Twin Anchors Houseboat Vacations
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 am - 5 pm
2 reviews for Twin Anchors Houseboat Vacations
2 reviews in English
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Review from Wendy P.
To houseboat or not to houseboat? That shouldn't even be a question! Of course, to houseboat. But where? Why, in the Shuswaps. Isn't that obvious? It's the houseboating capital of Canada... or at least it should be. Now, with who? Well, your friends for one. But a reliable company is what you're after. I've been houseboating with Twin Anchors for the last five years.
I'm pretty sure the first recommendation came from a friend of a friend when we booked our very first boat. There were a crew of 11 of us headed out for a week on a 15 person boat (Cruise Craft II). One night, we were beached at one of the quieter beaches and halfway through the night the wind was strong enough to blow our boat sideways, perpendicular to the shore just about. By the time our captains got to it, we were just about on top of a sand bar. Trying to get out of that, I think we may have bent the propeller. I'm not sure on the details exactly. At any rate, a quick radio into Twin Anchors had a mechanic out to help us as soon as he could get there.
It turned out a week was a bit long to be houseboating (especially when you don't stop to empty the septic tank half way through). The following years we've bumped the trips down to a four-day cruise. Still on Cruise Craft IIs for the last few years. And then an upgrade to the Cruise Craft III this year. I tell ya, that upgrade is worthwhile. Way more sleeping room (it sleeps 22 not 15), a third deck as the sun deck, satellite radio and TV (there was no missing the Riders game for our Saskatchewan guests) and a lounge area plus kitchen and galley. There was plenty of room.
The Twin Anchors staff have a smooth operation going. They know how to get those boats up and loaded as soon as they can, they're super friendly and helpful, and they know their stuff. This year I was a co-captain (I know, scary!). The guy running us through the orientation didn't miss a thing from what I could remember out on the boat. Anything we ran into, he had already covered. Good thing though I've got an alright memory, because there is a bit to keep under your lid!
Thanks for a terrific trip Twin Anchors. Ahoy-hoy until next summer!Listed in: Ideas for a summer vacation
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Review from Brittany W.
North Vancouver, BC
8/7/2011
HOUSEBOATING IN SHUSHWAP
If you enjoy relaxing and drinking on a boat with friends, jetskiing and wakeboarding for cheap, and partying on a beach with pumpin' music, bonfires, fun-loving, beer-in-hand people on an island full of twenty-somethings, put houseboating at Shushwap Lake in BC on your must-do list! It offers an experience designed for young party people living in BC/Alberta. Themed in neon attire, twelve of my closest friends and I partied on our boat and on Nelson beach for 3 days straight. It was one of the most amazing weekends of my life :)
OUR HOUSEBOAT RENTAL
We rented the Cruise Craft II for August Long, and buoy, was that fun! Like most houseboat rentals, it was well-furnished with kitchen essentials, two mini-fridges, a stove/microwave, a TV, and most importantly, a stereo system inside and on the deck with an easy hookup to mp3 players. :)
Renting a boat with friends is so awesome, but overall, I can't say I'd go with Twin Anchors for next time. Even though the quality of the appliances were meh (ie. fridge stopped working for a bit; stove hardly worked = water boil/baking fail) and they falsely marketed the "Penthouse" beds on the website, which is actually a super hot, attic crawl space ... these things were no biggy. What was poorly delivered this weekend was the operations management.
2.5 out of 5 because the experience is a fabulous one and other than the radio guy who made a rude remark when I asked a question, the staff was helpful and kind.
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OPERATIONS: NEEDS 'BIG-TIME' IMPROVEMENT.
Here's why and some suggestions how:
CALL FOR IMPROVEMENT #1: Wait Time Boarding.
We arrived at 1PM for our 2PM boat time and we didn't get a boat until 5:30PM = 3.5 HR WAIT. While waiting at the restaurant on site, they told us this happens ALL THE TIME. Not cool, especially when you arrive early from a 5-hr drive, which is usually the case for most houseboaters coming from Van and Calgary.
CALL FOR IMPROVEMENT #2: Wait Time Docking.
We arrived at 9:30AM to return our boat for a 10AM dock time, and we didn't dock until noon = 2HR WAIT. We called to receive instruction from the radio person who told us to have all our stuff cleared in the front/back of boat, garbage/recycling and our stuff packed and ready to de-board. With 30 mins to go, we quickly prepped everything. 3 boats were before us, and when asking the radio person for a time estimate, he abruptly replied, "After the 3 boats ahead of you dock." A rude response that just further contributes to the major fail in Twin Anchors operations management.
WAIT TIME SUGGESTIONS
A) Work on creating a more effective system--whether it means staggering the boat arrival/departure times, having a couple major dock times, or whatever! I don't know if these are feasible options, but you know how you can improve it best. Let's go, VP Ops!
B) At the very least, communicate better with your customers. Communicate to the house boaters about the wait times, give them some info to keep them cool, and be respectful and courteous in doing so. For example, it's always better to just say, "Hey guys, just wanted to let you know there's going to be a bit of a wait since we're backed up. Apologies, but it'll be about 3 hours. We'll come get your Captain as soon as we have a boat for you. Thanks so much for understanding," rather than not giving any information and letting people stew for a painstaking wait. It takes less than a minute and it's such an easy way to make your customers feel at ease.
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CALL FOR IMPROVEMENT #3: Preparation.
Better prepare your guests with some helpful tools to make your job easier and houseboaters more informed. After a one hour orientation and no hands on experience, houseboat captains are given a map and certified (unofficially) to run with the waves and sail. Totally doable, but it leaves sooo many unanswered q's and a lots of no-brainer q's that are asked over the radio that could (and should) easily be avoided. Not enough general information is provided.
PREPARATION SUGGESTIONS
A) Preparation tools: houseboating notes/tips, general information book or information board. In every houseboat, why not have instructional, general and helpful info available to houseboaters? Ie. a list of docking instructions, how to use the generator guide, list of things in the floating store, commonly asked questions sheet. Trust me, all stakeholders would benefit in this regard (less simple q's over the radio and more informed houseboaters, not just the Caps), AND it only takes writing this info up ONCE.
B) Feedback. Lots of areas of improvement; let us help. Have a feedback/suggestion form or box in every houseboat.
C) Steering. Help the first-time driving Captains out by marking where "straight" is on the steering wheel with a piece of tape. Minor boat bumps can be avoided and your fleet will be kept in better shape for longerComment from Penny H. of Twin Anchors Houseboat Vacations 9/21/2011
Thanks for the suggestions Brittany, we apologize for the… More »
Specialties
Enjoy a luxurious houseboat vacation on Shuswap Lake in Sicamous British Columbia. We have 6 different types of houseboats to choose from, and we offer them for 3, 4 or 7 nights during the peak season. The season starts in April and ends in October. Some of our houseboats are equipped with fireplaces, and hot tubs therefore it is easy to enjoy the experience in the earlier and later part of summer.
Visit our website at www.twinanchors.com do a virtual tour or simply give us a call toll free at 1-800-663-4026 and we will answer any of your questions.
History
Established in 1977
The business is owned and operated by the Kyllo family, who manufacture houseboats for other rental companies in North America.
