Rockhopper Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 I asked my kid who'll be all grown up soon and presumably out of the house in a couple of years to tell me what his dream/bucket list family vacation would be before he flies the coop. He said, "Something on a boat." He likes the idea of sailing, but it doesn't necessarily have to be that. Just boat and water. Now, I don't know if it's actually going to be a real possibility to do anything -- it will depend a lot on dh's work schedule, when we move next, if dh has to move alone and we have to keep up 2 households for a year... And of course on how much we can save. And even in a best case scenario, we're still looking at something more akin to "budget travel" than "luxury accommodations." (I took a peek at some yacht charter companies and the drop-down menus for price range *started* at close to our max and went up to "I've bought HOUSES for less than that!!") With all that said, I'm looking for some creative ideas on various kinds of family boat vacations. Things that would appeal to a wide age range. Something that would allow for some learning/skill building/new experiences. Maybe some cultural/educational opportunities. Any ideas? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 Houseboats! There are often houseboats for rent near lakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 I'd head somewhere coastal like St Pete Fl and buy him several sailing lessons while we stayed at the beach. There are plenty of coastal places where one could do this. Pick a state or island that appeals to you. Grand Bahama (NOT NASSAU) could be less expensive than FL, though the boats we saw there were just small ones. You would need to do a bit of research. I'd probably start with "Sailing Lessons" and see what popped up. This, of course, assumes he doesn't know how to sail yet. If he does, then I'd probably go with "Sail Boat Rentals" and see what popped up. Sailing around the Bahamas, either set of Virgin Islands, or the Florida Keys would be rather appealing due to several islands around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CT Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 We once rented a slow boat and crawled up the Erie Canal, stopping at various little towns and state parks along the way. (So slow that many days my husband and son drove the boat while my daughter and I biked on the towpath... and we'd arrive at our destination hours before them.) Some nights we stayed in little towns with restaurants and ice cream places, and others we just tied up alongside parks and ate on the boat. Super fun. My husband loves all kinds of boats, and can captain just about anything, but these ones were definitely OK for amateurs -- flat water, easy-peasy steering, no navigation, places everywhere to just pull up, tie off and plug in to power and water. I probably even could have done it alone, which I would not say about any other boat trip we've ever done. Good gateway boat, lol. For more adventure and a lot more $$$, you can charter a boat with a captain and cook from companies like Moorings in places all over the world. (Or bareboat if you do know how to sail.) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd293 Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 We did a houseboat vacation. It was only 4 days and the kids still talk about it 4 years on and ask to do it again. We travelled along the river, ate either at restaurants on the banks or on the boat, swam, explored the shores. It was fantastic. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 My brother and his family rented a houseboat once on one of the Great Lakes. They had a wonderful time. Still talk about it today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrittanyM Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 My family vacationed twice at Lake Powell, once on a houseboat (paid for by our grandparents) and once we camped at the campground near the lake and rented a boat and visited Rainbow Bridge. I have a lot of fun memories from both of those vacations. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 Our best trip EVER was canal boating in England. Amazing. Perfect. We are planning a do over. We used Andersen Boats in Middlebury and they were amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockhopper Posted September 13, 2016 Author Share Posted September 13, 2016 Y'all are really making houseboats sound appealing! :-) The Canal boats especially strike a chord with me. I'd thought about a European trip but I'm not sure that's in the cards -- so I was really excited to see the Erie Canal option. But canal boating in England sounds so amazing! I could combine with my bucket list trip to Canterbury and some moors hiking... Oh wait! It's supposed to be ds's trip... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 We once rented a slow boat and crawled up the Erie Canal, stopping at various little towns and state parks along the way. (So slow that many days my husband and son drove the boat while my daughter and I biked on the towpath... and we'd arrive at our destination hours before them.) Some nights we stayed in little towns with restaurants and ice cream places, and others we just tied up alongside parks and ate on the boat. Super fun. My husband loves all kinds of boats, and can captain just about anything, but these ones were definitely OK for amateurs -- flat water, easy-peasy steering, no navigation, places everywhere to just pull up, tie off and plug in to power and water. I probably even could have done it alone, which I would not say about any other boat trip we've ever done. Good gateway boat, lol. For more adventure and a lot more $$$, you can charter a boat with a captain and cook from companies like Moorings in places all over the world. (Or bareboat if you do know how to sail.) Whenever we've seen boats on the Erie Canal I've wondered what the experience would be like! I'm not much of a boat person, but the history geek in me would find it fascinating. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 What about a sail on a schooner? I bet your son would like that and it would be educational. They feed you, you help sail the ship, the scenery is great, and you don,t have to know anything to do it. Nan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockhopper Posted September 13, 2016 Author Share Posted September 13, 2016 What about a sail on a schooner? I bet your son would like that and it would be educational. They feed you, you help sail the ship, the scenery is great, and you don,t have to know anything to do it. Nan That sounds fabulous too, and we historically are more saltwater people than fresh. How long would/could a sail like that be? I'd love to play with that idea some more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 That sounds fabulous too, and we historically are more saltwater people than fresh. How long would/could a sail like that be? I'd love to play with that idea some more. Anything from an hour long harbour tour to a week or two. There are also terms at sea for students. Maine is a nice location but there are schooners many other places as well. Some Maine schooners go south to the Carribean for the winter. Historic ports in other stayes have schooners, too. My son crewed on one one summer. He never wants to eat lobster again lol! One of our extra kids has been a mate for a few years now on one that has students doing ocean research all over the world. The son of friends crewed this summer on La Dona. I think she is out of Rockport. Or Camden. Or Rockland. That vicinity, anyway. She was newly refitted a few years ago. Nan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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