HOUSEBOATING 101
YOUR ARRIVAL
You will be greeted by our friendly hosts, who will direct you to parking and initiate check-in procedures. At the registration office necessary information will be provided to the Captain and Co-Captains assuring a safe and enjoyable vacation. Once your boat is available the hosts will arrange to have our complimentary porter service transport your gear to the houseboat. The Captain and Co-Captains will receive an orientation onboard the houseboat. This will take about 45 minutes and before you know it, you will be on your way to experience a classic Twin Anchors adventure.
HOUSEBOAT ORIENTATION
You will learn a lot about the operation of your houseboat in 45 minutes. We recommend you appoint a few first mates and review the “how to” videos (links below) and operation manuals (links below – average PDF size is 25MB) prior to your arrival at our marinas. The more you know, the more enjoyable your houseboat vacation will be.
- Cruiser Operating Manual
- CruiseCraft 1 Operating Manual
- CruiseCraft 2 Operating Manual
- CruiseCraft 3 Operating Manual
- CruiseCraft 4 Operating Manual
- CruiseCraft 5 Operating Manual – please note, our CruiseCraft 5 houseboats vary slightly from each other, however, basic operation remains the same.
- CruiseCraft 6 Operating Manual
- Genesis 60 Operating Manual
- Genesis 70 Operating Manual
- Genesis 75 Operating Manual
- Legacy 94 Operating Manual
OPERATOR’S LICENSE
A Pleasurecraft Operator’s Licence is not required on rental boats but is recommended. However, you will need one to operate ski boats and personal watercraft. If you own your own boat it is the law for all operators. Twin Anchors requires all captains to be at least 19 years of age and hold valid drivers’ licences.
LESSON ONE
HOUSEBOATING SAFETY
We want everyone to have fun on their houseboat vacation. However, it is important to remember a few things to keep everyone safe. Never drive your boat with swimmers in the water.
LESSON TWO
STARTING THE HOUSEBOAT
The throttle has forward, neutral and reverse. To steer from up top, place the throttle in neutral at the helm, then upstairs, press the control button on the throttle here.
LESSON THREE
NAVIGATING
The throttle has forward, neutral and reverse. To steer from up top, place the throttle in neutral at the helm, then upstairs, press the control button on the throttle here.
LESSON FOUR
RADIO OPERATION
LESSON FIVE
STORM PROCEDURE
What to do during a storm? Being in a storm on a houseboat can seem scary and stressful, but the boats are built strong and they won’t sink. Follow these instructions to ensure your boat isn’t damaged and you stay straight on the beach if you are already parked there.
LESSON SIX
DRIVING FROM THE TOP DECK
How to drive from the top deck on your Twin Anchors Houseboat. Ensure you are only driving from the top deck in open water and all crew are onboard before starting the boat. More information about driving from the top deck is located in the operation manual onboard the boat.
LESSON SEVEN
CO, PROPANE, GAS, LOW VOLTAGE DETECTORS
Onboard all Twin Anchor Houseboats there are Carbon Monoxide, Propane Gas, and Low voltage detectors which have different functions as described in the video. Don’t be alarmed if any of these go off during your vacation. This video will help better understand why each alarm might go off during your trip. In the manual onboard there is full instructions on these detectors as well.
LESSON EIGHT
FUEL TRANSFER PROCEDURE
How to Transfer Fuel onboard your Twin Anchors Houseboat. Ensure your engine and generator are both off before transferring fuel. Fuel Transfer steps are also included in your operation manual.
LESSON NINE
RETURN TO DOCK PROCEDURE
How to return to dock at the end of your vacation. Includes a checklist at the end of the video to help your return to dock as quick and efficient as possible. There are also instructions in the operation manual onboard to guide you through the return process.
LESSON TEN
HOT TUB FILL, DRAIN & HEAT PROCEDURE
This video will assist you with draining your hot tub, filling the hot tub and finally how to heat the hot tub. The hot tub is a common spot some people have issues so we also have a hot tub troubleshooting video.
Easiest thing for the hot tub is to follow the steps in the video or the instructions in the operations manual in order to be able to use the hot tub whenever you or your crew wants too.
