Frequently Asked Questions

We do not include a fishing boat with the houseboat rental. One is required for safety reasons. You may bring your own or rent one from us. Jet skis, canoes, and kayaks do not meet the safety requirement. Any size boat with a working outboard motor is acceptable. Please make sure your personal boat is in good working condition before you arrive.

Houseboats can tow up to four boats. You are responsible for the tie-up, arrangement, and any potential damage. Please bring your own 15–20 foot tow rope and large bumpers.

Minnesota has a new boater safety law that will eventually require most residents to obtain a watercraft operator’s permit. There is a grace period, with full enforcement beginning in 2028. The law is rolling out in phases starting with those born after June 30, 2004. For details, visit the Minnesota DNR website.

If you have time, we recommend completing the course before your trip. Our YouTube channel has orientation videos that we ask all guests to watch before arriving.

Yes. Please let us know well in advance so we can plan staffing. Call or email us for details.

Please let us know as soon as possible so we can make arrangements. We live on-site and closely monitor who is coming and going. Options include:

• We can sometimes schedule a driver for late arrivals (for a fee). We do not drive after sunset.
• You may return with your own smaller boat to pick up guests. Note that our rental boats do not have exterior lights and should not be operated after dusk.
• If guests arrive after 5 pm, you must spend the first night at our docks. We do not allow houseboats or rental boats to move after sunset.

We understand schedules can be complicated. Just communicate with us so we can help.

Each kitchen includes a refrigerator, freezer, stove, oven, sink, and a charcoal grill on the deck. We provide dishes, glassware, silverware, steak knives, pots, pans, utensils, a cutting board, and grill tools for the boat’s capacity. We also supply a small bottle of dish soap, a new scrubber, two dish towels, two potholders, and garbage bags. Unlimited fresh drinking water is provided in gallon jugs at no charge. Paper towels are not provided.

The 40′, 42′, 44′, 50′, and 54′ houseboats have an 8 cu. ft. refrigerator with a 2 cu. ft. freezer (RV size). The 55′ and 60′ Cruisers have side-by-side units with approximately 9 cu. ft. of refrigerator space. The 65′ Executive has two 8 cu. ft. refrigerators with freezers. Every houseboat also has a 75–120 qt cooler on the deck. Please do not overfill the refrigerator or freezer, as it may not cool properly.

The 42′, 54′, 55′, 60′, and 65′ houseboats come with Smart TVs (use your own hotspot) and microwaves. Bring an HDMI cable if you want to stream from a laptop. Reception can be spotty in the Northwoods.

Yes, all houseboats have a slide. Don’t forget your towels.

All houseboats have a 26″ Weber charcoal grill. Bring your own charcoal or purchase a bag from us.

We provide pillows with pillowcases at no charge. Bedding packages are available for $35 per bed and include two flat sheets and one lightweight microfleece blanket. You may also bring your own bedding or sleeping bags. Two kitchen dish towels and two potholders are provided. Please bring your own bath and beach towels.

Yes. We do not provide lounge chairs, but you are welcome to bring your own.

The 42′, 50′, 54′, 55′, and 60′ houseboats have electric coffee makers and toasters. The 40′, 44′, and 50′ houseboats have stove-top percolators. Bring 8–12 cup basket filters for the electric makers. Electric coffee makers require the generator; stove-top percolators do not.

No. Please do not bring regular toilet paper. The septic system is similar to an RV, and we supply the proper tissue. We will provide more during your stay if needed at no charge. Holding tanks are pumped after every stay, and we include holding tank deodorant packets.

No. Each houseboat is equipped with the appropriate number of adult life jackets. We do not supply child life jackets. You are welcome to bring your own. First aid kits are on every houseboat.

You can plug it into the generator outlets with an extension cord, or bring a CPAP battery pack if you prefer not to run the generator overnight. We do not rent battery packs.

Yes. Hot tubs can be added to houseboats if they do not come standard. When booking online, use the “add more” option under the houseboat you select. You can also call or email us. Hot tubs are $150 per night and must be rented for the full stay. Weekly rate is $750. Quantity is limited.

Yes. All 40,000 acres of Lake Vermilion are navigable. In 2018 we added Humminbird GPS units to every houseboat, and we provide maps with highlighted routes. Traveling from the east end to the west end takes roughly 6–8 hours at the houseboat’s typical cruising speed of about 5 mph. Hinsdale Island is a good midpoint stop.

Maps are provided on every houseboat. These are public sites—we do not own them.

We sell leeches (in season), crawlers, block ice, cube ice, firewood bundles, charcoal, lighter fluid, and souvenir clothing.

Fishing licenses can be purchased through the Minnesota DNR website.

Yes. You may visit them with a small boat. Houseboats are not allowed at other resorts or marinas.

Yes. We offer complimentary supply and garbage runs on Wednesdays (weather permitting and based on demand). Text us at 218-753-3548 before 10 am to place an order. Off-site purchases or runs on other days may include a service fee.

Paper towels, Ziploc bags or containers, aluminum foil, charcoal and lighter fluid, bath/beach towels and extra dish towels, bedding (if not purchasing a package), hand soap or sanitizer, Dawn dish soap, fan, extension cord, Bluetooth speaker, rain gear, water shoes, sunscreen, bug spray (do not spray interior lights), flyswatter, games or books, your own life jackets (especially for children), flashlight or headlamp, fishing license, binoculars, and floaties.

Yes, at designated sites with a fire ring when conditions allow. Make sure the fire is completely out before you leave, and leave the site better than you found it. Only bring firewood from St. Louis County, or purchase bundles from us.

Dogs are allowed; cats are not. Our staff and family have severe allergies. The pet fee is $50 per day or $250 per week per pet. Please let us know how many pets you’re bringing when you book. Keep your pet in the vehicle until check-in is complete, as we have dogs on-site. Pets must be leashed at all times, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after them.

No. You are responsible for the fuel used during your stay. We settle the fuel bill at check-out. Please do not use fuel from other marinas in our equipment. Our hospitality boat can deliver additional fuel for the generator or small rental boats if needed.

Most houseboats average 10 gallons or less per day. Larger twin-outboard models may use up to 15 gallons per day. All outboards are Mercury 4-stroke. Fuel tanks range from 120–250 gallons, which is more than enough for a full week.

We prefer cash or check but accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express (a 3% non-cash adjustment applies to card payments).

For true emergencies, call 911 first, then notify us. For minor issues, call or text the base. Lake Vermilion has rescue boats on both ends of the lake.

Family members can usually reach you by cell phone, as reception is available across most of the lake.

Fortune Bay Casino and golf course has slips available, but we strongly recommend calling their marina in advance at 1-800-992-7529 to confirm availability.

If you need to reschedule, we can transfer your deposit within the same season or roll it to a future season (an additional deposit may be required when new dates are confirmed). We will try to accommodate rescheduling in the same season but cannot guarantee availability.

To receive a refund of your deposit (minus a 5% administrative fee), cancel at least 90 days before your reservation. If you do not reschedule, the deposit and any payments are forfeited. All deposits made with Lake Vermilion Houseboats can be rolled toward future reservations.