Thinking about buying a houseboat in page

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gusgus

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Good afternoon I'm thinking about buying a houseboat, it's located in Page Arizona on the water, but I want to transport it to bullfrog. Would it be cheaper to tow it renting a company to tow it to bullfrog or to float it.? I assume I would have to refill the tank multiple times and with dangling rope down not sure how I could carry enough fuel.?
 
It would be exponentially more expensive to have the boat trucked to Bullfrog vs driving it up river.

If you share more info on the boat (size, power, fuel tanks, etc) you will get better advice on how long or much additional fuel you would need to make the trip.

I’ve been partners on two boats that went from Bullfrog to the south end for repairs. And honestly I think every boat I’ve been partners on had the legs to make the run if you got the RPMs in the sweet spot.

I would make sure that any work you want done to the boat you do before going north. You will have a lot more choices in Page than up north.

When was the last time the boat was pulled out of the water? If it’s been more than a year the build up of quagga and algae on the hull is going to make that long run up north much less efficient.
 
I have a houseboat in bullfrog, and make run to page every 3-5 years. Tow a ski boat so we have a way back home. We burn 2 gallons/mile…..so right at 200 gallons for the trip.

The run will take you 10-11 hours. So check daylight hours. When we do the trip in October, we leave before dawn, and get there right at sunset.

It’s a long haul, and you should know your path….not a lot of extra time for a wrong turn.
 
We’ve made the trip with our 60’ Skipperliner many times, run about 2600 RPM (7moh) and takes right at 75 gallons per engine, and towing a 21’ Ranger. We do have a toy tank but have never had to refuel during the trip. We also make the trip in one day. We are under way at first light in the Spring or Fall to ensure we make the whole trip before dark

I download the Navonics map on my iPhone - really easy to get lost from about mile marker 26 to 12. Padre Bay is a bear if you get of course
 
It’s crazy how much fuel consumption varies so widely depending on size and engines.

36’ steel pontoon houseboat, single Merc 115 outboard. Over the course of a few days, made it from Wahweap past Halls/Bullfrog up to Forgotten Canyon and back to Bullfrog on 40 gallons running @ 3000 rpm at about 7 mph not towing any watercraft.
 
gusgus said:
My apologies for not putting more information on here, it's an old rental 50' upgrade, Boatel Hercules 50' with two 60 horse big foot 4 stroke outboards. Not sure how long it's been in or out of the water, just trying to evaluate the costs before making a deal. Thank you all for the help.
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I had a 60 HP efi 4 stroke on a Lund. That motor is pretty efficient. From memory, WOT fuel consumption is something like 6 GPH. On that boat I feel like the sweet spot was around 5000 RPMs (probably irrelevant for your use).

I remember we took the exact boat you’re asking about from Bullfrog to the San Juan (Cha) and back towing two stern drives and had considerable fuel left. That was in 2000 (still have the T shirt somewhere).

Anyway, I’d really suggest a survey before you pull the trigger. That would also tell you when the last time the boat was out of the water, and more important stuff like the integrity of the pontoons.

I’d also suggest you do a bit of research on issues associated with steel hull/pontoon boats. You could have some challenges with that.
 
If it still has original steel pontoons and you intend to keep it slipped or on a mooring, be sure it can be insured. Very tough finding companies for steel boats these days.

Those 60’s will sip gas but you won’t set any speed records. If you’re not towing any watercraft, 80 gal should easily get you to from Wahweap to Bullfrog. Bring an extra 4 cans if you want some insurance.

Apples to Oranges but our 115 Merc consumes 2.5 gph @3000 rpm. Even if those 60’s use 2.0 gph each (4.0 gph total) then 80 gal fuel should give you 20 hrs of cruising range. Wahweap to Escalante (done this many times) takes 10.5 hrs at 7 mph. Escalante to Bullfrog is another 4 hrs or so.
 
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I have taken our 75' Bravada from Bullfrog to Page several times. We have relatively efficient 6 cylinder 250 hp Mercruiser engines. Figure a gallon a mile per engine at 10 mph if not towing a runabout and another 10% if you are. Our Bravada has an 800 gallon fuel tank, so no worries. I bet yours has a large fuel tank also. Transporting a 75' Bravada by land would be way more expensive.
 
A few other tips. If you are driving yourself, get the Navionics app at least on your cell phone, even better on an iPad or laptop: www.navionics.com. It will help you avoid wrong turns, which are easy to make if you are not familiar with the Lake. Don't make the trip alone. If you don't feel up to the drive, you may be able to hire an Aramark pilot to take it to Bullfrog with or without you on board. If you drive yourself and are bringing the boat to a slip, consider using an Aramark pilot to bring it in your first time.
 
gusgus said:
My apologies for not putting more information on here, it's an old rental 50' upgrade, Boatel Hercules 50' with two 60 horse big foot 4 stroke outboards. Not sure how long it's been in or out of the water, just trying to evaluate the costs before making a deal. Thank you all for the help.
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Have run the same boat from Wahweap to the San Juan with 60 horse. Should have 70 gal tanks ran average 6mph took 11 hours. Left at daylight was anchored by dark. Pulling 2 fishing boats. That boat was a 50’ with a added deck on back so was 56’.
 
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