Houseboats: A Complete Guide

Houseboat named 'Happy Days' floating on a river with greenery and a bridge in the background.

HOUSEBOATS ON THE RIVER.

FOLLOW THE CHANNEL MARKERS

Going UP THE RIVER

RED square is on your LEFT

GREEN triangle is on your RIGHT

Going DOWN THE RIVER... opposite.

SLOW BOATS AND FAST BOATS

OTHER POWER BOATS have the right to use the river. When operating houseboats, it's essential to be aware that if a houseboat enters a water ski zone, it will travel towards the center of the river, allowing ski boats to pass between the houseboat and the riverbank at speed. THE SAME GIVE WAY RULES ALWAYS APPLY TO ALL BOATS. A ski boat coming from aft must not turn left in front of the slow boat to force right of way; they should either go well forward before turning or fall back and turn behind.

COLLISION... "Always GO right" - (with power in any emergency. You have no brakes).

All boats drive on the right side of the channel. Other boats driving towards you should pass you on your left side.

NO SKIING AT NIGHT. Driving with nav lights on is OK. Towing skiers is not permitted at night, but towing a boat in distress is acceptable if both boats have nav lights on. Always check ALL your nav lights before every evening cruise. Remember houseboat safety by switching off your front floods when approaching another boat. Most river channel markers have reflectors that display in the flood lights at night.

Trash and litter scattered on a sandy ground in a wooded area.

CLEAN YOUR RIVERBANK BEFORE YOU LEAVE

CAMP FIRES are an essential part of the houseboat experience tradition. When operating houseboats, remember to take a fire pot with you.

You should expect the riverbank to be clean, showing no evidence of the traditional camp fire, or perhaps just a clean patch of burnt ground surrounded by stones—much better than litter.

IF YOUR SITE IS NOT CLEAN WHEN YOU ARRIVE, ensure you tidy up before you leave and take your rubbish with you to the garbage bins located at the pump out sites, adhering to river boating guidelines.

BE A GOOD RIVER CITIZEN ...

WILDERNESS RULE: Take out what you take in, and leave no trace of your visit. ...

ENJOY THE WILD PLACES WHILE YOU CAN.

REMEMBER: Carry your bag of firewood with you on the boat. DO NOT TAKE WOOD FROM THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. Dead wood is home for small animals and insects. DO NOT UPSET THE FAERIES. They can get nasty.