Suggestions and Tips 

The top deck was our favorite place to be and would have been more pleasant bringing the following outdoor gear.  Unfortunately, we forgot them.

• Zero-Gravity Chairs are our favorites. They would have been perfect to relax (or sleep on) under the shade of the Clam Quick-Set Screen Shelter while sailing away the day.

• The Clam Quick-Set Screen Shelter would have been a perfect sun shelter during the day trips and mosquito protection for evening moon gazing.

• Our SansBug Pop-Up Mosquito-tents made for peaceful-bug-free sleeping to place on the bunk beds. 

Scroll down for more details:

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Groceries

• Bottled Water for Drinking. 10 five-gallon jugs are provided for cooking.

• Drinks

• Snacks

• Favorite spices

• condimentsts

• Vegetables

• Dairy Products

• Meats

• Canned Goods

• Bread & Cereals

• Pancake Mix

• Cooking Oil

Suggestions for Driving

A Houseboat

When driving the houseboats, stay in the main channels as requested by the rental companies. This body of water is “rock-city”. The islands are pure rock, the shores are rock ledges, and there are many rock shoals interspersed within the deep waters. We heard that one party recently brought back a houseboat with over $6,000 of lower-end engine damage by hitting rocks. The houseboats make a great base camp. Use the towed boats for exploring back bays and channels. Some houseboats towed up to three fancy fishing boats or speed boats to do the exploring in. You are certainly welcome to bring your own towed boats. Northernaire did supply a nice roomy towboat but we supplied the motor for it.

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Our boat used very little gas – only 5 gallons per day. However, Northernaire does charge about 50 cents more a gallon than gas stations.

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COST

Northernaire Houseboats Rainy Lake

https://www.northernairehouseboats.com/site/virtualtour/

The rental cost for the 42’ Adventurer was: $1995 per week or $440 per day, plus 6.875% Minnesota sales tax, 3% lodging tax, and a $550 deposit that is returned minus fuel used. Northernaire supplies all the cookware, dishes, and utensils. Blanket and pillows are also included. We took bedrolls so we didn’t have to mess with bed linens and such. Check out the website: northernairehouseboats.com for more information on what is supplied, a suggested list of gear to bring, and what else Northernaire sells. They run specials and we got the 10% off weekday special (Monday through Friday). 

Voyageurs National Park Fees: There is a nightly houseboat mooring fee. You can pay for this at Northernaire Houseboats and they will provide you with the permits.

WIFI Signal and 

Cell Service

Don’t rely on your cell phone or GPS to work. Rental boats are equipped with radios for emergencies, but the best advice is to use a good map Leave the Northernaire Office with your family in case they need to get a hold of you for an emergency. The office will can radio your boat to leave the message. Make sure someone knows where you’re headed, and to be smart about weather.