A FIRST-TIME HOUSEBOATER

Consult a map when choosing a rental company.

With Voyagaire, you can explore Sand Point, Namakan and Kabetogama lakes, but it's a long journey to visit them all. Ebel's is convenient to Namakan and Kabetogama. If you rent from an outfitter on Rainy Lake, you'll stay on that one (vast!) body of water; only smaller boats can portage to the other lakes. Most companies require a minimum stay, often three nights.

Plan for hidden costs, like insurance, fuel, linens and a nightly $15 park permit. Also, the Coast Guard requires a tow-behind boat; if you don't bring one, you'll be renting. The cheapest choice is a small outboard fishing boat.

Go with friends or family. There are no docks at houseboat sites and the process to safely secure the boat requires a minimum of three ablebodied adults; we were thankful to have four.

You'll have hot water and appliances (and usually a gas grill on deck), but set your expectations low on luxury. On our boat, warm showers were spotty, and food stayed colder in our ice-filled Yeti than the freezer. We grilled more than cooking on the little indoor stove.