Presented below are frequently asked questions about houseboat rentals and houseboating on Lake Cumberland. If you need additional assistance, please contact us toll-free at 888-454-8824 or click here to submit a request for more guidance. Our friendly and knowledgeable Houseboat Rental Agents are always happy to help.
Jamestown Resort and Marina is accessible from KY-92 east. It is 4 miles south of the city center of Jamestown in Russell County, Kentucky.
From Louisville: Take I-65 south to Elizabethtown, take the Hodgenville exit to Highway 61. Continue on Highway 61 south for approximately 40 miles. In Columbia, turn left at Burkesvile Street (KY-80) and after a mile, turn right at KY-55 South. Turn left onto the Cumberland Parkway East ramp and merge onto Louie B Nunn Cumberland Parkway East (this is a toll road). Continue on the parkway for 13 miles and then take Exit 62 and turn left onto US-127 South. Enter the next roundabout and take the second exit onto KY-92. Continue south on KY-92 for 4 miles to the Jamestown Marina.
From Lexington: Take I-75 south for 45 miles to Exit 62 to Mt Vernon. Merge onto US-25 and continue on to KY-461. After 18 miles, turn right onto KY-80 West. Continue on KY-80 West through Somerset onto Louie B Nunn Cumberland Parkway. (This is a toll road.) Take Exit 62 and turn left onto US-127 South. Enter the next roundabout and take the second exit onto KY-92. Continue south on KY-92 for 4 miles to the Jamestown Marina.
From the North and East: Take Highway 27 South. Turn West (right) onto Highway 90. Follow 90 for approximately 16 miles. At the third traffic light, turn right onto Highway 92. The highway will end at the marina.
From the West and South: Take Highway 90. At the second light, take a left onto Highway 92. The highway will end at the marina.
From Somerset: Take Highway 27 South from Somerset to Burnside. (Alternate route from Highway 80W: Take 914 (bypass) to Highway 27 South. Follow Highway 27 South to Burnside.) Take a right at the end of the Cumberland River Bridge and follow the road (West Lakeshore Drive) around to the marina.
Each model of boat has its own pickup and drop off time: The Explorer can be picked up at 2 pm and is due back by 9 am. The Tranquility can be picked up at 3 pm and is due back by 10 am. The Stargazers and Mystics can be picked up at 4 pm and are due back by 11 am. The 60' Deluxe can be picked up at 1 pm and is due back by 9 am, the Presidential and First Lady can be picked up at 3 pm and are due back by 10 am.
Jamestown Marina:
60-foot Deluxe = 8 person maximum at all times
Presidential and First Lady = 12 person maximum at all times
Burnside and Beaver Creek Marinas:
Explorer and Tranquility = 10 person maximum while moving
Star Gazer and Mystic = 12 person maximum while moving
These 2 marinas allow additional people on board while anchored provided you have an additional small boat to shuttle the extra people
The lake is warm from mid-summer through late fall and pleasantly cool in the shoulder seasons. Winter and early to mid-spring water temperatures are too cold for extended swimming without a wetsuit. View a month-by-month list of temperatures here.
Driving a houseboat is different than driving a car, but is not that difficult. The marina staff will walk you through driving the boat when you pick it up. Most people get the hand of maneuvering the boat within a few minutes.
If you're concerned about your ability to handle the boat, you may arrange for a captain to guide you out of the marina or drive you to a specific destination on the lake.
For the boats departing from Beaver Creek or Burnside Marinas $500 is due at the time of booking, which applies towards your total amount. The remaining amount is due 45 days prior to your trip.
For the boats departing from the Jamestown Marina, a $500 damage deposit is due at the time of booking, the full rental amount is due 45 days prior to your trip.
Give us a call at 888-454-8825, and one of our reservation agents will be happy to check availability for you. It's helpful if you already have an idea of when you want to go and what boat you're most interested in when you call.
Alternatively, you can contact us online with your availability request, and one of our agents will be happy to get back to you with the information you need.
Lake Cumberland is a very popular lake. Some of our boats have been known to book out more than two years in advance. The earlier the better is a good rule to follow, particularly if you have an exact date in mind for your trip, or if you're planning a trip over a holiday weekend.
However, if you're flexible with your dates or the exact houseboat model, we can almost always find a trip for you even a few weeks before hand.
Yes, linens (but no towels) are provided on all boats.
The marina cannot allow pets of any kind. You will need to find alternative accommodations for your pets.
There is a convenience store right at the marina. For all of your grocery needs, the nearest grocery stores (depending on your departure marina) will be found in Jamestown, Burnside or Monticello KY.
The renter needs to be 21 years of age with a valid drivers license.
There is no special license needed to operate our houseboats. There are rules for operating houseboats on the waterways, and we will explain them to you upon your arrival.
Houseboats are on pontoons and there is very little motion. Seasickness is basically unheard of on fresh water.
It is always a good time to go houseboating! Summer is the most popular and busiest season. Fall offers Indian Summer days and cooler nights. Springtime is good for viewing abundant wildflowers, waterfalls, and wildlife. Winter is favorable for the anglers, when fishing is at its best. And the rates are significantly lower between September and May.
Yes! Fishing is a very popular activity on the lake. Largemouth bass, Smallmouth Bass, White Bass, Kentucky Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Catfish, Walleye and Striper Bass are all found in abundance at lake Cumberland. The marina stores sell a good variety of bait and tackle for optimizing your chances of catching fish, whether you're a novice or an expert.
