Living on Floating Home type Houseboats

Living on Floating Home type Houseboats

by Matt
(Bowie, MD, USA)

Are they Floating Homes, or Barge Style Houseboats?

I've seen house-like homes built on houseboat pontoon decks. Are there any considerations to building these regarding their ability to actually travel on water? Or is the fact that they look like houses just an aesthetic thing?

Reply - Answer
Great question Matt, since these Floating Home Houseboats are starting to appear in more and more areas because of the price of waterfront properties.

You will find that many of them are "non-motorized" and strictly stationary style houseboats. When you factor in the cost of an engine(s), transom assembly, steering & throttle controls, fuel tanks, navigation lights etc..., many people decide to just use a "tow boat" to move it to it location and use a small boat for personal day use.

Possibly some of our readers will post comments/pictures of other examples in their areas or marinas.

Hope this all helps...
IAN - from www.all-about-houseboats.com

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Living on Floating Home type Houseboats

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Floating College Dorm!
by: P Talley Floating Creations

hey krys! I am in the process of doing exactly what you are considering. I have a nephew at The University Of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

He is paying more for an apartment then it would cost for me to send one of my floating cabins down there......place it on the Blak Warrior River (0nly minutes from campus) and let him use it until he graduates.

I have already gotten permission from The Core Of Engineers Department in Demopolis, AL, since I am certified as a house boat manufacturer with the US Coast Guard.

I feel sure that when he graduates that there will be a huge waiting list of others who will want to lease or buy my floating cabin down there. My only regret is that I didn't design the interior as a "Roll Tide" theme!

Priscilla Talley
www.floatingcabinhomes.com

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lakefront houseboat
by: krys

I own a 2000 sft home on a 100 acre ski lake in Florida.... owning 2 acres of dry land where the house was built and 9 acres into the lake.

Rather than rent a college dorm, my son thought of the houseboat idea. He will be able to enjoy the lake, sunsets and his freedom! Building a houseboat structure and utilizing the facilities available from the boat dock will be far less expensive than 4 years of rent!

Since it is my land... in and out of the water... will I still require permits, vessel registration, etc etc to follow through with this plan? It is a private access lake... no public ramps... the only activity/access to the water is by home owners.

Any thoughts/feedback would be greatly appreciated!

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Floating home/Houseboat
by: Ben Paratore

Hello all, I own a floating home/houseboat. Its part of a vacation community on the Chattahoochee River near Lake Seminole.

When I first purchased the thing it was difficult getting it registered because "what was it?" Its not a boat because it doesn't have a motor, even though it sits on the water and it's not a house because it sits on the water.

Insurance was a joy trying to get also for the same reason. Well, it all worked out eventually, and of course to the governments advantage because I pay property taxes as though its a house and I have to register it as a boat. Sweet.

But you know, I wouldn't be able to afford water front property any other way. One sunset and you could've charged me a luxury tax as well and I wouldn't of cared. Oh, wait a minute, scratch that.

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We own 2 of the floating homes.
by: Floating Vacation Home Rentals . com

We own 2 floating Homes on Norris Lake, in TN. We rent these out for weekends and vacations. These are stick built homes supported by a floating platform consisting of styrofoam blocks that are encased in plastic tubs.

One home is a 1,700 sq.ft. home with 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. It will sleep 12 adults.

The other is a 2 bedroom 1 bath home that will sleep 8 adults. These homes are anchored to a moor line at one of the marinas.

You need a boat to get to them, but once there you will find city electric, a water purification system, central heat/air, washer/dryer, dishwasher and all the comforts of home.

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My highly mobile floating houseboat cottage
by: Trish & CV

We have a "floating houseboat cottage" that is USCG certified that we have owned at the coast for three years. It easily travels at 10-12 knots on the ICW. It is all-fiberglass on a catamaran platform and drafts ONLY 18 inches. It's wonderful in all seasons.

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floaters
by: Anonymous

damaged floaters are gonna work good!

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Floating cabin Certification
by: P Talley Floating Creations

Yes, if you are on Core Of Engineers Waterways they must be certified by the U.S. Coast Guard as a "Houseboat"......even if they are only floating homes, cabins, etc.

