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What is a Houseboat?
A house boat is exactly what it describes; it’s a floating home that is built to exist on the water. Typically, boats of this type are moored on a river or a canal so there is less movement and more stability. Often, houseboats are not built sturdy enough to cross oceans, however, they still provide excellent access to water. You should live in a houseboat if you want continuous and direct access to the water and enjoy sea views. Some of the top house boat brands to look at are Gibson, Harbour Master and Stardust Cruisers.
What are the Best Houseboat Brands?
There are a wide variety of house boats for sale on the market today. Some of the manufactured houseboat builders to consider when reviewing houseboat listings are:
- Adonia Yachts
- Bravada Yachts
- Catamaran Cruisers
- Gibson
- Harbor Master
- Stardust Cruisers
Floating homes can offer you a completely new way to live and strike a balance between work and play. Living aboard full-time puts you in control to leave the dock any time and enjoy the views of some of the houseboat capitals of the world, stunning lake views like those founds at Lake Powell and Lake Cumberland, or enjoy some of our historical National Parks.
Can you Live Permanently on a Houseboat?
Yes, you can live permanently on a houseboat. Many people decide to make the move to a house boat permanently to either downsize, live a more minimalist lifestyle, or to avoid high rent and mortgage rates, and property taxes. Imagine leaving the dock of your floating home and visiting beautiful places like Lake Powell or Lake Cumberland, or even some of the most stunning National Parks (where boating is allowed). Just bear in mind you may not have air conditioning or heating and will have much smaller living spaces so there are some important things to think about.
There are a wide variety of things to consider when living aboard full-time:
Safety
From pets to children, please ensure you have taken all safety precautions into consideration before making the move. Not only does this include those who are living with you, but safely storing mechanical items, and fuel tanks (especially when children or pets are present) will make sure your time onboard is as safe as can be.
Mooring
Where will you live permanently? Will you pay mooring fees at a marina or opt to leave the dock and cruise from port to port?
Insurance
Your rates may change if living abord full time on your houseboat.
Adjustments
Living on a houseboat permanently will be an adjustment so consider all the things you will be giving up or need to adjust to – smaller living spaces, no permanent address, harder to get mail and deliveries, and weathering the seasons onboard are a few of the top things to think about.
Is it Cheaper to Live on a Houseboat?
Technically, yes, it’s cheaper to live on a house boat than in a house. This is one of the main driving factors why people choose to relocate to a houseboat – high mortgage prices, housing costs, and even property taxes in certain cities. For example, a Stardust Cruiser has a starting price of around $100,000 on the brokerage market, compared to many starter homes costing three times that on average. However, it’s important to keep in mind that, unlike real estate, houseboats (like all boats and yachts) will usually depreciate so you won’t benefit from a good return on your investment like you would with a house.
And while you may not have to pay property taxes, you will still have to pay mooring or dockage fees and maintenance on the houseboat. Houseboat listings will usually not come with a dock location (although this may be different in some of the houseboat capitals of the world where it is much more commonplace to live onboard year-round).
Why consider buying a used Houseboat?
Many people like used houseboats for sale due to the comfortable living conditions, while also being able to spend time on the water. While they may not be a high powered as motor yachts or sailing yachts, they will provide home-like amenities, all while floating on water!
What are the key factors to consider when buying a used Houseboat?
Before buying a used houseboat for sale, you’ll want to think about the following:
- Am I ok with a boat that doesn’t move as fast as others?
- Do I want a boat that I can do water sports behind? Or cross an ocean with? If so, a houseboat isn’t for you
- What is my budget for a used houseboat for sale?
- Do I want a small houseboat or larger houseboat?
- Do I want to live onboard your houseboat full-time or just overnight stays now and then?
- Do I have pets or children to consider? Will there be space for them and is the boat safe for them to walk around and live on?
What are the different types of small Houseboat available?
There are a few different types of small houseboats you might discover when searching the brokerage market for small houseboats. These include:
- Pontoon houseboats
- Canal style houseboats
- Barge houseboats
- River houseboats
- Catamaran houseboats
- Floating home houseboats
- Superyachts – while they may not be small, given their size, but of course you could make it your permanent houseboat!
What are the Cons of Living on a Houseboat?
It’s no surprise that living aboard full-time isn’t for everyone. Some of the cons to living onboard permanently include:
Cramped quarters
Houseboats offer much smaller living spaces than most houses and apartments even. From the bedrooms to the kitchen and common areas, there will be less space for those of you living onboard.
No permanent address
Whether it’s getting your mail delivered to you or putting down roots; these things will be harder to achieve living onboard a houseboat full–time.
Weather considerations
Weathering the climate when living at sea isn’t always easy. From storms, to dampness, no air conditioning in summer, and even heat in colder weather depending on where you decide to anchor, are made a little more difficult when living on a boat.
Storage
Where will you keep all of your things? And those items necessary on a boat (ex. fuel tanks, spare parts, electrical items)?
Where are the Best Places to Live on a Houseboat?
There are a wide variety of popular places to live on a houseboat, and even year-round. London, UK and the Netherlands, can be considered the houseboat capitals of the world, where you’ll see houseboats and canal boats tied up year-round. Further abroad, places like Australia and New Zealand are great for those looking for more temperate climates. While in the U.S. and Canada, some of the most popular locations to live on a houseboat are California, Washington, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Maryland, Kentucky, Lake Powell, Lake Cumberland and Vancouver – are all excellent places to find manufactured houseboat listings for sale and enjoy life on your floating home.
When looking for the perfect place to live on a houseboat, ask yourself whether being close to certain amenities is important – how often will you need provisions like food and to refill your fuel tanks? Is being close to a place of natural beauty or National Parks a top priority for you? Will you live some place hot and require air conditioning added onto the vessel? Or will you be somewhere cooler and need to consider heating options?
YATCO.com has a number of manufactured houseboats for sale around the world, so please enjoy the houseboat listings you see here to start your search.
