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DID YOU KNOW....

Barges pay a user tax of 20 cents per gallon of fuel. This money is deposited in the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF) at the U.S. Treasury. The money is then used to pay 50% of improvements to the waterways. Taxpayers pay the remaining amount.

The .20 per gallon tax generates about $100 million dollars per year and $15 million in interest. Source: tenntom.org

An average of 175 million tons of freight are shipped each year on the Upper Mississippi.

To learn more check out our
River Trivia page


CUSTOMER COMMENTS

Huck,

I wanted to drop you a quick note of thanks. Our trip was great, and your staff was AWESOME! The training cruise and orientation to the boat were both extremely valuable.

As you know, a fairly strong thunderstorm blew into the area during our trip. Tim's expert teaching and advice paid off, as was evidenced by the fact that the boat hardly moved, and the anchors held firm (we saw a few other boats that had shifted!)

Thanks again, and please pass along my thanks to all of your staff for all of their hard work. You all work for a world class organization, and should be proud!

Sincerely,

David Kees. via email To learn more check out our
Customer Comments Page


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many people will the houseboats sleep?
Who will captain our boat?
Do you give a training cruise?
Do we need to have boating experience?
How much fresh water do the boats carry?
How much fuel is on board?
How much does gas cost on the river?
Are the boats heated / air conditioned?
What time is departure?
Can we board the evening before departure?
What time do we have to return the boat at the end of our vacation?
What is the best time of year for fishing?
What is the best time for a fall color cruise?
Which is the best direction to travel, north or south?
Do you have marine radios on the boats?
Do you have cruising limits?
What sizes are your boats?
How old are your boats?
What if we get lost?
Will we have navigation maps?
Is the fishing good on the Mississippi?
Can we tow a fishing boat or jet ski?
What type of fish will I catch on the Mississippi?
What fishing license should we use, Wisconsin or Minnesota?
What is a wing dam?
Do we have to pay to go through a lock and dam?
How long does it take to go through a lock?
Is the river safe to swim in?
Can we stop at any beach we want?
Can we bring along a boat or jet ski?
Do your boats have a water slide?
Do your boats have a flybridge?
How far can we cruise?
How fast does the boat go?
Are there restaurants along the way?
What if it rains?
Does the boat have a sundeck?

Q. How many people will the houseboats sleep?

A. Each of our Executive, Royal and Presidential Series houseboats are designed to sleep ten, the Trump Series is designed to sleep fourteen. The legal limit for occupancy while underway (per Coast Guard rule) is twelve. Those groups who wish to bring twelve people on the Executive, Royal or Presidential Series usually bring a pop up tent and pitch it on the sundeck or on a beach. There is an additional charge of $50 per person over ten. This is a one time charge, not per day. I.E. $50 extra for eleven people, $100 extra for twelve.

Q. Who will captain our boat?

A. You will be the captain of your own boat. But we don't just put you on the boat and expect you to take it on the water. We will provide a comprehensive training cruise.

Q. Do you give a training cruise?

A. Yes, each of our guests receive a training cruise. We will take you to a beach downriver to practice beaching the boat. On the way downriver we will teach you about the navigation markers, wing dams, locks and dams, operating near barges, proper use of the marine radio and river etiquette. When we reach the beach we will instruct you on the proper technique for beach approach and anchorage. Once you have successfully approached and anchored your boat to the beach you will learn the technique for safely departing the beach. You can expect this training cruise to last about an hour and a half.

Q. Do we need to have boating experience?

A. No, boating experience is not necessary. Only about 25% of our first time customers have boating experience.

Q. How much fresh water do the boats carry?

A. Each boat has a minimum fresh water capacity of 240 gallons, the Presidential Series carries 320 gallons and the Trump Series carries 480 gallons. For many groups this is enough water to last 3 days. Most of our competitors boats carry only 80 gallons. We suggest a slight adjustment in living habits while on board. Usually it is best to limit yourself to one shower per day. However, if you do run out of water you simply go to one of the marinas along the river and get refill.

Q. How much fuel is on board?

A. Each of our boats carries 200 gallons of fuel. The average 3 day trip will use 90 gallons while the average for a four day trip is around 120 gallons. The amount of fuel you use will depend on how much cruising you do and how much you run your generator. The engines will use approximately 1 gallon per mile. The generator will use 1.3 gallons per hour. It is not necessary to have the generator running unless you are cooking or watching TV. The customer is responsible for fuel costs.

Q. How much does gas cost on the river?

A. Gas on the river costs about .40 to .50 cents per gallon more than it does on the highway.

Q. Are the boats heated / air conditioned?

A. Yes, each boat is equipped with central heat and air, we use the same size and type of system that is used in many homes. Some houseboat companies use small, inefficient roof top air conditioners that can't keep up when the temperatures get above 80 degrees. At Huck's your comfort is a priority.

