fly bridge. Are you talking about a trawler?

Things to remember, you are at the mercy of Mother Nature and there may be a day or two that the weather will be too bad to travel.

You only get one mile per gallon, so plan on tons of money for fuel. You will probably be using a canal system or a river, so plan on going sloooooooow. Going slow is not bad,, you can enjoy the scenery and each other. Have a game plan -
plan ahead IE: what port do we want to get to and at this port is there a place to buy fuel, food and probably place to do some laundry unless you rent a boat with a washer and dryer. We are avid boaters and do most of our traveling by boat every summer and love it.

If I were you - hire a captain and you can enjoy your trip even more. Hope you have a safe trip -enjoy,enjoy,
enjoy.

PS. One last thing to take into consideration, make sure that that you are good friends with the people you are traveling with because the quarters are very close and there is no place to escape.

Our family went to Dale Hollow (sulphur Creek) www.sulphurcreek.com and had a wonderful 4 days! If you go, do not get the 70ft elite as that fleet is old and not in good shape. Rent the 80ft Escapade. It has 6 bedrooms and everything you need including a washer and dryer. Also rent a small fishing boat to pull behind you so that you have a small faster boat each day to go to the nearest marina with your trash and to pick up ice. When ready to stop for the day just slowly run your bow up on a nice beach area and then tie off to trees. You can have a bon-fire on the beach for hot dogs or marshmellows and the kids love it. Stop somewhere they will be able to swim as the houseboats have slides from the top deck. PS. A flybridge is the uppperdeck where you can also run the boat. You do not need a captain as you will be able to captain the boat yourself. The rental marina will give instructions and they do not go fast at all and you have a ship to shore radio on board in case of problems.

Thanks for all the great info. Any additional input will be greatly appreciated!

ttt