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BURBANK Ben Harris wants people to experience the Columbia and Snake rivers in a new way: on a luxury houseboat provided by his Burbank-based company River Ranch Houseboats.
It'll be a floating home away from home, said Harris, who last year moved from Utah to Burbank, where he was born and raised, to start the new business.
Water, weather and wineries draw tourists and help make the Tri-Cities a destination, he said. His houseboat rentals will help enhance the area's appeal as a place to visit, he said.
Houseboat rentals are popular at several places, including Lake Roosevelt in Washington and Lake Powell on the border between Utah and Arizona, and are considered perfect for a family vacation, Harris said.
To be on the river in a two-story boat that boasts about 1,300 square-feet of space with central heating and air conditioning, ample beds, two bathrooms and one shower is a unique experience, said Harris, who invested about $500,000 in the venture. He said he kept the costs down because he renovated the boats himself.
Each of his three boats, two of which are currently being refurbished by Harris and will be ready by June, also features two flat-screen TVs, full-size electric stove, granite countertops, a barbecue grill, a waterslide and deluxe bed linens and furnishings. The bigger 40-inch high definition TV is hooked to a Blu-ray Disc player.
Each boat can accommodate 12 people, he said. That means the rental costs during the peak season would be about $60 a person for one night, Harris said. His business already has a lot of people excited about the summer, he said.
"We've been getting a lot of calls. It's (something that) hasn't been offered before," Harris said.
Loren Miller, who lives outside of Kennewick in Benton County, booked a houseboat for a weekend rental in August.
"The boat looks spacious, nice. You can also steer the boat from the top deck," said Miller.
The rental also saved the four families a trip to Lake Roosevelt. They will be cruising in a River Ranch houseboat to celebrate his mom's 80th birthday, said Miller, a farmer.
Miller said he's impressed by the amenities and comfort the boat offers. "Kids are really excited about it. It's a good way to keep every one together, entertained, and to have a good time."
For more information about the pricing and bookings, call 877-277-6111 or go to www.riverranchboats.com.
One of the boats is on display at Tim Bush Motors in Richland, adjacent to Interstate 182.
* Pratik Joshi: 509-582-1541; pjoshi@tricityherald.com; Business Beat blog at www.tricityherald.com