Q. What time is departure?

A. If you are boarding the morning of departure (as opposed to our early boarding option) you can board anytime after 8:30 AM. Training is done on a first come first serve basis. We try to get the first groups out and training by 8:30 AM and the second group by 10:00 AM. Training takes approx. 1 1/2 hours.

For any groups electing to purchase early boarding (boarding the afternoon before departure), boarding time is at 4:30 PM. If you can arrive by 4:30 with all of your groceries and fishing licenses already purchased we will provide your training cruise that evening (provided all maintenance needs are met. If training is accomplished the evening of early boarding, and there is enough daylight left to safely cruise to a beach, we will release the boat and you can spend the first night on the beach. Please be aware that training and spending the first night on the beach are free bonuses we try to provide. We do not in anyway guarantee that this will happen, however it is our goal to give you as much time on the water as possible.

All other houseboat companies on the river will make you stay at the marina the night of early boarding and will give a training cruise in the morning. Our early boarding option puts you on the river 17 hours earlier than any of our competitors.

Please Note: We do not guarantee training the night of Early Boarding but we will do our best to make it happen.

Q. Can we board the evening before departure?

A. Yes, please see the above answer.

Q. What time do we have to return the boat at the end of our vacation?

A. All boats are due back to the marina at 12:00 PM.

Q. What is the best time of year for fishing?

A. Typically the best times are May, June, September and October.

Q. What is the best time for a fall color cruise?

A. The colors become evident towards the second half of September, the color gets better with each passing day. If you vacation during the first two weeks of October you will have the best chance of hitting the peak colors, with the best chance toward the end of the second week.

Q. Which is the best direction to travel, north or south?

A. We recommend heading north, there are more beaches north of La Crosse and the bluffs are right along side the river which adds to the beauty. I do encourage everyone to travel south for at least the first 10 miles. The beaches start at that point and for the next 70 miles north you will find many beaches, if you go more than 10 miles south of La Crosse you will find the beaches to be few. At approximately 8 miles south of La Crosse you will find a fantastic island called "Crater Island" with 70 foot tall hills of sand. The panoramic view on the back side of this island is well worth the hike up the hill.

Crater Island is the perfect place to spend your last night on the river as you will be only an hour from our home port, and since there are no locks between Crater Island and our home port you won't have to worry about whether the locks will delay your return.

Q. Do you have marine radios on the boats?

A. Yes, each boat is equipped with a marine radio, however marine radios are usually good only for a seven to ten mile range, therefore we recommend you bring a cell phone. Our staff carry a cell phone with them at all times and you are welcome to call us anytime you need.

Q. Do you have cruising limits?

A. No, at Huck's we want you to cruise as far as you want, we do however; recommend that your itinerary not be based on seeing how far you can go but rather on experiencing the islands, beaches and river towns. Many customers who have vacationed with us multiple times tell us that they enjoyed their vacation better when they didn't put unreasonable demands on achieving a specific distance.

Q. What sizes are your boats?

A. We have 4 sizes to suit your needs. The smallest is a 15' x 55' Executive Series the next size up is a 15' x 58' which is available in both Executive and Royal Series then we move up to the 16' x 62' Presidential Series. The final size is the 18' x 79' Trump Series which is the largest houseboat on the river.

Q. How old are your boats?

A. We never have a boat that is more than 5 years old. At the start of the 2006 season the average age of our fleet is 2.4 years. Some companies are running boats that are 15 to 20 years old. Since our equipment is new it is more reliable, therefore we are able to provide you with a money back guarantee against lost cruising time due to mechanical failure. No one else in the entire United States offers this guarantee!

Q. What if we get lost?

A. The river runs north and south so those are the only two directions you need to worry about. Since the current always runs south it is very easy to tell north from south. In addition, the river is marked with red and green buoys, red will always be on your right as you travel north. For those who are still skeptical, the Coast Guard maintains a mileage marker system with mileage boards placed every so often. This mileage marker is referenced on the navigation charts that we provide.

Q. Will we have navigation maps?

A. We provide you with Army Corp of Engineer maps. Since the Army Corp of Engineers is responsible for maintaining navigation on the river, these are the most comprehensive and accurate maps available.

Q. Is the fishing good on the Mississippi?

A. Some days you catch a lot of fish, some days you don't. The Upper Mississippi river is an extremely fun and exciting place to fish. Many of the dams provide excellent fishing opportunities as do the many wing dams along the shore and the thousands of acres of back waters.

Q. Can we tow a fishing boat or jet ski?

A. Yes, you can tow up to a 16 foot boat. We have v-bottom fishing boats with 9.9 hp Hondas available for rent if you don't have your own. We also have jet skis available for rent. We provide free towing bars for your boats.

Q. What type of fish will I catch on the Mississippi?

A. There are 212 species of fish in the Upper Mississippi, including Walleye, Northern, Bass, Crappie, Pan fish and Catfish! Lake Pepin, which is basically a wide spot in the river 60 miles to the north of La Crosse, is renowned for its proficiency as a Walleye hatchery, while Lake Onalaska, 6 miles north of La Crosse, is known for its Pan fish. All of these fish swim right past La Crosse.

