Over the years we’ve spent time with a lot of Bravada houseboat owners, but one of our most memorable adventures was with Scott and Karen Keller aboard their 80-foot beauty on Lake Powell in southern Utah. With kids and grandkids piled on the boat for a week-long vacation, this family not only allowed the Houseboat staff to crash the party, they did an amazing job getting the houseboat in “show shape” so our photographers could showcase the many details.
It was amazing just how quickly we felt like we were part of the family as they treated us well and even invited us to play a round of Frisbee, Keller style. Scott would toss the Frisbee from the top deck as far as he could and family members on a PWC would race across the water to try and catch it.
We ended up staying later than we planned because dinner was great and we were having too much fun to want to leave. The spacious houseboat was truly set up for entertaining so despite a crew of nearly 20 family members that week, there was plenty of room for everyone to spread out and be comfortable.
The cover remains one of our favorites today, even though it dates back to 2013 as it truly captured family time in its highest form. Just seeing the Keller family playing on the back deck with kids (and adults) going down the slide with the beautiful red rock in the background perfectly portrays what the houseboating lifestyle is all about.
Bravada Yachts
Bravada has seen some rapid growth in a short amount of time as they’ve sought to craft exceptional memory-making experiences for families everywhere. In its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Tolleson, Ariz., the manufacturer also offers factory-direct shares on “multi-owner boats,” helping pair up fellow potential boat partners for first-time buyers or those who don’t live on a lake and have to travel to go houseboating just a few times a year.
Factory-direct means buyers will avoid paying traditional mark-up costs added to the purchase price by a re-seller. Since these mark-ups can add up to as much as 20 percent, Bravada’s factory-direct solution means huge savings are passed on to the buyer. Couple that with splitting the costs among five to 10 partners and you can see how easy it is to enjoy what Bravada has coined, “Attainable Luxury.”
Date Founded: 2010
Location: Tolleson, Ariz.
Best-selling Model or Floor Plan: 22' X 75' (3 Levels)
Smallest Houseboat to Date: 16' X 65' (2 Levels)
Largest Houseboat to Date: 24' X 110' (4 Levels)
Hull Design: Full Aluminum Hull
Water Applications: Lakes, Rivers, and Intracoastal
In-house Transportation: Yes
In-house Interior Decorating: Yes
Bravada Yachts
602-233-2628
www.bravadayachts.com