Houseboating suggestions...

[Lego Man]

So I'm tasked with organizing a house-boating trip for my friends stag this August long weekend and I'd like some help.

I've never been house-boating so I don't know all the important things to look out for. It will be for about 10 people (ages 26-30), and we aren't looking to spend too much - but we aren't unrealistic either.

Within Alberta/BC, what are the best lakes and best companies to do business with? What sort of cost am I looking at? What are your personal experiences with the whole process and do you have any tips and/or recommendations?

[4X4]

You better get cracking. It's pretty unlikely that you'll get a boat for August long at this point. You kinda needed to book it back in Feb or March.

[Lego Man]

Originally Posted by 4X4

You better get cracking. It's pretty unlikely that you'll get a boat for August long at this point. You kinda needed to book it back in Feb or March.

Uh oh. Well the responsibly wasn't placed on me until yesterday so I don't feel guilty.

[Northendzone]

I'd say the most important thing is getting a boat, if it floats, then even better.....

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by 4X4

You better get cracking. It's pretty unlikely that you'll get a boat for August long at this point. You kinda needed to book it back in Feb or March.

Second that, though I have only had experience with Twin Anchors in the Shushwap. Usually started planning in the fall for the following summer for those excursions due to the high demand.

If you somehow manage to get a boat for the Shushwap then I would highly recommend that though. Can drive to either salmon arm or sicamous I believe. Then just park your boat at Nelson beach all weekend

Good luck!

[Lego Man]

So I googled Shuswap and started calling a bunch of places... yeah August long weekend probably isn't happening lol.

Is Shuswap hands down the best place to go boating in Alberta/BC?

[moon]

What is the best probably depends on age/likes. I know it is a stag so I assume party/drink all weekend is the plan and if so from what I have heard (only been to Shuswap) then yes Shuswap is the top place to go.

I know my sister-in-law and her family have had a blast at Kookanusa but that is with kids aged 7-10 so not sure if it is the same party atmosphere that Shuswap is but likely can have a blast at any place if you have a good group going.

When we went it was a full on party 24/7 while out there and if that is the plan I would say to over buy on booze, its a pain to run out and underestimate on your cooking abilities/desires out there, simple food/prep is best.

[Nufy]

Try Koocanusa...

[Minnie]

My oldest (22) and a bunch of his buddies booked something not too long ago. Not sure where they're headed or what company they went with. I'll ring him up and see if he has anything worth passing on to you.

[Lego Man]

Thanks for the help.

I called the major places in Shuswap, and i'll try some in Koocanusa tomorrow morning.

Looking online there are lots of complaints for Sunshine Houseboats out of Koocanusa, did anyone rent a boat from them?

Regretting not having this taken care of earlier. Shuswap looks so fun.

[Minnie]

The kid called me back - they booked with Bluewater Houseboat Vacations.

[Lego Man]

Originally Posted by Minnie

The kid called me back - they booked with Bluewater Houseboat Vacations.

Thanks! I already called them and they are completely booked for the long weekend.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Nufy

Try Koocanusa...

I've rented sea-doos from these people:

http://www.sunshinehouseboats.com/

[Dion]

Originally Posted by 4X4

You better get cracking. It's pretty unlikely that you'll get a boat for August long at this point. You kinda needed to book it back in Feb or March.

My buddies and I house boated for years (August long weekend) and would rebook as soon as our vacation was over. I heard alot of regulars do the same thing.

[Jacks]

Been houseboating on the Shuswap a few times, great place to go.

Few things to keep in mind.

- Whatever they advertise the sleeping capacity at will be BS. If a boat advertises a sleeping capacity of 12 that mean 2 people sleeping on the couch/hide-a-bad, 2 people sleeping at the fold down bed in the dining room. 2 actual rooms at 2 people each and then 2 cubby holes under the bedrooms. A 12 person boat probably holds 8 comfortably unless you are parking at party beach and passing out wherever you fall down.

- Get yourself parked for the night at least an hour before sundown. It's like a game of musical chairs at sundown when all the boats suddenly abandon the lake and suck up every available inch of beach space.

- Pay attention to the weather report. Way too much stress being caught on the water when the wind picks up, makes it really hard to beach the boat and get tied off properly. If the weather is going to be bad then just stay parked, light a campfire and drink beer.

- If you don't know how to tie a proper knot then pay attention at the orientation.

- Make sure you rent from a company that has a 24 hour service guy on call. Houseboats are prone to generator failures, hot tub leaks, engine problems and everything else that can go wrong.

- Try to buy all your supplies on land before getting in the boat. There is a store on the water but it is crazy expensive.

Had mostly good experiences with Waterways, nice boats but they are expensive.

[pylon]

Houseboats are revolting. If you took one of those semen UV lamps to one of those things I don't think there would be one surface on the entire thing that hasn't been coated in man mayo.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by pylon

Houseboats are revolting. If you took one of those semen UV lamps to one of those things I don't think there would be one surface on the entire thing that hasn't been coated in man mayo.

There's enough alcohol on the average houseboat to kill any germs.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by pylon

Houseboats are revolting. If you took one of those semen UV lamps to one of those things I don't think there would be one surface on the entire thing that hasn't been coated in man mayo.

So are hotels/motels

[Tron_fdc]

I'm not sure what was dirtier on my trip (it was a stag). The filthy, drunk, loud dudes that were one step away from death by drowning or drugs, making an absolute mess of the boat (that started to sink on the way home) or the filthy drunk girls following us around.

I look back on that trip and still can't believe we survived.

I'd do it again if I thought I could handle the physical toll it takes.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by fotze

I must have been on the wrong boat (or right boat I guess). It was more the piss, crap and puke fluids that did it. 20 drunk lake-wet guys in a swaying boat, trying to piss in that 'toilet'. I got some foot fungus that wouldn't go away for a year and a half from that soup on the bathroom floor.

Gagging thinking about that.

Going forward I will always associate you with:

Houseboating, 20 drunk dudes and gagging.