While it may seem far away now, warmer temperatures will soon roll around again in Oklahoma. Then, excited Okies will head to the state’s bodies of water and pristine parks, seeking lodging along with boat and watersport opportunities.
Business owners and tourism officials agree: get your reservations in early for these stays and activities, especially if you’re planning to book during spring break, a national holiday or at the height of the summer season.
“We book one year in advance, allowing current renters first chance to rebook their boats for next summer,” says Josh Long, owner of Five Star Houseboat Vacations based in Kimberling City, Mo. “For people that are looking at June, July and August, we recommend booking with us as soon as possible to have the best availability for the different boat types.”
Long himself advocates for houseboat rentals – so that lodging and entertainment are combined into one.
“The biggest upside to a houseboat vacation is being on the water for your trip,” he says. “When you stay in a resort or rental house, then a part of your day is spent getting on and off the water, or possibly having to drive to a dock or marina to get on a boat.”
With a houseboat, you wake up on the water and enjoy mornings, days and evenings there.
“Many of our customers bring their fishing boats, ski boats and wake boats with them,” says Long, “which they can tie up to the side of ours and spend all day enjoying the lake.”
For those thinking of becoming a houseboat owner, Long says that other than the initial sticker shock of the boat itself, the biggest expense is renting a slip.
“Our boats are between 60 and 78 feet long, and at least 16 feet wide, so they require a large slip that can cost at least $10,000 a year to lease,” says Long. “Insurance can also be a challenge, particularly for new owners, as not all insurance companies will insure houseboats, and some require a minimum of five years of prior ownership or training to be insured.”
Like any mode of transportation, maintenance can be tricky.
“You must winterize drive engines, generators and water systems, as well as maintain household fixtures and appliances,” he says. “You can justify multiple houseboat rental trips a year before you approach the cost of ownership, so someone should really think about how often they will use their boat if they are purchasing one.”
For those who prefer to sleep on land, there are an array of price-varying cottages, cabins and small inns available around the state’s lakes. Many are run by property management companies or owners with multiple properties, like Lakewood Luxury Cabins. Located in Hochatown near Broken Bow, the cabins are owned and operated by Brenda Walters.
“We have people who often book a year ahead or during their stay for the next year, especially for major holidays,” she says. “It’s good to book ahead where possible, even though there are more than 3,000 cabins around here, because in summers, we get booked up.”
Walters says that while the cabins are a great oasis after a long day on the water, the city offers plenty to see and do, too.
“Hochatown is a growing tourism area, third behind OKC and Tulsa for tourism dollars for what we generate for the state,” she says. “The area is growing as more people are learning about the community and the amazing things to see and do. The town itself has so many attractions for folks: a lake, a state park, hiking trails, fly fishing in the park – but the town itself has wineries, breweries, a distillery, restaurants and a petting zoo.”
Main image cutline: Houseboats offer lodging and entertainment all in one. Photo courtesy Five Star Houseboat Vacations
