Houseboat trip was great

[toofaraway]

Did a 3 nite houseboat trip recently and it was great.  Boats were more than adequate.  I'll give a description since there's not a lot of info on the web about them.  They're 35 feet long and have a 2 person bed in the back, a dining settee that converts to a comfortable bed for 2.  There's a couch that folds out to a bed but it's horrible.  Bring a sheet of plywood 2 x 6 to put an thermarest on top of if you're planning on sleeping on the couch.  There's a refrigerator but to use it requires running the generator.  Instead, buy some of the real block ice at Jacks Bait and tackle in FL city on your way down and use coolers.  The toilet and running water all worked.  We didn't shower and still ran out of water in 3 days.  The tank holds 35 gals, not much.  We could have added water when we were way up one of the rivers.  You'd need a bucket and funnel/hose attachment to add water to the tank.  The engine is a 60 hp Yamaha and it pushed the boat at about 5 mph, which was fine.  We towed a small skiff at times and it didn't slow us down much.  We burned about 25 gallons in 3 days.  Flamingo - S. Oyster Bay - Watson River - Flamingo.  The screen doors were touchy, just like those at home!  No screens on the side windows, it wouldn't be a bad idea to bring some screen material of your own with which to fashion them for the side windows.  All the equipment worked except the A/C which died on our way out of the marina but we didn't plan to use it anyway since the weather was nice and it would have required the generator.  The roof was a real bonus.  Plenty of room for canoes/kayaks and also room for 2 small tents or one larger one.  Great place to cruise in comfort!

In a nutshell, if you've thought of renting one of these, I'd do it sooner rather than later.  They're still new enough that they work but it's a harsh environment down there and they probably won't last too long.

TFA

[Jay]

What did it cost to rent?

[toofaraway]

$350/nite plus fuel.

[Amazon Bill]

The marina web site is: Flamingo Marina  or http://www.evergladesnationalparkboattoursflamingo.com/

On Thanksgiving weekend they told me $350 a day. They have a full list of prices on the website.  If you want to canoe at 9 Mile Pond, you pay at the marina and they give you a pad lock key to a canoe at the pond site, paddles and PFDs. Then you go unlock the canoe at 9 Mile Pond and relock, return the gear when finished. They said they give you extra time beyond the rental period to travel up to the launch and back to the Marina.

[Jay]

Thanks...just curious.

[toofaraway]

Yeah, it's not cheap but considering that you can easily have 6 people it's not too bad either.  It's a great platform from which to launch paddle excursions.  I know alot of people here like to do the entire WW, but I'm more inclined to explore one or two areas more fully, plus I like to fish and have a friend who has no interest in paddling.  I've dreamed of this trip for over 30 years and finally did it!

BTW, they never put a limitation on how far we could take it.  I, jokingly asked if we could take it to Lostmans.  "Sure"...lol

[Jay]

Years ago I looked into it...then one of our storms wiped out the fleet...can't remember which one.  Thanks for the info.  I will check out the site.

[toofaraway]

Yeah, Wilma/Katrina.  Wiped out the "Snapper" and "Grouper" and others.  There were some big old aluminum pontoon beasts that would have been radical to rent. 

[Jay]

Were there houseboats before Andrew? If so, did Andrew wipe them out?

[toofaraway]

Oh yeah, there have been houseboats down there for a long time.  I don't think Andrew damaged them but can't say for sure.  Either way, the ones they have now are fine but I wouldn't wait too long....