Timeshare boats, how many passengers is too many, 25 seems excessive

[GregC]

Well said, Scott. That's one of the beauties of Lake Powell -- there are many ways to tailor the experience to our desires, abilities, budget, acceptable adventure level, and those with whom we want to spend our time. I tend to look at Powell trips the same way my watermelon-loving grandfather looked at watermelons. He used to say, "They're all good -- some are just better than others."

Kinda like donuts, There's the "Big 'ol good ones and the Good 'ol big ones!

 

[Waterbaby]

Responding to Gary & Potter's posts on houseboats vs cruisers... You've posted about how family size and cohesion have influenced your choice. I'd like to add age.

For a number of years we enjoyed a large (for the era) houseboat at Bullfrog with groups up to 20 people. I'll remember many of those trips fondly for a long time. But now, in my 60's, the stress and strain would kill me. Well at least wear me out. Now I love the cruiser experience - launching, motoring, anchoring, etc. are fast and easy. And two other couples or a single branch of the family is plenty of guests.

Right on!!! Same here... we had years of big groups - here on Havasu and up at Lake Powell on the old boats... but we so thoroughly enjoyed our quit trips with us and our dogs on our Playcraft TriTune..... no muss no stress no hurt feelings - like someone is having to do all the work while so-and-so sits on the beach..

 

[Dale]

From the comments, I can only assume that I have the best family in the world! Not only did we all houseboat together, for the years my parents were able, without confrontations, we still all get together for every holiday, and then some, all the SIL's take over the kitchen from prepping & cooking to clean up! If we are grilling, one of my brothers is a master, The rest of us do what we are told!

 

[Powelldreamer]

For what it is worth. I have a big family. All 5 of my kids are grown and married. We have 12 grandkids and 1 more on the way. When our family was younger my mother-in-law would rent 2 large houseboats for her 5 children and families. We did this every 3 years or so. We all go along fine. Our family enjoyed those times. We definitely could not afford to rent 2 houseboats so we bought into a "shared ownership" houseboat of 68 feet. There will be 14 adults, 2 teenagers,6 kids from 6-10 years of age and 3 toddlers. We will be just fine after a mid-week pump and dump. We also get together every other Sunday for a family dinner at our house. Families used to be that way. I am glad ours still is. For those naysayers out there it can, does and will happen for people that put working together and mutual respect and love in the mix. We have been doing it for 30 years. I enjoy providing the memories that my in laws gave to us and our kids. It has been a tremendous blessing in our lives and would recommend it to anyone.