HouseBoat Living

[Float On]

I've suddenly found an interest in houseboats. All my time on the kayak I've really been studying boats I pass by.

I know several people who live in them year round here on the lake, even in winter. Granted one doctor's houseboat home is probably a boat that cost over $300,000.00.
I'm thinking I may add this to my list of odd housing situations I'd like to have after the boys leave home. I'd have to give up the chickens and most gardening but oh well....
There are some really nice older ones for sell in the under $40,000 range. Even found one I really like for $22,000.
I checked and one of my favorite docks has slips available for $2,400.00 a year.

Have you or could you live in a house boat?


http://www.tinyhousetalk.com/tracy-m...oot-houseboat/
I like how open and retro this gal's boat is...except her bedroom. I really don't want to crawl into my bedroom.

[awakenedsoul]

I'm sure I could live on a houseboat. The price is certainly right. Especially since you do a lot of kayaking. Could you rent one and see how you like it?

[Selah]

I could live on a houseboat quite happily, but I'd probably have to gut it to make it the way I'd want it. I'm not sure about a canal boat barge, though...one of those long, low ones that are usually very dark and cramped. The floating houses they have in Amsterdam and Seattle, though, are the BOMB!

[Mrs-M]

Looking at the bedroom suite, I immediately started having a hard time breathing. Too enclosed and confined. Aside from my claustrophobia, I could happily live on the water.

[Wildflower]

I wouldn't like to live on the water. Now a tiny cottage overlooking the water would be my ideal, and really my dream for retirement living. I like gardening too much, and having a little land for my critters.

[Mrs-M]

To add, as already mentioned, water-living (for me) would be a part-time adventure.

[Mrs. Hermit]

I retain the unique ability to get sea-sick in a canoe, so no, houseboat living would not work for me at all! Did the RV thing for 3 years with hubby and 4 teens, though. Confined living space, lots of travel--it was fun. Much the same I'd imagine, as houseboating.

[Tussiemussies]

Think it is really neat that some people live on houseboats. Have seen some interesting shows about this on TV, one where they gutted, insulated and redesigned the houseboat. And some others about the design of the houseboats.

Don't think I could do it, but do think that there are some really well-planned houseboats out there that could make for some great living space.

[Spartana]

Look for a simple living book by Janet Luhrs (think it's called "The Simple Living Guide) that features our own Simplygib (who hasn't posted inawhile) and his experience living on a houseboat. I'll see if I can get him to post here about the pros and cons of houseboat living. I lived on a sailboat with ex-DH for awhile and found it to be a cramped but wonderful way to live. BUT... for myself I would prefer RV living instead of boat or house boat living because you can litterally drive off into the sunset to far more places (and with more ease) then on a boat. And boats of any sort can be big money pits. maintenance and dock fees alone can suck up alot of financial resources. An small RV you can park in your driveway and use whenever you want - to go where ever you want - seems more user-friendly to me.

[Float On]

Look for a simple living book by Janet Lures that features our own Simplygib (who hasn't posted inawhile) and his experience living on a houseboat. I'll see if I can get him to post here about the pros and cons of houseboat living. I lived on a sailboat with ex-DH for awhile and found it to be a cramped but wonderful way to live. BUT... for myself I would prefer RV living instead of boat or house boat living because you can litterally drive off into the sunset to far more places (and with more ease) then on a boat. And boats of any sort can be big money pits. maintenance and dock fees alone can suck up alot of financial resources. An small RV you can park in your driveway and use whenever you want - to go where ever you want - seems more user-friendly to me.

I think having a houseboat along with a tiny vintage camper hooked up to my truck in the dock parking lot would be perfect for me (but probably just me....not the husband or rest of the family).