On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 09:17:37 -0400, "sel1" wrote:
I have read many newsgroups and web sites and there are many people who
travel by houseboat. What do you mean you you say "If you don't want to go
ANYWHERE". There seems to be a rather high demand for rental houseboats on
the Rideau canal system, the great lakes etc etc. From my visits to marinas,
there are far more houseboats than cruisers to rent.

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The biggest issue with houseboats is seaworthiness which is probably
what inspired the original response. They are big roomy boats but
have low freeboard, a huge amount of windage, and are top heavy. All
of that means they are suitable only in well protected water such as
rivers, canals, small lakes, bays, etc. They are totally unsuited to
open water conditions such as the great lakes. I have seen houseboats
on the Rideau take water over the bow and into the cabin from
relatively small boat wakes. They also have trouble maneuvering in
the locks because the high windage and shallow draft makes them prone
to being blown sideways in close quarters.