House boat

NOT YOUR TYPICAL HOUSEBOAT: 60 FEET OF FUN!

Photo gallery for NOT YOUR TYPICAL HOUSEBOAT: 60 FEET OF FUN!

A boat deck with lounge chairs, a potted plant, and a view of the marina and beach.
A spacious living area with a large flat-screen TV, a cozy armchair, a dining table with chairs, and a kitchen area with a refrigerator and microwave.
A compact RV kitchen with wooden cabinets, a stove, a sink, and a dishwasher.
A large boat docked at a marina with a covered deck area and an American flag.
A bedroom with a large bed, wooden wardrobe, and a mirror.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • Wake up on the waves
    A rare find — sleep on the water in this unique houseboat stay.
  • At the centre of it all
    Stay in a top rated central location, steps from the best attractions, dining, and entertainment.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Lake Monroe
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry room
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue
  • Balcony

Explore the area

View map
Sanford, FL
  • Place, Lake Monroe
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Historic Downtown Sanford
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, Sanford Museum
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Airport, Orlando, FL (SFB-Orlando Sanford Intl.)
    ‪13 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Salon

1 Double Futon

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Guest Bathroom

Toilet

Master Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

NOT YOUR TYPICAL HOUSEBOAT: 60 FEET OF FUN!


Luxurious 60-foot, 2-story moored houseboat. Brand new mini split a/c system just installed. Accommodates up to 4 people. Flat screen TVs throughout, WiFi, comfy queen-sized beds, and a kitchen with residential appliances and all the tools you need. Permanently docked in a safe, secure marina on scenic Lake Monroe, part of the St. John's River system. Just a short walk to funky art galleries, retail/antique/resale shops, microbreweries, a Belgium beer bar, wine bar, and great restaurants. Take a 5-minute car ride to the Central Florida Zoo and zip line. In 15 minutes you can be at the crystal-clear Blue Springs State Park. You are 45 minutes from Disney and the theme parks. Or just relax up top! PLEASE NOTE: The boat is permanently docked. Guests are NOT permitted to drive the boat. Think of it as a floating/water-top condo. Under no circumstances may guests drive the boat. Garbage must be removed at checkout.

CHECK-IN IS 2PM, CHECK-OUT IS 11AM.
ANY LATE ARRIVAL REQUESTS MUST BE MADE DURING THE INITIAL BOOKING REQUEST, SO THAT PROPER ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE.

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 3–17
Children under 10 are not recommended.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No swimming in the marina. Boat does not leave dock. No smoking anywhere on boat.
Check in is 2PM. Any late arrival request must be made during the initial reservation process.
CHECK-INs are not permitted on these dates: 12/31-1/1, Easter Sunday, Mother's Day, Father's Day, 8/21, 10/19, Thanksgiving, December 10, 12/24-25.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 919455vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Sanford

Located in Sanford, this houseboat is in the city centre and near theme parks. DeBary Hall Historic Site and Thursby House are local landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Lake Mary Farmer's Market and Altamonte Mall. Fort Mellon Park and Wayne Dench Performing Arts Center are also worth visiting. Kayaking and scuba diving offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and ecotours nearby.
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Map
Sanford, FL

What's nearby

  • Lake Monroe - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • The Princess Theater - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Historic Downtown Sanford - 11 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Fort Mellon Park - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Sanford Museum - 12 min walk - 1.0 km

Getting around

  • Sanford Station - 10 min drive
  • DeBary Station - 11 min drive
  • Orlando, FL (SFB-Orlando Sanford Intl.) - 17 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Buster's Bistro - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪The West End Trading Company - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪St Johns River Steak & Seafood - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Bait And Hook - ‬12 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is NOT YOUR TYPICAL HOUSEBOAT: 60 FEET OF FUN! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at NOT YOUR TYPICAL HOUSEBOAT: 60 FEET OF FUN!?

As of 24 Sept 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at NOT YOUR TYPICAL HOUSEBOAT: 60 FEET OF FUN! on 25 Sept 2026 start from AU$1,199, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at NOT YOUR TYPICAL HOUSEBOAT: 60 FEET OF FUN!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at NOT YOUR TYPICAL HOUSEBOAT: 60 FEET OF FUN!?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at NOT YOUR TYPICAL HOUSEBOAT: 60 FEET OF FUN!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is NOT YOUR TYPICAL HOUSEBOAT: 60 FEET OF FUN! located?

