Expandable Trailerable Pontoon Houseboat

by GARY SEVERN
(VENICE FLORIDA USA)

I designed a Trailerable Houseboat that expands out to 12 feet wide from 8 feet wide. It's basically 3 units, 2 outside units and one center unit.

From the open 12 foot position, the two outside units slide toward one another 2 feet inward on each side until the width becomes 8 feet wide. The pontoons are fastened to the outer units in a fixed position giving the pontoon boat a very stable ride at 12 feet.

The outside units can be moved inward or outward using my patented hydro/electric system. Four simple pins lock everything into position. This is all accomplished in the water prior to loading the boat back onto the trailer.

The overall length can vary from 24 feet to 40 feet. It has 3 foot collapsible side decks with handrails the full length of each side of the boat making the boat 15 or 18 feet wide. (One side can be up when docking on that side).

The top deck is also fitted with a collapsible safety railing system. A collapsible Bimini can easily be raised up on the top deck for sun protection.

The interior has almost everything attached to the outside units so they can freely move in and out without having to detach something to allow expanding.

Powered with two outboard motors (one inboard of each pontoon). The trailer is designed to allow the boat to expand out when using the boat as a Travel Trailer.

All this works similar to 'Expanders/Sliders' on RV Trailers and Motor Homes.

So, what do you think? Want to build one?? Know someone that would like to build it??
Let me know. Thanks for letting me share.

Reply - Answer
What a great post Gary, sounds like an interesting project. If you're able to send some pictures, I would upload them here, since a picture is worth a thousand words.

IAN - from www.all-about-houseboats.com