Rebuilding a steel hull houseboat.

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Rebuilding a steel hull houseboat.

by Phil Carker
(Houston, TX, USA)

A popular Steel Hull Houseboat make and model.

I am looking at rebuilding a 40ft steel hull houseboat, and I want to gut it and start new. I'm looking for help and information on all the mechanical systems, I also need a step by step guide, from design to finishing.

I'm very experienced in remodeling work only on land based homes, and I am also mechanically inclined, but I am looking for some guidance.

Thanks Phil.

Reply - Answer
Well Phil, congratulations on your decision to start rebuilding a steel hull houseboat. Unfortunately you didn't give us much basic or technical information on the houseboat, so I can't venture much further.

Now, the best advice I could give you for starters would be to have a qualified marine surveyor have a quick look at the houseboat to be sure that you're not investing time and money into a rebuilding nightmare.

The reason I say this, and I am presuming that it is not a newer boat, you may possibly find it difficult to insure an older steel houseboat that doesn't have a "clean bill of health survey".

There is plenty of houseboat classifieds with older steel houseboats for sale, and I always recommend a qualified marine survey before pursuing a major retrofit.

A survey can give you a great overall view of what amount of time and money is involved in retrofitting a steel hulled houseboat. It can also be the basis for priorities in deciding the bigger and smaller projects. It will be money well spent.

Lastly, hopefully some of our readers will share and post comments about their steel houseboat rebuilding experiences. Feel free to use the "Click here to post comments." link found at the bottom of this page.

Thanks again for sharing, IAN - from www.all-about-houseboats.com

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Comments for
Rebuilding a steel hull houseboat.

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Rating

Lots of good info.
by: Kyle In Vegas

I've got lots of good Info for you. New motors, we got 2 new mercruiser 4.3's with bravo 2 outdrives from a PPT in Stillwater Oklahoma. They have realy good prices.

Walls are easy, we used part of the old design 2x2's or 2x4's flat with either 1/4 or 3/8 plywood on the outside. The siding can be bought at most RV wholesale companies. It's called Filon Siding.

The roof you can make out of 2x6 joists with plywood laminated to the outsides of the 2x6. Just make sure you use a good wood glue and roll it on thick with a paint roller. You should taper the roof joists on the ends or throught the whole joist.

The roof decking is just 3/4 T&G Plywood. Make sure you are buying good exterior rated plywood and DO NOT USE OSB SHEETING. It swells and delaminates easily.

I've got a lot more info if you need it. The most important thing I can tell you is when building a boat, it's not plumb and level.

It is Square and Straight, and boats bend and twist, EVEN METAL hulls. So make sure you have a good reference of how the boat sits when its in the water and make sure it is not twisted when you put it in dry dock.

I hope this helps, Kyle

Rating

Houseboat needs motors, what kind?
by: phil carker

I have this 40' steel hull houseboat that is in really bad shape, it needs re-modeling. I will gut the boat and re-do many areas.

It needs motors ??? what kind ???

It needs new outside walls ??? what kind ???

What is good for upper deck construction ???

Please, need guidance. Phil.

Rating

Beware of older steel houseboats
by: balloongurl@msn.com

We have lived on the water for seven years both summer and winter. We now have a 53 foot Three Buoys houseboat. If I have learned anything over the years it is to be aware of older steel hulls and to always have a survey done on any boat you buy.

It is the best money spent. I have seen many older boats that have had a multitude of problems. The biggest problem that I have seen is with leaking roofs, followed by holes in the hulls. I have seen those people with all their dreams and empty pockets.
So plan your projects wisely. Ciao B

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Rebuilding a steel hull houseboat.

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Comments for Rebuilding a steel hull houseboat.

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Rebuilding a steel hull houseboat.