Houseboat

Memories

How it all started Houseboat History 1986-1998

We first found out about the Houseboats at the 1986 Sports Boat and Travel Show at Century II. As the guys walked around and looked at Boats the gals toured a brand new 6 sleeper that Tri-Lakes had hauled down to the Wichita show from Tablerock Lake in Missouri. They brought home the brochures and we soon booked our first excursion. That first year Tri-Lakes was just getting a brand new 16 sleeper. As it turned out, we were the very first customers to use Houseboat # 475. That year we could only convince 13 people that it would be a fun trip. It would the first of 10 trips spanning 13 years.

The first Crew was Joe & Sandy Williams, Bret & Sheryl Burton, Percy & Becky Kirk, Mark & Lori Jenkins, Phil & Darla, (friends of Jenkins) Steve Crow and Tim and Mary Crow.

That first summer we drove that boat every where. And we went with the air conditioner on. In all the trips since then we have never spent that much money on gas. At the time gas was about $1.20 a gallon at the Marina. We were shocked at the expensive Marina gas. The Houseboat typically cost about $70 to fill if it was empty. For the 1st 6 years we picked the boat up in Shell Knob, which was slightly closer for us. Then Tri-Lakes closed down that dock and only rented out of their main location in Kimberling City. In our 10 trips we have had over 50 different people go. The fewest number to set sail was 12 in 1988. We have enjoyed a full crew of 16 on 4 different years. First it was babies, then children that has caused some to not be able to go. Our luck with weather has been extremely good. In 1991 we did have several rainy days while we were there. In 1995 year the whole summer was crazy, but we have always had many fun times and good memories.

We have had one year when the lake was so high that we worried that we might not be able to get the HB under the Kimberling Bridge. It went under with many feet to spare. When the sun did shine, and it usually did, there were those who (since their Momma was not there) failed to put any sun tan lotion on. They wanted that deep golden look. Mark Randall and Curtis Wilson come to mind. They passed Golden brown and went straight to Red. The pain they must have endured that night on those sheets.

We usually took several ski boats to zip around the lake and ski and tube. Our first boat that we co-owned with the Kirks was a 1966 Lonestar, affectionately called the “Love Boat”. The “Loveboat” was a 17 foot brown 20 year old boat that we had bought the year before. The Houseboat trips can be traced back to the purchase of this cruiser and our love for the lake. Thanks Paul Warne for getting us hooked!

The Loveboat last 2 years. We bought it in 1985 and sold it and bought a brand new 1986 (left over) 19 foot Sunbird boat in 1987. Percy and I went to the 1987 Tulsa Boat show and bought it from “Honest Ray”. The Sunbird made its debut on the houseboat rip in 1987.

Steve Crow often brought his boat on the trip. I don’t remember using it except for one time. Usually we just towed it behind the houseboat all around the darned lake. Sometimes we sat in it as it was being towed and sometimes Steve and the guys worked on it. The one time that we did actually fire it up, was during a water balloon fight where the ski boats were playing chicken and seeing how close we could come to each other, and once we got VERY close. How we did not crash is a miracle. Steve always claimed it was his driving skills.

Steves boat was the only boat I every knew of that had “brakes”

On later trips Bret brought his father in laws boat once and a fishing boat another time, Mark Anaya brought his several times, the Bell Boat and there were a few others.

One year we cruised over towards Indian Point and tied up the Houseboat. We motored over to shore where we had arranged for a bus ride to Branson. This is where Joe asked the famous question of the driver…when is your busy season? That night we messed around Branson had dinner and rode mini dune buggies and go-karts.

In 1996 the group went into Kimberling City on Saturday night to the bright lights of Ahoys bar. Too much adult beverages were consumed. We made friends with Todd the waiter. It was also “Thong” night. Romy Bell had made a nice Thong for each of the guys and we wore them that night at Ahoys!

Many years the Houseboat ended up near Shell Knob on Saturday Night where the crew would ascend the steps to Pizza Hut. It was always the best Pizza. Cold Iced tea by the gallon and floor that would not stop moving.

Several years we went to the cliffs just past Shell Knob where many of the crew would take their turns jumping the 30 feet (seemed like 75 feet from the top) into the blue water below, and sometimes we would turn the boat north and head up the lake to the Rope swing near point 9.

The crew has always s been centered on a core group of friends, and as couples have split up or changed, the good times have continued to roll along. And no matter who has gone, all have had a good time on the trip. Early on we spent much of the light of day swimming and skiing. As our hair has become more difficult to locate near our forehead, we have taken to socializing, card playing and eating. Still there is lot’s of boat riding and water fun. The days go very fast and before you know it we are packing for the return trip.

In 1998 we went on our 10^th Houseboat Cruise. After the first boat filled up quickly, we reserved a 2^nd and ended up getting a group of 28 folks to go. It was a non-stop party. Each night we tied the boats up front to front to make a fairly large area for an outdoor gathering. One night was “Country Night” with Steaks and Baked Potatoes, the next was Mexican night with plenty of great Mexican food, and cold Margaritas.

SUICIDE LAUNCHES:

The actual start date of the first “suicide launch” was not recorded. It is believed to have been in 1995. It was the art of being in the top of the houseboat at night in total darkness and shooting water balloons straight up in the air, then waiting for then to return down. Sometimes they would hot the top of the houseboat nearby, sometimes they would land harmlessly out in the lake. It was the anticipation of not knowing if you were going to get hit on the falling balloon was it’s appeal. Once the balloon was launched, it would be deadly quiet for a short time and then the screaming would start as the balloon re-entered our space.

TOWING OF THE BOATS:

The towing of the boats was also a big part of our planning. The first year we just tied the motor boat up behind the houseboat and towed it. IT seemed to work rather well, the only exception was when we slowed down and stopped the houseboat, the towed boats would float into the rear of the houseboat. One other problem was that the boats would come untied and would come unattached and we would find it later some distance away floating behind the houseboat.

On one of the next trips we designed 2” X 12” boards and clamped them to the rear deck of the houseboat. Then this long 2X12 had several 6 foot long 2X12’s hinged off of it to allow them to hook to the front of the towed motor boat. This allowed the boats to be towed 6 foot behind the houseboat, then when the houseboat stopped they would be held back 6 feet. You could also walk on the 2 X 12 as a gang plank to get on the boat being towed. Sounded great.

Problems: If you walked on the boards they were so wet and slick to would slip and fall in the lake. When you stopped then the boats would stay back but hit each other. And if you turned the hinges would twist off and come apart, and you would notice later you were missing a boat. It was usually a mile behind just floating.

Then Steve the Tool Man Crow went to the design shop and built some metal triangles that were also hinged. We screwed plywood on to the top to allow us to walk across them, We installed carpet strips on them to prevent slipping. The angle design prevented the twisting problem we had encountered before. We were set. Upon installing them they seemed to work fine. The when it came to stopping the houseboat the towed boats would come un-hooked from the snap clamps. This did not work either.

We went back to the ropes to tow the boats and added extra knots so they would not come untied, and we ran to the back every time we stopped. That worked best.

To be continued…