AHOYYYY!!! You beautiful, salty, seafaring, son-of-a-guns!!!

So you want to rent a houseboat. Whether you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of land-based life for a week or two, or you’re planning a party on the water, there’s no denying that renting a houseboat can be a great way to have some fun. But before you start planning your trip, you might be wondering: how much does it cost to rent a houseboat?

If you’re thinking about renting a houseboat but worried about the cost, Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we’ll break down all of the different factors that affect the cost of renting a houseboat so that you can make an informed decision. After all, it’s not exactly a cheap vacation. Here’s what you need to know about houseboat rental prices.

The nuts and bolts of the matter…

The short answer is: it depends. Rental prices for houseboats can vary widely depending on the size of the boat, the amenities it offers, the length of the rental, and the time of year you’re renting. That being said, there are some general trends that can give you an idea of how much it might cost to rent a houseboat. One odd little factor that can influence the rental fee is whether or not the houseboat has a full kitchen or not. If you’re looking to cover many miles of shoreline with the bad girl, or just want to have some brewskies and cook while your homies do some water skiing, one of the best ways to have a rippin’ good time is with that full kitchen.

For example, larger houseboats with more amenities (like hot tubs and full kitchens) will generally be more expensive to rent than smaller boats. And if you’re looking to rent during peak season (like summer), you can expect to pay more than if you’re renting during shoulder season (like spring or fall). Finally, longer rentals will usually cost more than shorter rentals, so yeah rental term matters.

WAKE UP!!!!

Okay, that is all painfully freaking obvious. Do you wanna know what I would do? I’d plan my departure date around the off-season to save some bucks! I’d find a nice pontoon boat with a water slide off the stern and setup a gas grill on the top deck or the upper deck (if it has one).

Of course, all of these factors will also vary depending on where in the country you’re renting your houseboat. In general, rental prices will be highest in popular boating destinations like Lake Powell or Lake Cumberland. However, there are many other great lakes across the United States where you can find affordable houseboat rentals.

My advice, send that bad girl out one of the many sick lakes we have in the beautiful, wonderful North America. Here are my top 10 choices folks:

1. Lake Mohave
2. Lake Havasu
3. Voyageurs National Park
4. Everglades National Park
5. Lake Shasta
6. Lake Mead National Recreation Area
7. Birch Lake
8. Crane Lake
9. Dale Hollow Lake
10. Erie Canal

I’m going to be redundant and pound home some of these hard learned and earned lessons from my years of haphazardly stumbling through the boating world.

There are a lot of factors that affect the cost of renting a houseboat aka the rental price. The type of houseboat you rent, the length of your rental, the number of people in your party, and the location of the houseboat rental all play a role in determining the final price. One you might not think of as readily is the cancellation policy. I HIGHLY recommend looking for deals that allow you to cancel. Mother nature is a fickle beast. You can also see if you get travel insurance as a cardholder benefit on your credit card and what the terms of that are. Another trade secret right there, you’re welcome! If you don’t want to spend a lot of money then you’re going to have to make due with a small living area, look at an under 40 foot houseboat or a pontoon rental.

To give you an idea of how much it costs to rent a houseboat, we’ve compiled a list of average costs from around the US:

-Lake Powell: $2,500/week

-Lake Cumberland: $1,700/week

-Shasta Lake: $2,200/week

-Smith Mountain Lake: $1,800/week

-Havasu Lake: $2,300/week

As you can see, there is quite a range in prices. The best way to get an accurate estimate for your houseboat rental is to contact a few different rental companies and ask for quotes. Be sure to let them know how many people will be in your party and what dates you’re interested in so that they can give you an accurate estimate.

Rental Rates – Keep these down while turning the PARTY UP!

The average cost to rent a houseboat is between $1,000 and $3,000 per week. However, prices can vary depending on the size of the houseboat, the amenities included, the rental company, and the location. For example, renting a houseboat on Lake Powell in Utah is going to be more expensive than renting one on Rainy Lake in Minnesota.

Additional Cost – Cleaning up your act!

In addition to the weekly rental rate, there may also be additional fees for things like hot tubs, jet skis, water skis, and personal watercraft. Some companies may also charge a damage deposit or an additional fee for cleaning upon departure. Be sure to ask about all potential fees before you book so there are no surprises. Let’s be real, you’re trying to have a good time and that does not include cleaning up after yourself, am I right?

Best Time to Rent

The best time to rent a houseboat is typically during the off-season, which is generally October through April. Prices are lower during this time and there are usually fewer crowds on the lake. However, keep in mind that some lakes (like Shasta Lake in Northern California) may not even be accessible during the winter months due to snowfall. Who in their right mind is trying to vacation on a houseboat if the water temperature is cold, let alone freaking snow in the equation? NOT ME! Find a nice warm popular vacation destinations and clear waters. You can still get a good price. Don’t be foolish and make yourself cold on vacation.

So how much does it cost to rent a houseboat? The answer is: it depends. Rental prices will vary depending on the size and amenities of the boat, the length of the rental period, and the time of year you’re renting. That being said, there are plenty of great deals out there if you’re willing to do your research. Renting a houseboat is a great way to spend time with friends or family on the water. There are many different factors that affect the cost of renting a houseboat, but on average you can expect to pay around $2,000 per week. To get the best deal on your rental, be sure to compare quotes from multiple companies. Have fun and stay safe on your houseboat adventure!

AND DON’T FORGET!!!!!! S-arrrr-bscribe!

If you enjoyed this blog and support our mission of bringing folks a rippin’ good time and dishing out some knowledge while we’re at it… Give us some booty! Who doesn’t need booty after all?

Stay Salty! 🏴‍☠️