lakelover77
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Newbie - but oldie to the lakes
Hello there, I am new to the community. But an oldie to Laurel and Cumberland Lake. My hubby and I love both lakes, and are looking into buying a
houseboat... very stressful but I keep thinking of the end result. I found a houseboat I am very interested in located at Conley Bottom, any tips or
advice for a hopefully new houseboat owner?
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MarineAssist
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Welcome!
Lots of things come to mind, but many more knowledgeable will give you some more stuff to ponder as well.
Hopefully, you are buying an aluminum hull boat?
Have you hired a marine surveyor (home inspector for boats) to evaluate the boat on your behalf for condition and it's value?
Check insurance closely to make sure you are truly getting the best coverage for the dollar spent. When comparing, make sure it is apples to apples.
There are two types of policies; Actual Cash Value (based on NADA book prices) and Agreed Value (you and the ins comp agree up front how much the boat
is worth should you need to file a claim).
Get as many of the maintenance reciepts as possible up front to see what type of work has been done and how recent it all is.
Ask when the last time was the boat was hauled to have the engine/drives serviced and the hull inspected. If it is not within the last ~5 years or so,
you may want to plan that into your expenses before much use.
Is the boat currently registered in the State, or is it Coast Guard Documented? Have you made sure the taxes are paid up to date before taking
ownership or if there are any leins?
When was the last time the boat was run and actually out on the lake?
Does it have the required proper toilet sanitation system and is it operational?
What is the condition of the gel coat on the roof where you walk?
Does it come fully equipped with all the proper safety gear required by law and all the other things needed to make it usable?
This is just some of the stuff that comes to mind.
I hope you enjoy it and have good luck.
Make sure you get a Marine Assist membership! 
www.marineassistky.com
Don
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WaterWings
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Big welcome to the forum lakelover77. We're glad to have you on board with us.
Well best piece of advice I can give you is have the boat "surveyed" by a reputable guy.
I was going to recommend MarineAssist but I see he has beat me to the punch. 
There are others but I can't remember any names right now.
Edited: Everything MarineAssist said above is good advice.
And yep, I also would avoid a steel hull boat as a beginner unless your hubby is a welder by profession.
Do you plan to stay at Conley?
Keep in mind extra funds for slip fees, insurance, gas, taxes.
OHHHH you will love it by the way. Trust me, you'll find a way to make it work.
WHATEVER floats your boat Dude!
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MarineAssist
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WW, I kinda gave up doing surveys. I suppose I could get back into it sometime, but right now I am not fooling with it. Most people buying only want a
value report and really care nothing about "seaworthiness and safety". Most were only wanting it done because the bank or insurance company told them
to get it done, not for their own benefit. I refuse to compete in that market.
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WaterWings
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MarineAssist
WW, I kinda gave up doing surveys. I suppose I could get back into it sometime, but right now I am not fooling with it. Most people buying only want a
value report and really care nothing about "seaworthiness and safety". Most were only wanting it done because the bank or insurance company told them
to get it done, not for their own benefit. I refuse to compete in that market. |
Don't blame you MarineAssist. I imagine its a tough field. Lot of people with conflicting opinions and different values and placing yourself between a
rock and a hard place for little money.
Lakelover77 you can go to Terry Miller's Houseboats by Terry site and then to the bottom of the home page and find useful LINKS. Then scroll way down
and find some surveyors and a place to look them up "SAMS".
Try this link. http://www.marinesurvey.org/index2.html
WHATEVER floats your boat Dude!
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squakmeister
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MarineAssist
Most people buying only want a value report and really care nothing about "seaworthiness and safety".
Most were only wanting it done because the bank or insurance company told them to get it done, not for their own benefit. I refuse to compete in that
market. |
Shaking head, surprised look on face, flabbergasted exhale, etc., etc., etc.
Are you saying, folks will plop down 6 figures to buy a houseboat and don't care !!!!!
If that's the case, then they deserve whatever fate and circumstances dish out to them.
Don't care about "seaworthiness and safety".
Holy Moly.
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Captain Bob
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WELCOME ABOARD!
Welcome to the Forum, lakelover77
And welcome to the wonderful world of houseboating.
Here is a site with helpful information for new owners: CLICK HERE
And this one has some very valuable information: CLICK HERE
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lakelover77
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WOW!! Thank you all so much for your wonderful advice. I current have a bowrider so this is a huge upgrade for me!! This will be our first houseboat.
Granted I grew up houseboating with my dad at Brooksville...lets just say that was a "few" years ago and times have changed. 
@ Marine Assist: Thank you for your helpful advise. Yes we plan on going over all that info when we see the boat tomorrow.
Now..as for the proper toilet sanitation system and is it operational... can you explain to me how I would know. And as for proper safety gear for
coast guard...I know whats needed on my bowrider boat... but not sure for houseboat.
