At Forever Houseboats, we offer rentals for winter houseboat vacations on some of the best recreational lakes in the Southwestern United States. Although most houseboating basics remain the same regardless of the season, your packing list for a winter trip will be a bit different than it would be for a summer trip.
Here are our top tips when packing for a winter houseboat vacation.
Bring Appropriate Outerwear
The temperatures in the American Southwest are mild throughout the winter, but mild does not mean it is always warm. When packing outerwear, be sure to bring a warm hat, gloves, jacket, and pants. Fleece or microfleece vests and jackets work great even if they get damp and don’t take up much room when packed. You will also want to pack a waterproof, breathable rain jacket and pants. It may not rain much in the Southwest, but the chances for wet weather increases in the winter months.
Bring Layers
On Lake Powell, the temperature drops an average to 20 degrees overnight. The best way to be prepared for the fluctuations in weather is to layer your clothing. Bring long underwear, medium-to-heavy weight long-sleeve shirts and long pants. Don’t overlook the importance of the right socks. Warm, padded hiking socks can make a huge difference during the chilly evening hours. If you plan on hiking, bring sturdy hiking boots in addition to the lightweight shoes you will wear around the boat.
Personal Gear
One of the most common packing mistakes people make on winter houseboat vacations is to forget the sunblock. Most days in the Southwest are sunny and the sun’s rays can still cause damage on cloudy or overcast days, so be sure to pack plenty of sunblock and lip moisturizer. Additionally, you will probably want some lotion to keep your skin moisturized in the dry, desert climate.
Winter houseboat vacations are a great way to shake off the winter doldrums. At Forever Houseboats, we are proud to offer year-round houseboat rentals on some of America’s favorite scenic waterways in the Southwest. For more information or to make your reservation, contact us today.
