We are excited for the upcoming season! We have been working hard this spring installing new Westerbeke generators in each houseboat. We have also been busy getting six new Sea Doo GTX Pro 130’s ready to add to your trip! Also new this season, we have add Bote paddleboards to our fleet or kayaks. Excited to see all of you soon! Cheers! Wake Zone family!
Complimentary Captain Services provided - why?
It’s hard to believe that we are starting our 22nd year renting houseboats on Lake Ouachita. We have learned so much over these years - like where’s the best place to park a houseboat when storms are forecasted and where are the safest places to drive the houseboat during a certain lake level so we don't hit any standing timber. These are just a couple of examples that have played into our decision to require our customers to use our captain services. We have been providing complimentary captain services for a very long time. The vast majority of our customers over the past 10 years have enjoyed our captain services and actually prefer it over captaining the boat themselves, so this decision doesn’t affect many people. However, there may be a customer here or there that requests the option to drive. Here are a few reasons that have influenced our decision:
Insurance - Our liability insurance is ever-increasing due to the higher costs of repairs. Insurance damage claim amounts have tripled because of increases in parts and labor costs. The more money in claims, the higher the increase in insurance premiums. Also, the costs of new houseboat construction has quadrupled over the last 15 years which increases the values of the used market. These increases trickle down to increases in the insured values of our houseboats, which increase our premiums once again.
Supply chain - Parts are harder and harder to get and their price seems to increase faster and faster. If a customer were to damage an outdrive during their trip and we could not get parts in time - not only is his/her trip ruined but possibly the next trip and the trip after that.
Lake and weather awareness - Customers who have driven our houseboats in the past have caused damages to the houseboats because they have hit underwater trees or simply because they parked in an area that was open to severe weather winds. These customers knew how to drive the houseboat but were unaware of the standing timber in that area of the lake or didn't take weather into consideration when operating or when parking the houseboat.
As you can see, by removing customer captains, we have reduced the chances of damages occurring during the rental and help to insure that all of our customers have a safe and relaxing vacation. I hope this helps you understand our decision. Feel free to call us anytime and we will be happy to visit more. Thank you, Donny Kindt - Owner
The Boathouse is here!
2022 brings a new addition to Wake Zone! The 16’ x 84’ - 4 bedroom 2 bath floating boathouse will be moored at our Wake Zone dock and rented like a stationary floating condo. The Boathouse is a 2018 Harbor Cottage and the hull construction is very similar to our other houseboats. The house side is built more like a home than a houseboat with insulated walls, floors and ceilings. Walls are drywall, it has residential windows and a pitched metal roof. We are excited to offer our houseboat rental customers a place to stay before their houseboat trip where they can stay onboard until their houseboat was ready. In the past, they would have to check out of a hotel nearby and haul all of their groceries in coolers. The Boathouse eliminates this hassle by providing on onsite place to stay and relax while we prepare the houseboat for their arrival!
2021 is here!
We are now taking reservations for our 2021 season! Call 501-991-3600 for more information.
Openings!
We still have a few openings left in July!
Shirley Ann headed out!
June Savings
Call us at 501-991-3600 and we will make you a great deal on any remaining trip in June!
Good morning!
Lake Charles Boat Show
Stop by and see us this weekend at the Central Gulf Coast Boat, Sport and RV Show! Special discounts during the show! Call 501.991.3600 or send us a message for more info!
Happy Labor Day Weekend!
Hope everyone has a happy and safe weekend! Our weekends are booked in September but we have several openings for our midweek rentals (Monday - Friday) Give us a call and we'll make you a great deal on any remaining midweeks!
Heading out in the Royal Flush today!
Girls trip!
Having fun on the deck of the Wendy Ann!
Say Cheese! 😊
Calm after the storm
SPECIAL!!!
Take $500 off any remaining dates in August!!
Great summer spot in Bear Creek!
August openings
Off-season rates start August 15!!
Latest from Our Instagram!
We love posting pictures to Instagram account! Make sure to follow us @wakezonehouseboats. Here are some of our latest pics. Enjoy!
