Houseboating Checklist

Whether you’re taking part in the planning of your houseboat trip or are lucky enough to be one of the guests, here are some great tips on what to bring with you on the boat and what to leave at home so you can pack for success. Your packing list will vary depending on which lake you visit as well as which season you visit, but below are some general guidelines that will allow you to get the most out of your trip on the lake. 

Pack it in. Pack it out.
To start, it's important to remember that whatever you pack for your trip, you'll have to repack; avoid bringing too much and only pack the essentials. Forever Resorts offers porters and/or wheeled carts to load and unload your belongings, but packing light will have it's merits come the last day when it's time to head home.

Paper or Plastic?
When packing food and beverages, it's a good idea to consider minimal packaging whenever possible. The less waste you generate on board, the less you'll need to deal with after your trip. Every marina offers convenient recycling stations, so be sure to take advantage of them. It's also a good idea to avoid glass containers, particularly in items that will be discarded. Try to select compact and non-breakable packaging for your houseboat trip.

Frozen Goods
A trick that veteran houseboaters use to extend the life of their frozen food and ice supply is using ice-chests with the combination of regular and dry-ice. If you’re planning on packing frozen items that are to be used a few days into your trip, you can keep them at temperature longer by utilizing both dry ice and regular ice in a tightly sealed ice-chest. This trick will allow your frozen goods to be ready to thaw later in your vacation. An added advantage of this is the room it will save in the on-board refrigerator for other more commonly used items. 

Houseboat Gear: Top 10 Items

• Sunscreen/Tanning Oil
• Beach Towels
• Digital Camera or Camcorder
• Cooking Spices
• Ice
• Hiking Boots or Shoes
• Ski Vests
• Water
• Music Player
• First Aid Kit 

Send us your favorite tips!
Have a favorite houseboating tip you'd like to share? Send it to us at Forever Resorts and we'll share it with others.