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HOuter Banks One of the many beauties of the Crystal Coast area of North Carolina is the amount of unspoiled coastline awaiting exploration. More than 55 miles of quiet coastal islands, maritime forests, and beaches make up the Cape Lookout National Seashore—and exploring the vast area (including the famed Cape Lookout lighthouse) by day is a favorite memory for many visitors. Those in the know don’t have to come back to civilization as the sun sets, however. If you’ve rented a houseboat for the weekend, you’re already “home” for the night. Outer Banks Houseboats, a unique company based on Beaufort’s waterfront, offers a great way to spend a weekend along the quietest stretch of coastline in North Carolina. Whether it’s a romantic weekend for two or a huge gathering of family and friends, these well-appointed houseboats will lead to memories that will last you a lifetime. At Home On The Water “My family had a houseboat when I was growing up in Morehead City and I still have fond memories of weekends spent on it,” says personable Outer Banks Houseboats owner Perry Barrow. “It’s hard to beat spending the night out along Cape Lookout.” Barrow, who has owned and operated Outer Banks Ferry Service for more than 15 years, started offering houseboat rentals in 2003. After a successful first season, he added a second larger houseboat in 2004. “Quite simply, my ferry customers were looking for a way to stay out at Cape Lookout, rather than having to take the ferry 22 Houseboatmagazine.com OUSEBOATS Exploring North Carolina’s pristine coastline By Lynn and Cele Seldon back at the end of the day,” he recalls. Ferry service manager Cindy Smith concurs, saying that many people are introduced to Cape Lookout through the ferry service out to nearby islands and then decide to rent a houseboat for a longer stay. The advantages of enjoying the Crystal Coast by houseboat are many and can vary depending on who’s along for the ride and what you want to do once you anchor. Outer Banks Houseboats will deliver, anchor, and pick up the houseboat. You need to unpack only once, and you’ll have ample oppor- tunities for independent exploration (each houseboat rental comes with a 21-foot Carolina Skiff). When everyone else has to head back to land, you can eat in or, if you prefer, head to an area restaurant before spending the night on the water. Whether it’s for a weekend or longer, the setup for the start of a houseboat adventure is the same. The houseboat is docked right on the charming Beaufort waterfront at Bar- row’s Outer Banks Ferry Service and, after loading provisions, Barrow or an experienced employee provides a briefing of the houseboat’s operations (you’ll quickly learn that everything is quite intuitive). Take It Easy The first question many people ask is whether they have to drive the rather large houseboat and the answer is a definitive “no.” Barrow or another captain typically pilots the houseboat to the anchorage of choice—a factor that depends on the wind and waves, as well as desired pursuits once anchored. One or more of the houseboat renters then follows in the Carolina Skiff, providing the perfect oppor- tunity to practice piloting the easy-to-operate skiff and also a general “map” of how to get back to Beaufort in the skiff, if desired. There are several great restaurants on the town’s waterfront, as well as shopping and the excellent North Caro- lina Maritime Museum, so you may indeed want to make the trip. Some renters choose to leave the houseboat at Barrow’s dock for one or more of their rental nights to better enjoy a special event or Beaufort nightlife. However, most head out to quieter anchorages. Guests staying more than two nights will get a short visit from Barrow or one of his staff to check on gas, propane, and holding tanks (renters only pay for the gas, oil, and propane they use on the houseboat and skiff).