Want to buy a small houseboat, is a Steury Houseboat a good option?

by Rick
(Ohio)

My wife and I are moving to North Myrtle Beach shortly. We have always dreamed of retiring onto a houseboat and traveling the intercoastal waterway.

An option just presented itself that I had never thought of. Came across an ad for 25' 1976 Steury Houseboat w/trailer that has been completely rebuilt. And it REALLY has been. This presents all kind of new options. It has a trailer, so no wet or dry slip fees. It is an outboard conversion, so no real worries about an open or closed cooling system for the engine or barnacles in the intakes.

My previous target had been a 32'. No kids. Looking at this Steury, it is laid out perfectly for our needs. As far as space, we live in a 500 sq. ft. house now.

I don't see a down side. Oh, and we are going to be living in a mobile home park that is ON the intercoastal.

So, snap me back to reality. This sounds like a perfect fit. Slow travel, with a roof deck and a galley. What am I missing here?

Thanks!


Reply - Answer
Hi Rick, from our perspective, a small trailerable houseboat maybe just what you need. My recommendation would be do have a thorough Marine Survey done to reveal any issues, such as soft stringers, deck, roof etc...

Have a mechanic look over the electrical, mechanical portion of the houseboat, and if everything is good, than you maybe be one step closer to enjoying the intercoastal waterways.

Maybe some of the other reader's will post some comments. Have fun in your new adventures, IAN of www.all-about-houseboats.com