@Water Wings... Thank you, Thank you. Yes we plan on staying at Conley Bottom. A survey is a must - And Slip fees, gas, taxes, etc have all been
considered. Which is why we are having a hard time deciding between Laurel and Cumberland. Laurel is more expensive than cumberland for slip fees.
I plan on heading to the Lake tomorrow to look at the houseboat. He told my husband he has had several offers... so I might be looking at others to
while I am there. I don't want to get my heart set on one and then it be gone. 
Again thank you all so much. Sorry the delay reponse -- work duties, then mom duties, its a full time job!!
Looking forward to the lake life here soon!!
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Six Pack Summer
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I would second the getting a survey of the boat. Last thing you want to do is buy a boat then have to sink major dollars into it. However, I know a
lot of people that buy houseboats without surveys, not me.
While I dont doubt you, it is hard to imagine the slip fees at Cumberland are less than they are at Laurel. Maybe if you factor in the amenities but
in just pure dollars that is hard to believe.
I went from a runabout to a houseboat ten years ago, best thing I ever did
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lakelover77
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Hi there Six Pack Summer. Actually yes it is more expensive at Laurel than Cumberland. Roughly $3,000 a yr vs Cumberland $2,000 a year for slip fees.
And that was almost 2 summers ago when we checked into it. Granted I am just rounding off numbers here. Cumberland is a treat and release lake...
Laurel is not... Laurel has 2 marinas...Cumberland has 1,2,3,...many. LOL.
Needless to say I have been houseboat shopping for quite some time. Just have to find the right one!
I agree...going from runabout to Houseboat will be the best...although we are keeping the runabout...It will be used for tubing fun etc...
Thanks again for the advise.
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Six Pack Summer
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You may want to take a look at the moorage rates on the Conley Bottom website.
Being a "treat and release" lake is a disadvantage is my opinion. I dont want to swim in it.
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fyrfightr
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Six Pack Summer
You may want to take a look at the moorage rates on the Conley Bottom website.
Being a "treat and release" lake is a disadvantage is my opinion. I dont want to swim in it. |
Compared to those "no discharge" lakes, where boats still "release", just no "treat".
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lakelover77
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Hiya!! Sorry I have not posted in a while.
I have been doing lots of research and this is what I have found out regarding slip fees at Cumberland Conley bottom vs Laurel Lake Holly Bay.
Cumberland: Depending on the pier you have your slip depends on the slip fee. For a slip at Pier 2 for a 59' boat its $3950/yr. PLUS - if you have jet
skis they charge for them as well - If they are permanently attached to your houseboat they do not charge for them. - I believe that is what they
stated.
Laurel Lake: They go by boat size. For any boat over 40' in length its $4.80/ft per month which is $3,398.40/yr.
So in actuallity it is cheaper at Laurel.
Now what I'm wondering is how I can find out about Moving a houseboat from one lake to another. Anyone have any thoughts or ideas on who I can call.
And...if you know someone who has moved a boat before do you know about how much it was?
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lake4fun
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Slip rental at lake Cumberland
All of the Marinas on LC have different rate and different ways to charge for slips and services. You need to look very carefully at the rates AND
the extras. Some marinas like State Dock and Wolf Creek Marina have fixed flat rates for their slips-- the rates are not calculated by the size of
boat nor by the number of jet skis etc that you have. Additionally, you need to look at fuel and store discounts -- and ramp launch fees. For
example a discount on fuel purchases can make a big difference when you need 200 - 300 gallons to fill up.
When picking a slip, make sure that you'll be comfortable with the size of slip with your boat in the slip. For example, if you buy an 80' boat and
you put it in a 60' slip, you will have 20' of boat that you can't get to when washing the boat. That also applies to double entry slip, where you
have a slip finger only on one side. It's hard to wash the side of the boat when you don't have a finger to walk on and turning a houseboat around
and backing it in a slip is a trick in itself.
Also on your insurance: Make absolutely sure to get a 'hull' policy. This means that your coverage includes the cost of salvage, environmental clean
up and storage if your boat sinks. Many boat policies do not include those items and you can be left with a $10,000 to $25,000 bill if it sinks and
your not covered for those liabilities. There are several good insurance agents around the lake that know how to insure a houseboat. I have our
houseboat insured with a different company (and agent) since my home and car guy can't write a hull policy.
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Captain Bob
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| Quote: | Originally posted by lakelover77
Hiya!! Sorry I have not posted in a while.
I have been doing lots of research and this is what I have found out regarding slip fees at Cumberland Conley bottom vs Laurel Lake Holly Bay.
Cumberland: Depending on the pier you have your slip depends on the slip fee. For a slip at Pier 2 for a 59' boat its $3950/yr. PLUS - if you have jet
skis they charge for them as well - If they are permanently attached to your houseboat they do not charge for them. - I believe that is what they
stated.
