Kirk and Shirley Kirksey
Kirk and Shirley Kirksey each previously owned a houseboat before setting sail in their 47-foot Gibson houseboat, christened Full House. Before they met and married, Kirk was ready to buy a new houseboat and had his boat on the market; Shirley was looking for a used one. Through that process they found themselves across the dock from each other, and their common interest in houseboating sparked their relationship. Four years later, in 1991, they got married. No longer needing two boats, they launched their life together aboard Full House.
Previously a ski boat owner, Kirk bought his first houseboat in 1980. “Houseboats are no longer slow and clumsy,” he says, “and they provide all-weather boating.”
Shirley emphasizes the comfort that a houseboat provides. “It has space: deck space, a full-size refrigerator, ample storage and even a tub,” she says, pointing out the openness of the living area.
Decorated with neutral colors and a palm tree motif, the Full House has twin 375-horsepower engines and a 10 kilowatt-hour generator that will run everything on the boat.
The Kirkseys spend a lot of time aboard their boat, including most weekends from April through November. Boating during the week has its own appeal, offering a time when river traffic lessens and the lake waters calm. The Full House provides a comfortable setting for celebrations, with Father’s Day weekend among the favorites.
“We enjoy having a place for family to gather – and sometimes the number of out-of-town family members means we get ‘kicked off’ to make room,” Shirley laughs.
An outing for Shirley and Kirk might include a leisurely trip to Fox Cay Restaurant at Island Cove Marina to enjoy dinner for two or a raft-off with other boaters around Harrison Bay State Park.
For longer excursions, the Kirkseys often choose trips up the Little Tennessee or Tellico Rivers. They frequently spend vacations of up to two weeks at Watts Bar Lake. “It’s a nice location with fewer boats,” explains Kirk. As for a favorite destination, Kirk mentions a special slough and then, grinning, says, “That’s a secret!”
The Kirkseys are in agreement about their favorite time of year on the water. “Early October is great,” says Kirk. Shirley adds, “Many people stop boating after Labor Day weekend, but there’s nothing better than those clear blue skies and the beautiful sunsets.”
Out on the water, the pace – 10 to 20 mph – is slow, but as Kirk says, “It’s the trip, not the destination.”
The Kirkseys are a good team, and time at the helm is divided evenly between them as they alternate the roles of first mate and captain. They are members of the Chattanooga Boating Club, where Shirley served as commodore for two terms. “In the early years, the club had only one houseboat,” says Kirk. “Now it’s almost all houseboats.” As much as they enjoy being out on the river, both Kirk and Shirley agree that the camaraderie among other houseboaters at Gold Point Marina is lots of fun. “People walk down the dock to say hello, and before you know it, there’s a spontaneous party happening,” Shirley says.
Marvin and Gretchen Smith
Stepping aboard Marvin and Gretchen Smith’s houseboat, it’s easy to see how the name Marvelous fits. The nod to its owner’s name is clear, but equally obvious is how beautifully appointed the 90-foot Fantasy houseboat is.
Marvin, a lifelong boater, had to talk his wife into the houseboat. The Smiths have owned several boats, but never a houseboat. When it arrived, however, she quickly came around. “It’s so userfriendly,” Gretchen says. “Even when the older kids, Laura and Katie, come home from school and bring everyone they know, we still have plenty of room.”
Rich dark wood and modern décor make this houseboat truly beautiful. At the center of the 80-foot top deck is a spacious bar wrapped around an outdoor kitchen, complete with grill, refrigerator, ice machines, and even a dumbwaiter to decrease trips between the lower kitchen and this expansive entertaining space.
Inside the main level are four bedrooms, three baths, a laundry room, a full-size kitchen, dining and living area, and an indoor helm that rises from the floor. “I enjoy the contrast between our mountain home, built in 1932, and the boat, built just a few years ago,” Gretchen says.
The Smiths were surprised to learn that having a houseboat made boating an activity they could enjoy year-round. They spend many weekends on the lake throughout the year.