Located in the heart of Sanford, this houseboat is steps away from Lake Monroe and St. Johns Rivership. Art Affair Gallery and Jeanine Taylor Folk Art are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 92 out of 103 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 103 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 103 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 103 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 103 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had an amazing stay here and the host was wonderful. Super convenient access to a lovely town with plenty of food , shopping , etc. not to mention the abundance of walking , scenery , calm and wildlife. Wonderful property with anything you could possibly ask for. Absolutely recommend it.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a wonderful time on the boat and in the town of Sanford. Truly recommend
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had the best time aboard the Why Knot! It was exactly as described and such a fun way to celebrate our 49th anniversary! The views from the top deck are amazing and we were able to see a SpaceX rocket as it flew by. Downtown Sanford is beautiful and very welcoming. We especially enjoyed the food and drinks at The Bayou- definitely check them out. We hope to come back again next year and highly recommend this beautiful houseboat and the gracious hosts.Rose and Wayne WilliamsPS- and be sure to plan a visit to the Central Florida Zoo while you’re there and a riverboat dinner cruise.
The sunsets are gorgeous!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The boat is a great place to stay. The beds are soft and comfy. It has all the amenities you could need while being gently rocked to sleep every night. It really is a neat place to stay while being comfortable. The hosts met us and showed us the gate and all the details of what we would need to be comfortable on the boat.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Dec 2025
Thanks for the 5-star review. I'm glad all of you enjoyed your stay.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Really enjoyed our stay

Great location with easy access to town. The houseboat was fantastic!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Definitely a great time.

Everything is close enough to walk to, good night life and restaurants just a few blocks away.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Once in a lifetime

Excellent stay
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great spot!

Will definitely attempt to book here again when I'm in the area. Michael was great and informative with the check in. Place is located in walking distance to places to eat, shop, drink, music, etc. Great place and even got to see some gators and turtles in the water! Thanks!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location.

Right at the downtown area. Easy to get to and walk to places.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful stay

The boat was large, plenty of space. Had everything on board. The marina was amazing! Close to downtown and the zoo. Would highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar 2025
Thanks for taking the time to write such a good review. You were a pleasure to host.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay!!

The was such a relaxing place to stay, beautiful sunsets and city skyline from the top deck!! The houseboat has everything you could possibly need. Walking to distant to Downtown Sanford for shopping and night life, it was perfect!! We will definitely book again ❤️
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Aug 2024
Thanks for your review. We enjoyed meeting you two and hope to see you again.
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique place to stay

It was a great experience. Definitely a need to do at least once. Boat is beautiful and very roomy. Hosts are pleasure to deal with.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Mar 2025
Thank you for your kind review. You were great guests.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Experience

Beautiful view and great location - a quick walk to downtown Sanford. We loved the experience!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

So cool!

We tried something new and it didn’t disappoint! Great host and super cool location.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing and fun boathouse.

The boathouse was well equipped and plenty of games to keep busy. Wood and satellite worked great. A little musty smell but upper deck was wonderful.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sanford

Great
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Houseboating

First time on a houseboat, very interesting and enjoyable. Had gale winds and could feel the boat moving at times, would have been tolerable with proper buoy. All and all it was a nice time, town was just blocks away, and very quaint.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best location in Sanford

Doing business with Michael was a pleasure, and you couldn't ask for a better location for ease of access to bars and restaurants in Sanford. Some noise and some lake smells are to be expected. Toilets are pretty wonky too, but the boat house bathroom is close by. Shower was great - spacious and plenty of hot water for 4 of us.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Weekend

Beautiful home, wonderful sunsets, great little city within walking distance. Two wonderful bedrooms, a nice kitchen and eating area, wonderful family room plenty of televisions and strong wifi. . . then the upper deck is a whole additional experience. Sitting on the deck with a cold glass of wine watching the sunset, beautiful stocked grill to use and wonderful seating area. It was the culmination of a wonderful, restful and peaceful weekend - thank you !
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 18 July 2024
Thanks for your wonderful review. We fell in love the minute we saw the "old girl" and it makes us happy to hear others have the same fond feelings.
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love the Town of Sanford, FL

We are both in our 80's and this lovely houseboat allowed us to enjoy being on a houseboat in the Lake Monroe Marina and being able to just walk 3 blocks to the downtown Sanford. Last night was a magnificent sunset and rise of the full moon. Beautiful. . . Lee & Warren
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique option

The boat was a fun alternative to a house or hotel. The Marina was very peaceful. The boat had lots of room to cook, sleep, hang out. The top deck is large and the perfect place to grill, eat, sunbathe or chill. You can walk all over Sanford from this location. Lots of supplies provided on the boat plus things like humidifier, air purifier, counter ice maker, coffee pot, etc. we really enjoyed the variety of staycation this property offered.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quite unique adventure

Stayed over Christmas to visit family and wanted something fun and different for times when not visiting. This fit the bill. Had a very enjoyable time. Hopefully next time mother nature doesn't send a freeze that way so we can enjoy the awesome top deck. Side note, the bike trail is great and an added bonus.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic break from the norm