Q. What fishing license should we use, Wisconsin or Minnesota?

A. The Wisconsin license is preferred. However Wisconsin and Minnesota have a reciprocity agreement, therefore, as long as you stay between the railroad tracks that run along each side of the river you can use either license unless you live in Wisconsin or Minnesota in which case you must have a license from your state.

Q. What is a wing dam?

A. A wing dam is simply a pile of rocks placed in the water by the Army Corp of Engineers to direct the current out to the channel. This helps prevent shoreline erosion and also helps keep the channel from filling in with sediment. A typical wing dam will run from the shoreline to the edge of the navigation channel. The wing dams are usually under the water, although some will protrude above the surface. We will teach you how to tell where the wing dams are on your training cruise.

Q. Do we have to pay to go through a lock and dam?

A. No, lockage is free.

Q. How long does it take to go through a lock?

A. Sometimes the locks are open and ready for you when you arrive, in this instance it will take only approx. 5 minutes to "lock through". If the lock is empty but not ready when you arrive it usually takes 20 minutes or so from start to finish. However, if a full tow of barges is just entering the lock as you arrive you can plan on a minimum of a two hour wait. In these instances it is best to find an island to anchor to and enjoy the beach, cook lunch, explore, hunt for shells, swim, fish or just plain relax.

Q. Is the river safe to swim in?

A. Yes, it is safe to swim in. The best time for swimming are the months of June, July, August and September. With the many sand beaches that line the river, you will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy a swim. To make the swimming even more enjoyable we have provided a water slide on each of our boats.

Q. Can we stop at any beach we want?

A. Yes. All the beaches along the river are public property, and most of our guests spend their nights on the beaches. They are the perfect spot to enjoy a moonlight walk in the sand, or sit around a crackling fire telling stories and eating pudgy pies or S'mores.
Watch just one sunset from these beaches and the river's splendor will be permanently etched on your memory. Of course, these island paradises are the perfect place to spend an afternoon as well. The beautiful sand beaches have something for everyone. From swimming and building sand castles to exploring the woods and discovering what is on the other side of the island. The fun provided by the beaches is limited only by your imagination.

Q. Can we bring along a boat or jet ski?

A. Definitely. You are always welcome to tow watercraft upto 16' in length behind the houseboat. There are literally thousands of acres of backwaters and sloughs waiting to be explored. We do, however, limit the size of a tow-able craft to 16'. We have 16' Aluminum fishing boats w/ Honda 9.9 HP engines and 3-passenger jet skis available for rent.

Q. Do your boats have a water slide?

A. Yes, we are the only company on the river to have waterslides and fly bridges on all of our boats.

Q. Do your boats have a flybridge?


A. Yes, all of our boats have an operational flybridge. This means you can navigate from atop the sundeck as well as from the helm in the cabin. Huck's Houseboat Vacations is the only houseboat company on the Upper Mississippi River to offer an operating flybridge on all boats. When other companies tell you they have a flybridge, be sure to ask if you can actually navigate from it.

Q. How far can we cruise?

A. At Huck's Houseboat Vacations we do not restrict the distance of your travel. You can go as far as you want as long as you return the boat on time. On a four day trip, taking into consideration the locks and all the beaches and river towns to explore, 30 - 40 miles is a comfortable distance.

Q. How fast does the boat go?

A. Seven miles per hour up river and ten miles per hour down river.

Q. Are there restaurants along the way?

A. Yes, for instance, in Trempealeau, WI you will find Ed Sullivan's, a popular area restaurant specializing in Irish cuisine. Since Sullivan's is about 1 1/2 miles from the Trempealeau marina you will need to call Sullivan's and they will send a van to pick you up.
One of my personal favorites is The Historic Trempealeau Hotel, an authentic turn of the century hotel that serves some of the best Belgian waffles with whipped cream and strawberries.

In Winona, MN you'll find Jefferson's Pub, a restaurant located within 1 block of where your boat will be docked. Winona is a large city so you will find many other restaurants within walking distance.

In our home town of La Crosse we have many fine restaurants, the most famous of them being Piggy's. At Piggy's they overlook nothing but the Mississippi.

Also in La Crosse you will find the Flying Carp Cafe and Doc Powell's Pub. These are both highly recommended by Huck. La Crosse is a town of 50,000 people so there are plenty of other good places to eat right nearby.

Q. What if it rains?

A. You will be protected from the rain by your houseboat, summer thunderstorms move in quick and move out almost as quick. So if it rains, wait an hour and it will change.

Q. Does the boat have a sundeck?

A. Yes, the entire roof of the boat is designed to be used as a sundeck. All of our houseboats have a fly bridge and water slide on the sundeck. In addition our Royal Series houseboats also have a hot tub and our Presidentials and Trump Series have a full party top which includes fly bridge water slide, hot tub, wet bar and canopy.