Birch Lake Series

The 52’ Otter Houseboat

The "Reunion Headquarters"

Sleeps up to 12

If you are the one organizing the family reunion, the church group outing, or the multi-family vacation, stop looking. You have found your ship.

The Otter is the largest vessel in our fleet at 52 feet. It is a "Wide Body" design, meaning it feels less like a boat and more like a floating condo. But the real headline here isn't just the size—it’s the logistics. With an incredible sleeping configuration and the holy grail of houseboat features (Two Bathrooms!), this boat was built to host a crowd without the crowd feeling crowded.

The Details

The Main Salon (The Great Room): Step inside the sliding glass doors and you’ll immediately feel the difference in width. This isn't a narrow hallway; it’s a proper living room.

  • The Dining Hall: In the center, a large dining table anchors the room, ready for family-style dinners or epic board game tournaments.

  • The Lounge: To your left (Port), a large Day Bed offers sofa seating that converts to sleeping space. To your right (Starboard), an entertainment area with a TV—perfect for keeping the kids occupied while the adults cook.

The Galley (Feeding the Army): Feeding a large crew requires real tools. The U-shaped galley on the starboard side is equipped with a full-size refrigerator/freezer, a residential stove/oven, and expansive counter space. You can prep a spaghetti dinner for twelve people here without elbowing your sous-chef.

The "Barracks" (Unmatched Sleeping Capacity): Moving down the extra-wide hallway, we find the most impressive sleeping layout in the fleet. The Otter is designed to stack people comfortably.

  • Port Side (The Double Suites): On the left wall, you have two separate alcoves. Each contains a set of Over/Under Double Bunks. That is four double beds just on this side of the boat. Adults can sleep here comfortably without feeling cramped.

  • Starboard Aft (The Scout Bunks): Tucked into the rear right corner is a set of Over/Under Single Bunks. These are perfect for the kids or the solo travelers in the group.

The "Traffic Jam" Solution (Two Bathrooms!): Here is the feature that will make you the hero of the trip. The Otter features a unique split-bathroom configuration on the starboard side designed to eliminate morning lines.

  • The Setup: You have two separate toilet compartments and a separate shower room. This means three people can be using the facilities simultaneously. When you have a boat full of people trying to get ready for a morning of fishing, this design is an absolute lifesaver.

The Upper Deck (The Party Platform): Head out the back door, past the swim ladder, and up the spiral staircase. The roof of the Otter is massive. It runs nearly the full length of the 52-foot vessel.

  • The Penthouse: This is your sunbathing deck, your dance floor, and your observation tower.

  • The Slide: And of course, the signature water slide creates an instant splash zone off the back.

Reserve HB06

Common Questions

[ FAQ ]

  • The difference is Capacity vs. Comfort.

    • The 50’ Beaver is designed for adult comfort (Queen beds, private staterooms).

    • The 52’ Otter is designed for maximum capacity. It sleeps up to 12 people by utilizing a unique "Barracks" layout of double and single bunks.

    • Verdict: If you are a group of 3-4 couples, take the Beaver. If you are a massive family reunion with 6 adults and 6 cousins who need to pile in, you absolutely need the Otter.

  • Yes, and this is the specific reason the Otter is our first boat to sell out every year. The Otter features a split-bathroom design: two separate toilet compartments and a separate shower room. This means three people can use the facilities at the same time. If you have ever tried to get 12 people ready for a fishing trip with only one bathroom (like on the 44’ Getaway), you know that this feature alone is worth the upgrade.

  • We call it the "Double-Double" layout. Unlike the other boats that rely heavily on convertible sofas, the Otter has a massive amount of permanent sleeping space.

    • The "Suites": Two alcoves each containing Over/Under Double Bunks (that’s 4 double beds).

    • The "Scout Bunks": A separate set of Over/Under Single Bunks in the back.

    • The Overflow: A convertible daybed in the salon. It allows you to stack a lot of bodies comfortably without everyone sleeping on the floor.

  • It is big, but it is gentle. It shares the same "Wide Body" pontoon hull as the Beaver, which makes it very stable in the water. Because of its size, you just have to take your time. You will want a "spotter" on the back deck and the front deck when maneuvering in the harbor, but once you are on the open lake, it cruises just like the smaller boats.

  • Yes. Like the Beaver, the Otter is part of our Birch Lake (Luxury) Series, which means it has a built-in generator. You don't need to mess with a portable Honda generator on the back deck. You have on-demand 110v power for the microwave, coffee maker, and charging all the iPads that a group of 12 inevitably brings along.

  • We designed the galley specifically for "feeding the army." It features a U-shaped layout with residential-sized appliances, including a large fridge and freezer. You can actually have two people cooking at the same time without bumping into each other. Plus, the dining table is central to the action, so the cooks aren't isolated from the party.

  • Yes, and with a group this size, we highly recommend it. While the Otter is your "Mothership" for sleeping and eating, you will want a runabout or fishing boat to take small groups out for waterskiing or walleye fishing while the rest of the crew hangs out on the Otter's massive upper sun deck.