This all depends on where you’re taking the houseboat. If you’re going down a little river, then you can likely do it on your own. But if you’re going through rugged terrain then you might want someone with experience on board. It’s worth noting that there are only so many beds on a houseboat and a captain will take up space. Some houseboats don’t even offer the option. We do recommend learning how to drive one before leaving. You have to be able to know how to recognize shallow water.