Party Houseboat Rentals on Little Backbones, Lake Shasta, California

by John
(Fresno, CA)

When it comes to wild party houseboat rentals on Little Backbones, on Lake Shasta in California, have we got a good story that happened to us, or "them" I should say.

We had been in a small cove aboard our 1977, 56' Masterfab houseboat "Princess Kai Hui" when we heard another boat heading our way. Coming into view soon was a rental houseboat from a close-by marina with probably 20 people on board.

The hill we were staked to was not steep but the other ones in that cove were VERY steep and not good holding material (loose shale).

As the rental boat looked for a place to stake, we watched, hoping they would realize that they would be, at best, no more than 75 feet from us....and pick another spot from among the 375 miles of available shoreline. But no such luck !

After several attempts to stake to a steep hillside (and losing ALL the stakes they had been issued) they backed away from a particularly poorly chosen spot.

Next, to our disbelief, they opened the throttle on the engine FULL, and took about a 50-foot run right into the hill. About three feet of the pontoons rode up on the shore while making a sound not unlike a handful of pebbles being thrown into a food processor!

Several overweight and very drunk adults tried to scamper up the hill where a few tree stumps were embedded in the shale. They never made it to the trees, but did find a boulder to which they tied one rope (not two).

Then the real drinking and partying began.... lasting well into the wee hours of the morning.

About 11:00 am the next morning, we were swimming off the back of our boat when we heard their engine start up and then heard the drive engage. Surely in forward we thought.... to get closer to shore.

But we watched in shock as the houseboat started to move in reverse, soon pulling the boulder out of its' bed where it began rolling down the hill.

It hit the front of the rental boat and didn't stop until it was sitting in the cabin and had destroyed the helm station. Only by the Grace of God was no one injured !

About an hour later the marina chase boat turned up and took the now free floating house boat in tow. We gave reports to the marina and the Sheriff's office.

It was the most insane thing I have ever seen in 50 years of boating and I am hopeful that marinas will conduct a little more educating to new renters.

These people had no regard for anybody or anything, and were a disgrace to boaters everywhere !

John, from Lake Shasta, CA

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Reply - Answer
Well John, welcome to the houseboat forums, and thank you for such a hilariously funny story of some wild party houseboat renters.

You had me peeing my pants with the image of a huge boulder rolling down the hill, and crashing right through and into the cabin. Mind you, I am glad no one was hurt. (lucky)

We should mention though, I am sure that there are many good houseboat rental locations that take the time, or short time at least to give the new potential captains get a limited understanding of what's involved.

I also agree that wild drinking behavior on a boat tends to lead to trouble, and it can be serious trouble at that.

Nevertheless, you had me peeing my pants from laughter (in case you thought I had weak bladder control) with that super funny story. PS, a very nice picture, the water looks gorgeous.

I am sure that your houseboat rental story will inspire other boaters to share some of their funny, weird, insane, or wild party tales with us all here. Laughter is good medicine !!!



Lastly, hopefully some of our readers will share and post comments about their own houseboat rental reviews or experiences. Feel free to use the "Click here to post comments." link found near the bottom of this page.


Thanks again for sharing, IAN from all-about-houseboats

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