Houseboat can be a lot of fun but it has many drawbacks.
1. Goes very slow and gets low fuel mileage. So don't plan on going far
from where the boat is docked.
2. Fairly high maintenance since it sets out all the time in the water.
Plus maintenance cost is high since the mechanic has to come to the boat.
3. Has to stay in the water so your looking at dock fees that can be fairly
high depending on the area.
4. To get one in good shape that does not require much work will be fairly
costly.

However, they can be great fun and if your retired - you can spend the night
on the boat and can ancor whereever you are (assuming you have a generator
or good batteries). And you have lots of room.

If he is looking to cruise the water and see the sights (not fish) and wants
to be able to spend the night on the boat every once in a while, I would
consider something in a 24' cabin cruiser. This is trailerable. Will cost
less to maintain since you don't have to leave it in the water. Will cost
less to store since your not having to pay dock fees. Will cost less to run
(especially since you can fill up on the road instead of at the marina).
Plus you can haul to different areas of the country if you want to.
Of course you will need a truck capable of hauling the boat. Or you can
dry dock it and still enjoy a lot of the benefits.

Only draw back is you don't have as much room on the boat for a big TV,
satillite dish, etc...

Just a thought.


--
Tony
my boats and cars at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

-
"misty3k" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi, I'm hoping to get some good info here! : )

My dad is planning on buying a boat, and has asked me to go boat
shopping with him. He's retired and wanted to do recreational boating
and fishing up in Laughlin. We rented a houseboat one summer and had a
great time, and I think he's leaning in that direction. What do you
all think? Is a houseboat a good purchase, or should he purchase
something else?


Thanks for any help you can give!

~misty3k
fav links:
http://www.homestarrunner.com/main16.html (hlarious!)
http://thefunlife.boatlotto.com/ (I WILL win that boat for my dad!
g)