Waking up in the morning to the waves gently rolling and the smell of water in the air is what many people consider an ideal living situation. Renting a boat house will afford you these scenes, scents and much more for at least a few months in the summer. Before pulling up the anchor and living on the water, there are a few things that you should know so that you stay safe and comfortable on the boat.
There Will Be Waves
You can keep the boat docked so that you’re not living on a floating house on the water or set sail every day if you want, but there will be waves at some point. If you see that there is a storm approaching, then you might want to stay inside as much as possible and secure the boat as the waves will be rougher. The waves that roll along the water will often dictate the direction of where the boat will float, giving you new views each day if you don’t want to stay docked.
Safety First
Explore the boat house before renting to see that there are proper safety features. There should be life vests for each person on board and flotation devices that can be put in the water to help passengers get back onto the boat. If there is an incident while you’re on the boat, you might want to talk to a personal injury attorney, such as Blomberg Benson & Garrett, as the person who owns the vessel should provide the items that are required.
Water Valves
It seems like it should be easy to have water when you want to take a shower or flush the toilet. With most boats, you have to turn on a valve before you take a shower or use any of the other plumbing. If you don’t shut the valve off, then you might end up with more water on the boat than on the outside. Another thing to keep in mind is that there isn’t any hot water unless you want to install a small hot water heater.
Boating Communities
Before you secure the boat rental, try to find a houseboat community to dock at as this will give you someone to talk to and provide a way for you to get answers about concerns. Most of the people in this kind of community are willing to help as much as possible and are friendly. Since these communities are usually small, you can get to know everyone, giving you a way to have someone who can watch your boat if you leave for a short time.
A boat house is a fun way to spend a few months out of the year outdoors. The water situation might not be ideal at all times, and you will rock back and forth when you want to just sit still, but overall, it’s a fun experience. Check the safety features before putting anything on board to see that they are in order so that you can enjoy your rental.