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AR15.COM
10/9/2015 4:53:02 PM EDT
Not sure where I should post this thread so mods please move if necessary.

A large group of us were planning on renting a very large houseboat next year, and I was wondering if anyone has done this before?

We wanted to rent this beast that is on Lake Ouachita Shirley Ann but I had a few questions.

Is it easy to captain yourself or should you use the captain service the company can provide?
We would be out on a Mon-Mon trip so what is a good fuel cost estimate? I was guessing around 1k to fill the tank/tanks
Are they as roomy as they appear? We would have 12 adults on board.
Lastly, are they as fun as they look?

Thanks you!

10/9/2015 5:24:38 PM EDT
[#1]
80' Houseboat?  That is a barge indeed.   We went out on a 46' on lake powell this year, great time.  

No captain needed, just good sense.   Tie it up tight even in calm weather, the weather will change.
Get all the insurance they offer.  You are going to want a small boat too, 19-24' runabout.

The fuel is gonna be depending on how far you run of course, and you will be running the genset a lot with that many people.

They are roomy, but 12 on board will be pretty full.
They are slow as molasses in january.
10/9/2015 5:27:12 PM EDT
[#2]
It's fun so long as it's used as a landing pad for boats and waverunners.

ETA: $4800/wk off-peak, $8000/wk peak + fuel and insurance.  Hope you've got a lot of friends.

I'd probably go with something a lot more basic and spend the difference on toys.
10/9/2015 5:28:00 PM EDT
[#3]
that thing is bigger than our house.


10/9/2015 5:29:37 PM EDT
[#4]
Lake Ouchita, huh?  Be careful and follow the channel.  There ARE sand bars out in the middle of the lake.  Not many, but they're there.  I was 300 yards from shore pushing my old man's 18 fter off one.  The water was below my waist.  FYI.

The striper fishing is excellent and the islands are super fun.  I didn't click on the link, I know which ones you're talking about.
10/9/2015 5:29:56 PM EDT
[#5]
10/9/2015 5:31:14 PM EDT
[#6]
Little bit of a learning curve if you have no experience with boats...