Traveled to Orlando for a soccer tournament. Tired of the Orlando tourist trap and wanted to relax so a house boat in Sanford seemed perfect. Helped that the soccer fields they were playing at were there as well.Boat was exactly as described. Beds were comfortable. Full kitchen. The upstairs deck was phenomenal. It was chilly for our trip but had one awesome morning where I could sit in the sun and enjoy the views, sounds and peacefulness that comes on a boat. Sanford is a cool little town. The german restaurant was absolutely worth going to. Open air market was great as well. We bought some delicious dips from a seller and actually packed them into a bag so we could bring them home to VA. Not sure I will be back this way again since soccer child is graduating HS, but the consensus from Eldest daughter and her best friend was the boat was awesome and conducive to some tremendous sleep.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Jan 2025
Thanks for taking the time to write a review. So glad you enjoyed your stay and got to explore Sanford. It was a pleasure meeting and hosting you and "the girls".
Archival

8/10 Good

An adventure on the water!

First, let me comment on the warm welcome we received from Rebecca and Michael. They are the very gracious owners of the houseboat. The houseboat is fully equipped with all you will need for a stay. We love cooking and found the stove, grill and toaster oven all very handy. Florida's weather was not cooperating with my vision of laying in the sun on the spacious, upper deck. Instead, the lake was white-capped and we were rocking and rolling. As long as folks are very aware that this is a boat, you'll be fine. Those who are prone to motion sickness might want to avoid this adventure. Thanks for a lovely stay and very gracious welcome! We appreciated how attuned you were to things we might like to do and enjoyed a couple of terrific hikes while in the area. Thanks again!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2017
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely and unique weekend away

"Why Not" is everything you want in a getaway spot on the water. Great views, great restaurants, Sanford Riverwalk, local parks, boat rentals at the marina, and absolutely great hosts (Michael and Rebecca). The cabin area is comfortable and has every amenity you could want in a vacation home including Dish TV, smart TV, fast WiFi connection, plenty of dishes and cookware, a Kcup w/ lots of coffee and tea selections, and a screened in front porch with dining area. The top deck is absolutely amazing with even more amenities and vacation decor that welcomes you from every angle. You feel like you're on your own private floating condo (well actually, you are!) Ample, covered comfortable seating, firepit, bar, upstairs kitchen (grill, sink, fridge) covered dining table, and open sky sun deck lounge chairs facing west on the very back. There's also a big screen TV. Adaptable from a tranquil paradise to watch the sunset, to a lively atmosphere to enjoy w/ family (especially to watch "the big game" of whatever sport you like!) Great place for a romantic birthday weekend for two, especially during COVID. Looking forward to coming back again! The technical skinny: BUGS: We did not have ANY issues inside or outside Why Not. There is plenty of Off and bug deterrent thoughtfully provided (but we didn't need it) MOTION: You are on a floating boat, but the marina waters were very calm with very little perceptible motion. You will feel slight movement at times, especially on a windy day. BEDS: Master bedroom mattress is extremely comfortable. Fancy pillow top type. Assume the guest bedroom has the same. BATHROOMS: Plenty of clean towels and shower amenities. Shower pressure and temperature were great. If you've never been on a houseboat or RV, the toilet operates differently. Brief tutorial from Michael and you'll be all set. KITCHEN: Outfitted with more than you could ever need. (We only used the grill upstairs one night and the toaster oven, and took advantage of the local restaurants-- plentiful in number and variety.)
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

About the host

Hosted by M Verrastro

Host profile image
Husband and wife team. We purchased this vessel to move to south Florida where we were living at the time. Before we could, we fell in love with the city of Sanford and central Florida and decided to keep the vessel at Monroe Harbour Marina as a weekend getaway. We sold our home in Palm Beach Gardens, FL and moved up to DeLand, FL. After many enjoyable stays with friends on the houseboat, we took their advice and starting renting the Why-Knot so that others could enjoy it too.

Why they chose this property

Hotels are a dime a dozen. If you are looking for a vacation you won't soon forget, with lasting memories, stay with us. Our vessel offers everything you would find at home and then some.

What makes this property unique

Great View. Privacy and safety. You have the entire boat to yourself. No strangers roaming around like you have in a hotel. Gate to dock remains locked at all times. The kitchen contains full-size residential appliances, dishes, glasses, utensils, etc. There is a grill up top for cooking out. Two beach-cruisers are provided to tour the town. Walk or bike to Historic Sanford. Flatscreen TV in every room (3) and up top (1). Comfy queen-size beds (2) and 1 sofa bed. Iron, blow dryers, etc. Just bring your clothes.

Languages:

English

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