LESSON ELEVEN
HOT TUB TROUBLE SHOOTING
Hot tub troubleshooting is something some people will have to do during their trip if the hot tub runs into problems. This video will go over different problems and solutions to get your hot tub working again. In the video it will go over how to get the hot tub filling if it won’t. How to get it heating with a large array of troubleshooting tips depending on the situation in the hot tub. This video pair with the instructions in the operation manual is the easiest way to troubleshoot the problems with your hot tub.
LESSON TWELVE
THE THRONE ROOM
How does the bathroom operate on a houseboat? Keep it simple – and use only the toilet paper provided!
LESSON THIRTEEN
THE STEAM SHOWER
Enjoy these beautiful spa-like showers on the CruiseCraft 5 & 6 houseboats!
LESSON FOURTEEN
WATER PUMP AIRLOCK PROCEDURE
If you end up with an air-locked water pump(s) by driving with the water pump on, you may need to follow this procedure to get water going throughout the houseboat again. This process should be paired with the manual onboard to ensure it is done correctly. After removing the airlock ensure you TURN OFF your water pump breakers well driving. Full instructions are located in the manual.
HOUSEBOAT BREAKER PANELS
CRUISECRAFT 1 BREAKER PANEL
Full description of the CC breaker panel, including how to start/stop your generator and inverter panel/charging the boat. Learn how to operate your breaker panel/generator/inverter panel and enjoy everything your boat has to offer. There are also instructions located in the operations manual onboard.
CRUISECRAFT 2 BREAKER PANEL
Full description of the CC2 breaker panel, including how to start/stop your generator and inverter panel/charging the boat. Learn how to operate your breaker panel/generator/inverter panel and enjoy everything your boat has to offer. There are also instructions located in the operations manual onboard.
CRUISECRAFT 3 BREAKER PANEL
Full description of the CC3 breaker panel, including how to start/stop your generator and inverter panel/charging the boat. Learn how to operate your breaker panel/generator/inverter panel and enjoy everything your boat has to offer. There are also instructions located in the operations manual onboard.
CRUISECRAFT 4 BREAKER PANEL
Full description of the CC4 breaker panel, including how to start/stop your generator and inverter panel/charging the boat. Learn how to operate your breaker panel/generator/inverter panel and enjoy everything your boat has to offer. There are also instructions located in the operations manual onboard.
CRUISECRAFT 5 LOWER BREAKER PANEL
Full description of the CC3 breaker panel, including how to start/stop your generator and inverter panel/charging the boat. Learn how to operate your breaker panel/generator/inverter panel and enjoy everything your boat has to offer. There are also instructions located in the operations manual onboard.
CRUISECRAFT 5 UPPER BREAKER PANEL
Full description of the CC5 upper breaker panel, including how to start/stop your generator (located on the CC5 lower breaker panel video) and inverter panel/charging the boat. Learn how to operate your breaker panel/inverter panel/hot tub and enjoy everything your boat has to offer. There are also instructions located in the operations manual onboard.
CRUISECRAFT 6 BREAKER PANEL
Full description of the CCVI breaker panel, including how to start/stop your generator and inverter panel/charging the boat. Learn how to operate your breaker panel/generator/inverter panel and enjoy everything your boat has to offer. There are also instructions in the operating manual located onboard.
GENESIS 60 BREAKER PANEL
Full description of the Genesis 60 breaker panel, including how to start/stop your generator and inverter panel/charging the boat. Learn how to operate your breaker panel/generator/inverter panel and enjoy everything your boat has to offer. There are also instructions located in the operations manual onboard.
GENESIS 70/75 BREAKER PANEL
Full description of the Genesis 70/75 breaker panel, including how to start/stop your generator and inverter panel/charging the boat. Learn how to operate your breaker panel/generator/inverter panel and enjoy everything your boat has to offer. There are also instructions located in the operations manual onboard.
LEGACY 94 BREAKER PANEL
Full description of the Legacy 94 breaker panel, including how to start/stop your generator and inverter panel/charging the boat. Learn how to operate your breaker panel/generator/inverter panel and enjoy everything your boat has to offer. There are also instructions located in the operations manual onboard.