The Marvelous is docked at the Chattanooga Yacht Club, but has proven itself water worthy with trips to sister boating clubs in Guntersville, Ala., and Fort Loudon, Tenn. For short rides around Lake Chickamauga, the couple opts for their 22-foot pontoon boat. “If you’re in a hurry,” Marvin says, “you might not want a houseboat.”
The Smiths find their houseboat to be less upkeep than the traditional yachts they’ve owned in the past. Because of its size and design, repairs onboard don’t require special orders or marine mechanics.
Off the stern of the Marvelous, the Smiths have a Sea-Doo, and if you spot the Marvelous on the lake, you might see the Smith’s 10-year-old son Sam and his friends launching into the water off the 10-foot slide. Fishing rods are another Marvelous mainstay.
Camaraderie is a big part of houseboating for the Smiths and their houseboat neighbors, as are family pets. At their dock, the Smith’s swap sugar and lend lines to their neighbors regularly, and Saturday nights look more like family reunions than anything else. “We truly enjoy being together,” says Gretchen.
“When the first houseboat appeared at the yacht club, there were some snickers, but now they’re taken more seriously,” explains Marvin. “With all the comfort and convenience of home without the space limitations of traditional yachts, houseboats have really caught on.”
Buddy and Kim Templeton
For Buddy and Kim Templeton, Caddyshack is not just a movie or a location at Creeks Bend Golf Club; it’s the place they call home for more than half of the year.
The Templetons bought the 80-foot Fantasy custom houseboat four years ago, with the intention of living on it year-round. To accommodate that desire, they converted one of the three bedrooms into a dressing room for Kim. “I wanted to be able to walk off the boat feeling like I wasn’t coming right off the water,” she says. Features like the dressing room, the expanse of windows and the center hallway give a generous feel to the space – a generosity echoed in the joy of sharing Caddyshack with others.
From April to October, the Templetons say friends and family know they are welcome to stop by their slip at Big Ridge Marina for a visit, for the day or even overnight.
“Before going to someone’s house, people expect to call before coming over; here it’s an open-door policy,” Buddy says.
With a large family, as well as the “extended family” they have acquired in the boating community, both Buddy and Kim admit to being social people and enjoying a diverse group of friends. “We love company, but not everyone would be open to that lifestyle,” says Buddy. Kim adds, “You have to have an open heart.”
Almost any reason to celebrate is observed on Caddyshack, especially Father’s Day gatherings and Fourth of July events. “Sometimes we have DJs on the top deck for parties,” says Kim. “The grandkids love the slide and Sea-Doos.”
Four or five times a year, they anchor out for a few days or go on a two-week trip. Kim says she loves summer on the boat, when the weather is hot and the water is warm, while Buddy enjoys turning on a fall football game as part of the fun. Regardless of the time of year, Buddy says, “This is where it’s happening!”
As owner of Creeks Bend Golf Course, Buddy has been in the family golf business since he was 18. Kim works as Creeks Bend’s bookkeeper. Buddy often puts in long days and frequently gets called back into work.
“Knowing that I am only seven minutes away from the boat is great,” Buddy says. “All it takes is a ride on the Sea-Doo after work to completely relieve my stress. I love golf, and I love the boat, so even in the busy season, it’s almost like being on vacation,” he adds. Buddy’s joy and enthusiasm for golf and boating are evident. “I could talk you into buying a boat,” he says, smiling.
The Templetons’ love of this lifestyle runs deep. Because her parents owned lake property, Kim grew up on the water, but even she had some surprises when it came to life on a houseboat.
“I was surprised at the friends you make,” Kim says. “These are close-knit, lifelong friends who really care about you.”
Even at that, a decision to spend so much of their time living on the boat meant adjustments. Kim explains, “This is the lesson I learned: you can live with less and be just as happy.” For Buddy, life on the water offers some peace. “It’s just so relaxing,” he says. “You have to experience it to understand.”
“This is our home,” they both say, with an obvious love for their time on the water.
Whether enjoying the fun of an impromptu party at the dock or taking in the beauty of nature on the river, houseboat owners will tell you that there is nothing like the camaraderie that exists among fellow boaters. They enjoy being on the water throughout the year and have made a life of that leisure. As Marvin Smith states: “It all starts with a love of the water.”