| Renting a houseboat maybe one of the most | | | | company will help you rental agencies can also |
| relaxing and enjoyable vacations you have ever | | | | provide trained captains to pilot houseboats. Some |
| had. Houseboats can range from 44 to 75 feet, | | | | large houseboats require hiring a captain as a |
| are available for rent on many lakes and inland | | | | rental precondition depending on the location. If |
| waterways from Lake Mead to the Cumberland. | | | | you are not into water sports you can always |
| Most models have berths for six to eight or more | | | | opt for a Recreational vehicles (RVs), especially |
| people and can be equipped with water slides | | | | motor homes, have seen a increase in sales in |
| additional equipment, such as scuba gear, canoes, | | | | recent years, with almost 8 million on the |
| and fishing tackle, is also available. You can even | | | | registered. Some RV's are like rolling luxury hotels |
| bring your speed boat or jet skies along. The | | | | and have the price tag to match too. |
| larger houseboats may have all the luxuries of a | | | | Renting an Motor Homes is the most common |
| fine hotel (minus the staff) hot tubs, central | | | | and affordable option for the newbie, with rates |
| heating and air-conditioning, HD TV and th list goes | | | | starting around $70 and up from there. The |
| on. | | | | majority of motor homes will average about 8 |
| Most of all, houseboats offer a great family get | | | | miles to the gallon, so your greatest expense will |
| away with adventure or lounging in deck chairs | | | | be fuel. On the other hand, you can save on |
| under and endless sky or sleeping in spacious | | | | lodging: Staying in an RV campground can be |
| berths listening to the genital lap of the waves far | | | | around twenty dollars a night to over $100 at high |
| from the lights and noise of the city. The family | | | | end parks like at Disney Land. |
| becomes a crew, with everyone pitching in | | | | The best reward though, is the freedom of the |
| working and playing together. | | | | open road. RV enthusiasts are an extremely |
| Rental rates vary by location, amenities, and | | | | sociable bunch, and RV parks and campgrounds |
| season. For instance, on Nevada's spectacular | | | | often have the spirit of a family reunion. |
| Lake Mead, a seven-day rental of a basic 8O foot | | | | Whether you choose the open road or the high |
| houseboat that bunks 8 to 10 people costs about | | | | seas a great family vacation is just around the |
| $1,995 in the off-season (October through April); | | | | corner be sure to plan ahead as house boats and |
| the same model goes for $2,995 per week in | | | | RV's are snapped up during the height of the |
| summer. | | | | summer vacation. |
| If you are not a confident sailor, the rental | | | | |