Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Hey guys, I have a 22' Crest superfish and it has a 3/4 enclosure. We were thinking of doing some camping on Dale Hollow this summer and was wondering if any of you camp overnight or longer? We would like to hear from others that have done it. I know enough to have plenty of anchor and anchor line as well as rope to tie up in a cove, but we have never boat camped before. We would sleep on the toon as most of our shores are rocky and not conducive to pulling up on the bank like sand or dirt banks. Thanks up front for any suggestions. Mac

I do it !! Last time we woke up to an 1/8th inch thick layer of frost on the bote,,
got a porta potty? and lots of coffee

I left the front 8 foot open so i can throw up a pop up tent

Yep we got a porta potti with a privacy surround, have a coleman stove for coffee. We are looking at different gas grills and haven't decided yet. We haven't talked to the locals, but I am sure others camp out here. We have 27,000+ acres here with 14 marinas and we want to visit each marina by boat, we may actually rent a slip for a night at some. We are going to treat this as a vacation/expedition as this is our first toon and the first time after retirement that we have had the time to do what we want. Thanks again, Mac

That sounds like an awesome adventure!!

This is our rig for about 300 bucks. Bed works out to be about a full size and is really comfortable.







It Just Does Not Get Any Better!

We slip our boat from May 1 through September 30, and we spend every weekend on the boat. With the full camper, it's no different than sleeping in a tent...except you have the relaxing sound of the water.

If you camp away from a marina, be sure to leave your anchor light on all night. Nav lights should not be on, just the anchor light (the one on the end of the "stinger" on your roof).

Bob G is correct on the anchor light and if you switch out the bulb for LED you don't have to worry about waking up with a dead battery! Not saying I know anything about that you understand

I just put a small 2 person tent on the bow ,great cheap campsite ,about 10 boats stay the night at tices shoal, Barnegat bay NJ ,some day I will upgrade to something more comfortable

Thanks for the anchor light tip, I know to do that here at Dale Hollow. The TWRA have thermal vision and if they see a heat signature off of an engine and no light on it is a $400 or so fine. I am thinking about an emergency light in case of some electrical problem, what do ya'll think of a solar powered light like you put in your yard?

encoreman wrote:Thanks for the anchor light tip, I know to do that here at Dale Hollow. The TWRA have thermal vision and if they see a heat signature off of an engine and no light on it is a $400 or so fine. I am thinking about an emergency light in case of some electrical problem, what do ya'll think of a solar powered light like you put in your yard?

It has to be visible in a 360 degree arc and white. Other than that, an anchorage light can be a very simple affair, so I'd guess a solar light would be ok as long as it stays on throughout the night.


We have a 5 gal bucket, kitchen trash bags and a seat. That and a privacy enclosure gets you a potty at a bare minimum. Line the bucket with a trash bag. When doing a #2, twist the bag a turn or two and then close the lid. Pretty easy to empty the bucket into a trash dumpster when done and eliminates messy handling




For cooking on the boat or just taking along to the lake for a quick easy cooker, I have one of these:



Make coffee, cook bacon, eggs & toast, grill burgers, dogs, brats, or anything else.

It's not a "Large" grill for cooking for dozens of people, but then we're not going to have that many on the boat and grill.

It sets out of the way when on the boat and can be taken along in the pickup bed or car trunk with equal ease.

Nonhyphenamerican
I use the same set up as you for the daily needs. I have found putting a cup of cat litter in after no 2 and then twisting the top really helps keep the smell in check especially if it is extended time before you get to dump site. Sure beats the hell out of hassle with Porta Potty!

We're fortunate to have our 16,000 acre lake in our front yard. Most of those we see camping on our lake are sundowners and yachts cruising the inland waterways--many of which are from the huge marinas 60 miles downriver on Pickwick Lake.

We do see a few hundred long distance cruisers camping locally as the begin the 5000 mile Great Loop of America. Their big meeting is at Joe Wheeler State Park every year.

My wife's idea of camping is our fifth wheel trailer in the North Georgia Mountains with three big screen televisions and air conditioning. We're heading there for Spring Break with the grandkids in 2 days. Some of us do yearn for the simple camping life, however.

I haven't tried it yet and still have the tent but the previous owners cut the floor out of a regular camping tent and attached it to the bimini and rails to make a half decent enclosure for cheap...

That is ingenious!