Houseboating Adventures - Issue 17 - (Page 67) receiving so their expectation levels for luxurious houseboats are more, too. HBA: What is the most average cost of luxury rental for one week? DC: The average cost of renting one of our houseboats obviously depends on the time of year, the size of the boat and the location of your vacation, but a 7 day trip during high season can range in price from $2,995 to $12,995. HBA: What is the most popular accessory rented? DC: Ski boats and Personal Water Craft are the most popular rentals – along with all the fun things one can use along with the ski boats – wakeboards; skis, etc. There has also been a recent demand for kayaks to take along with a houseboat trip, too. HBA: Was gasoline cost a factor to your guests? DC: Fuel has always been a consideration when renting or owning a boat. The houseboating experience is the chance to get away from it all and to our guests it’s priceless. In an effort to address fuel consumption we have equipped our houseboats the most with fuel efficient engines and generators available. The Evinrude ETec engines and Westerbeke SafeCO generators are what we have chosen as the best way to reduce fuel consumption and Carbon Monoxide in the air. Our houseboat guests choose a particular beach or cove on the lake and bring along a ski boat or patio boat to use for exploring or having water fun. HBA: How important is satellite TV for your renters? DC: Satellite TV is gaining in popularity for renters. We have seen an increased demand in the ability to watch a specific sporting event on satellite TV’s while aboard our houseboat rental – like the Super Bowl or being able to watch the Bowl Games during rentals over Thanksgiving. Plus, it gives an option for an activity during the evenings, too. HBA: What is the most unusual new item or thing you have heard requested by renters? )6B@" A05("%C&5AB9&@ DC: Recently we had a guest who wanted to have daily maid service to be provided while they had the houseboat out on the lake. This was an unusual request, but we were gladly able to accommodate him. We have also provided a personal chef to travel out to the houseboat and prepare special meals for the group. HBA: Have houseboat renters inquired about internet / broadband connection aboard your houseboats? Is this trend increasing or decreasing in your opinion? DC: Occasionally we get the request for internet access aboard the houseboats, but for most of our guests they look forward to a chance to disconnect from not only the Internet but from cell phone coverage, too. HBA: Do you think having an onboard, built-in computer with hi-speed internet access would be an accessory that renters would be willing to pay a premium for? DC: People tend to think of the houseboat as an extension of their home or a moveable resort and want to believe hi-speed internet access is available to everyone everywhere they go. Fortunately for the sake of relaxation, mainstream portable technology including many cell phone coverage areas have not made its way to many of the remote destinations in national parks and recreation areas. I am sure somewhere in the future there might be that sort of access, but for now we can know there is the option of becoming "unplugged" while renting a houseboat. HBA: Forever Resorts builds its own houseboats for its rental fleet under the name of Fun Country Marine. How many current models does it produce? DC: There are currently five Forever Houseboat models produced by Fun Country Marine Industries to supply the luxury rental fleet:: The 14’x50’ smallest model; The 14’x56’ entry level model; The 16’x59’ upgrade; The 16’x70’ ultimate in luxury; and The 18’x75’ model which is our biggest houseboat with every option. HBA: How do Fun Country Marine houseboats typically differ from other rental houseboats? DC: The Forever Houseboats are built to ABYC Standards and are certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Not all houseboats are built to those specifications. Forever Houseboats are also built in five different sizes all containing such "green" features as energy-efficient lighting, zero water discharge, powered by the most fuel-efficient engines available in the marine industry, carbon monoxide reduction through the use of fuel efficient engines, dry stacks and Safe-CO™ generators, solar enhanced systems, low-flow water fixtures. In the newest models of Forever Houseboats the organization has
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.