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Houseboat Rentals - Minnesota
Resort Vacations |
Questions & Answers
Here are answers to some of the more
frequently asked questions for parties interested in
houseboat vacations. If you still have questions or
would like more information, please
contact us, we are happy to assist you with your
plans. |
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| Do we have to start our
houseboat vacation on a certain day? |
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No, you may start your
houseboat vacation any day as long as the
boat is available. A week is seven nights and there is a three-night minimum. |
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| How much fuel will we use during our
houseboat trip? |
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5 to 25 gallons per day average. Usage will vary widely based on the size of the
houseboat and hours spent cruising. Typically a houseboat will not need refueling in a week's time. For those
needing gas, the hospitality service may be called in to refuel the houseboat and/or the small boats. Fuel is
also available at a few various points throughout the Park.
Remember fuel is not included in the cost
of your houseboat rental. |
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| What are the standard features on all
houseboats? |
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All houseboats are
equipped with hot/cold running water, full
bathrooms with showers, radio/CD player, gas
BBQ grill, refrigerator/stove, furnace, all
cooking/eating utensils, blankets/pillows,
maps, screened windows, a cooler, deck
chairs, life jackets, anchor/tie up ropes,
and a 12-volt outlet. |
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| What is the hospitality service? |
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We offer
"room service with a wake" only at
Voyagaire. To have the daily delivery boat stop at your houseboat, call the
lodge on your marine radio the evening before or by 10 a.m. Give us a list of the items to be delivered, such as gas, bait, ice, pop, or food. The
delivery boat will then stop by your houseboat that afternoon or early evening.
You can go about your day and our friendly
drivers will catch up to you. There is a small one-time fee for this service. |
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| Are pets allowed? |
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Yes. We accept pets in
the lodge and on all houseboats except the
Voyagaire 550 for a non-refundable charge of
$10 per night in the lodge or $50 per trip
on the houseboats. Pet owners are
responsible for cleaning up after their dog
and must keep their dog on a leash while at
base. Please notify us if you will
bringing your pet along with you on
vacation. |
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| When is the water warm enough to swim? |
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Normally from mid-June to Labor Day. |
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| Do we need any special navigational skills or
licenses to operate a Voyagaire Houseboat? |
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No. We
provide a complete set of fully marked charts and an informational booklet
aboard
each houseboat. There is a chain of color-coded and numbered buoys running from one end of Voyageurs National Park to the other. Each of these is reflected on your map in it's corresponding location.
Even first-time houseboaters find this system very easy to follow. |
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| Do we need a Canadian fishing license? |
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To fish in Ontario you must have an Ontario fishing license. Most of the lakes you will be cruising and
all of the Voyageurs National Park waters are within the Minnesota boundary.
Some avid fishermen purchase both a Minnesota and
an Ontario license. |
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| Do we need a fishing boat? |
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A fishing boat and motor are required with each
houseboat charter, by Coast Guard rules. You may either bring your own or rent one. Multiple boats, larger boats, runabouts, bass boats and pontoon boats are easily towed behind the houseboat with
the tow bar supplied. |
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| Are there generators? |
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The Deluxe and Hot Tub Sportcruisers and all Sunseekers,
Suncruisers and the Voyagaire are equipped with a primary marine generator. These are installed below the deck with sound shields and rubber isolation mounts. The noise produced within the houseboat is comparable to a refrigerator. The generator
charges the house batteries and operates your
air conditioning, TV/DVD, most appliances and any
other items you may bring from home that
must be plugged in. Small generators may be rented at base for houseboats without generators to be used to power accessories that are not standard
houseboat equipment. |
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| How many people can we have on a
houseboat? |
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12 - That is a Coast
Guard regulation. |
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| How are emergencies handled? |
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Medical Emergencies:
For emergencies on your houseboat, call us on your radio.
All houseboats are equipped with a marine
band radio. We will respond either on our service boat, or
through 911 out of Crane Lake, Ash River or
Kabetogama (whichever is closest to your
location). The Voyageurs National Park Rangers also help in medical
emergencies and monitor an emergency-only
channel on the radio.
Mechanical Emergencies: Should your houseboat need service while on the water, a service boat will be sent to correct the problem immediately. Our maintenance personnel are highly trained professionals, and we'll have you on your way with a minimum of
inconvenience. |
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