Laurel Lake: They go by boat size. For any boat over 40' in length its $4.80/ft per month which is $3,398.40/yr.
So in actuallity it is cheaper at Laurel.
Now what I'm wondering is how I can find out about Moving a houseboat from one lake to another. Anyone have any thoughts or ideas on who I can call.
And...if you know someone who has moved a boat before do you know about how much it was? |
It will cost a LOT more to move a houseboat from one lake to another than most people expect. Even if you expect to save X dollars a year on slip
rental, consider ALL the costs (at both lakes/marinas) as well as which lake do you REALLY want to be on.
Moving a houseboat overland (no matter what size-and especially an older one) involves some risk plus unexpected surprises.
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lake4fun
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Six Pack Summer
You may want to take a look at the moorage rates on the Conley Bottom website.
Being a "treat and release" lake is a disadvantage is my opinion. I dont want to swim in it. |
I love how perception creates reality...
First, it is illegal to dump raw sewage in any fresh water body in the U.S. Secondly, your kidding yourself to think that just because the rule is no
dumping that it doesn't happen. Thirdly, take a walk up the hill to see the treatment plant that the pump out stations use on any lake. Once the
sewage is treated, where do you think it goes? The lakes in TN and & KY are in very rural areas and the treatment systems are generally smaller
and rarely managed. That means that they run without anyone monitoring them. If something goes haywire, you can get a lot of raw sewage rolling down
the hill and back into the lake. This can be far worse in that a larger volume of sewage is concentrated in a single location. When big cities have
storms, the city sewage systems get overloaded and raw sewage very often runs directly into the local watershed. For cities like Cincinnati and
Louisville, it runs directly into the Ohio River. For Nashville, the Cumberland.
The ACOE monitors the water quality of the lakes and rivers under ACOE management. The water tests are made public. The fact is that Lake Cumberland
is as clean as any other and sometimes even better. I believe that having treatment systems gets better compliance. If you have holding tanks and
you are not in a place to get pumped out what do you do? Wait; Everyone hold it until we can get back into the dock for a pump out? Holding tanks
(at least on houseboats) have an overflow and if they get full the raw sewage runs out into the lake. A type II treatment system is a very simple
unit and is constructed exactly like the city systems but on a smaller scale. Short of having too many people on the boat, and over loading the
system, there's little to go wrong without you and your neighbors knowing it. You nose is the key here. If your system is working correctly you will
have no odor. If it's broken, believe me, you and neighbors within a quarter mile will know it. The fix? A pump out and adding bacteria to get the
microbial action started again. The smell goes away and the system works again.
The same situation can happen to the treatment system up on the hill. In which case the local honey dipper shows up with a truck, pumps it out and it
is started all over again. While you're waiting for the honey dipper, does everyone at the dock and wanting a pump out wait? No the waste keep
getting pumped because people still need to... Well, do what people do.
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mouth89
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Captain Bob
It will cost a LOT more to move a houseboat from one lake to another than most people expect. Even if you expect to save X dollars a year on slip
rental, consider ALL the costs (at both lakes/marinas) as well as which lake do you REALLY want to be on.
Moving a houseboat overland (no matter what size-and especially an older one) involves some risk plus unexpected surprises. |
I think Captain Bob is right. You really need to look at which lake you would prefer to be on and go from there. What are you looking for in a lake
for a more permanent residence? Which lake more suits what your expectations are? Moving a houseboat is very expensive! Cumberland and Laurel are very
different.
Just be cautioned that as with making any purchase like this, when you think you have accounted for all the fees and expenses..... surprise
BTW, I like your name. lakelover used to be my license plate.
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Six Pack Summer
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I have to agree with Mouth that moving a houseboat is the last thing you want to do. Unless you could steal a boat and make the move make economic
sense. Need to decide what lake you wish to boat on and then find the right houseboat. I wanted to boat on Laurel and it took me about 2 years to find
the houseboat I wanted. She is right, Cumberland and Laurel are very different in some good ways for both. It's what you are comfortable with, you'll
find good and some not so good people on both lakes.
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lakelover77
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My oh my! This is so stressful.
Honestly the drive to Holly Bay at Laurel Lake is 2 1/2 hours for me. The drive to Conely at Cumberland is 3 hours. Its only a 1/2 hour. But the
prices at Conley are more expensive.
Everyone on here has been a huge help!! I can't thank you enough for your help!! Well actually I will, when I settle in... I have beers for my peeps!!
I am so glad I found this "community" page. I can't wait til I finally find the houseboat for us. And settle in somewhere!!
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mouth89
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| Quote: | Originally posted by lakelover77
Well actually I will, when I settle in... I have beers for my peeps!!
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Well in that case, haha, forget about everything else.... come to Laurel
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lakelover77
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LOL I was wondering how many viewers would see that!!
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