While most might prefer a short stay aboard a houseboat, there are those who are in between wanting a weekend away and buying their own boat. That’s where long term leases come into play. While there aren’t as many options in this market niche, there are still a few markets, primarily near the coast, such as in Washington, California, and New York.
Some things to keep in mind when considering a long-term lease are any membership fees that need to be paid (like the Marina live aboard fee, or storage fees), where you’re going to store your excess items while you’re living on the water, and what to do if there is any danger from inclement weather.
Staying offshore a bit longer can give you a real feel for how much you will enjoy living in a smaller space, and if you want to stay in one place or need something that will allow you to travel at a moment’s notice.
If you’re interested in seeking out a long-term lease, you can begin by checking for options on rental sites like Trovit. You can also look up Marinas near where you’d like to live and see if they have any listings available.
As far as specific companies, though, it depends mostly on where you want to go on a houseboat trip! We can show you some great houseboat photos of available boats for rent, but you’ll have to search your own area for a specific company (most of them have a range of boats, including the ones we feature on our site).