Relaxing On The Water

 

An educator from Grass Valley, California who holds a Ph.D. in psychology, Dr. Robert Fettgather serves as an associate faculty in psychology at Mission College in Santa Clara. When not working, Robert Fettgather spends some of his time houseboating. 

Here we consider two points on houseboats-have fun and stay safe!

Houseboating is the use of a boat that is equipped with home amenities while enjoying a getaway on the lake. Several locations in northern California can perfectly accommodate houseboating. Lake Berryessa is one of the largest man-made lakes in California. The Vaca Mountains, the grassy hills that surround the lake, serve as a habitat for diverse species of vegetation, animals, and wildlife like deer, eagles, and hawks. A popular weekend destination for houseboaters, Lake Berryessa lies only 55 miles north of San Francisco. Located just 15 miles from the city of Susanville, Eagle Lake provides the perfect spot for houseboating and trout fishing

Be sure to address safety concerns. Bilge pumps are an important component of most boats. These motorized devices regulate the water levels within the boat. Waterskiing behind a houseboat or swimming and wakeboarding around the houseboat with its engine on is unsafe. The boat's propellers could cause injuries. Although houseboats operate on water, fire outbreaks are still risky. Keeping fire extinguishers, especially those that put out flammable liquid fires, will help prevent flame-induced casualty. Carbon monoxide can be a destructive element in the air inside houseboats. Carbon monoxide detectors warn houseboaters when the gas is in the air. Proper ventilation reduces carbon monoxide in houseboats.