The Most Common Questions We Get Asked About Our Boat
Owning a boat is an adventure in itself, and with it comes plenty of curiosity from family, friends, and even strangers. Whether it's about maintenance, the best places to explore, or what it's really like to live the boating lifestyle, the questions never seem to end!
No matter where we go, there are a handful of questions we get asked over and over again. So, I thought it would be fun to answer some of the most common questions and give you a little inside look at what it's like to own and enjoy a houseboat.
Enjoying a beautiful day at our happy place!
Do You Live on Your Boat?
Our boat is certainly large enough to live on comfortably, but we don't live on it full-time. We are weekenders, just like many of the people you see at the lake.
For us, the boat is our getaway—a place to relax, recharge, and spend quality time with family and friends.
What Made You Buy a Boat?
My husband and sons love to fish, and that is the main reason we bought a boat.
They wanted me to join them while they were fishing, but fishing has never really been my thing. Their thinking was that if they invested in a boat, I would have something enjoyable to do while they fished.
Well...it worked!
I am officially hooked—just like a fish! 😂
Do You Rent It Out?
No.
Our boat is our place of peace, solitude, and relaxation. I can't imagine having strangers using it while we're away. For us, the memories and comfort it provides are worth far more than any rental income.
Does the Boat Rock a Lot?
Yes, it does.
We're docked at the end of the slip, which means we catch nearly every wave from boats passing by. The rocking is especially noticeable during holidays and busy weekends when boat traffic is heavy and some boaters don't slow down as they enter the marina.
How Often Are You at the Lake?
Most weekends.
The lake is our happy place, and we try to spend as much time there as possible. There's just something special about leaving the stress of everyday life behind and spending time on the water.
Where Does #1 and #2 Go?
This is probably one of the questions people are most curious about!
Just like an RV, our houseboat has a holding tank that stores waste. We have two options when it's time to empty the tank:
Use the pump-out station located at the marina's fuel dock.
Hire a service company to come directly to the boat and pump the tank for us.
And just to be clear—it is illegal to dump any waste into the lake.
How Often Do You Take the Houseboat Out?
Not very often.
We typically take the houseboat out only two or three times during the boating season. It really serves more as our floating condo than as a boat we cruise around in regularly.
If we want to spend time on the water, we usually take out our pontoon boat. Most weekends you'll find us cruising around the lake on the pontoon.
Many houseboat owners also have a smaller boat for exploring the lake.
Where Do You Keep Your Pontoon Boat?
We keep our pontoon boat in dry storage.
We used to keep it at the marina, but as slip fees continued to rise, we decided it made more sense financially to store it elsewhere and bring it to the lake when needed.
Are There a Lot of Expenses Associated with Boat Ownership?
There can be.
Depending on your situation, expenses may include:
Boat payment
Marina slip fees
Electricity
Insurance
Registration fees
Property taxes (required in Georgia for boats kept at marinas)
Maintenance and repairs
Just like owning a home, there are ongoing costs that come with boat ownership. The older the boat, the more important it becomes to budget for repairs and upkeep.
What Do You Like Most About Having a Houseboat?
Honestly, there isn't much I don't like about it.
I love that it allows us to host family and friends. We have plenty of room for our boys to stay whenever they want. It's a place where we can create memories, enjoy time together, and slow down from the busyness of life.
Most of all, it's my retreat.
It's my happy place.
It's my place to relax, recharge, and enjoy the simple things in life.
And if you've followed my blog for any length of time, you already know how much I love Lake Life.