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Where do you start?
by: Anonymous

Do you have to retain a permit or get permission to build a floating cabin if you own river front property?

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Moving your houseboat
by: Ricky Brown

If you are in a hurricane prone area you do not want to count on anyone to move your boat. In my area during a hurricane situation you could not hire a tug at no cost.

The oil field has all boats hired to move their equipment out of harms way. Adding engines is very costly and if the boat was not built for engines it is even less cost effective.

Ricky

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A floating home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
by: Anonymous

We have a floating home in Cedar Rapids, and during the flood of 2008, we lost about 60 of 137 floating homes due to the flood.

The Iowa DNR claims that they are illegal structures, and they have told us we could rebuild but could never sell them. If they get their way this will happen state wide, then nation wide.

We rebuild ours and make preparations for any future floods, but many won't be rebuilt. These have been here for almost a hundered years, but if the DNR gets their way, they will all be gone for good, Everywhere.

Reply - Answer
Hmmm, interesting piece of information, I was unaware of the DNR's point of view on these. Thanks for sharing it.

IAN from www.all-about-houseboats.com

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Houseboat kits
by: Anonymous

I want to build a houseboat as a family project.
Are there houseboat kits available?

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eco-friendly
by: Anonymous

I'm writing a speech about this, and I'm looking for a little more information about how they are so eco-friendly. I've read that they are but need a few more bullet points on that subject. Anyone?

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Fellows-you are correct!
by: Priscilla Talley

My Floating Cabins ARE houseboats.

I am certified by the U.S. Coast guard as a Houseboat manufacturer. I build to Marine code and my "Floaters" do "Have all the stuff needed to be a boat". I also have a determination to build them as "Eco Friendly-Green" as possible.

Our waterways would be in serious trouble if anyone could just build something on the water to live on without all the restrictions, regulations and rules that I have been successful in accomplishing.

I have visited some areas where floating homes have just sat for years and it looks like a floating ghetto!

I am not building floating house trailers.....I want to design and build unique houseboat-cabins-cottages-homes that enhance our beautiful shorelines!

Smiles from Alabama!
Priscilla Talley
pttalley@hiwaay.net
floatingcabinhomes.com

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Barge or Houseboat
by: Dan Pedersen

In Europe, a houseboat is a boat that has motor, lights, and all the other stuff needed too be a boat. It also needs too be able to travel over protected waters.

If not, it's a barge. And barges require licenses to stay in harbor for longer periods. The reason is no one wants houses in the harbor.

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Taxes on Floating Homes
by: Ricky

Be careful when talking about floating homes, in some areas they are subject to taxes just like a home on land. If you are motorized and a registered vessel with numbers it cannot be taxed as of now.

I do know of one case where they tried to tax a houseboat and the owner went to the DA and they dropped the case.

Ricky
Houma, LA

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Floating Cabins & Homes
by: Priscilla Talley

Hello Matt, I am a private builder of Floating Cabins and Homes. I have been in love with the idea for ten years since I saw those in Seattle Washington.....I am now so amazed at how popular they have become just in the past two years!

Mine are not "factory mass produced" but built individually. I can float any style cottage, cabin, home that the buyer wishes!

Can also build the All Aluminum High Quality Floatation system that anyone would need to build their own Homemade Houseboat-Home.

Blessings to you all!
Priscilla Talley
pttalley@hiwaay.net

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Life on a houseboat
by: Gary

I used to live on a "floating home" at Jantzen Beach Moorage in Portland OR almost 25 years ago. Swore I would go back to that lifestyle when I retired. I am now planning on retiring and still have that dream.

It's a very relaxing way of life, and the people are friendlier than the ones living on land. Don't know why but it is just that way. You'll love it....see you down there

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Where to find floaters for houseboat?
by: Paul Mooij

I am busy with a non profit project to build a solar houseboat in St. Maarten and we are looking for used or damaged floaters to build this boat.

We are thinking about a boat of perhaps 20 feet. Does somebody have tips to where to find such floaters? Please contact me on paulmooij@mac.com

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Living on Floating Home type Houseboats

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