Build or Buy a Small Pontoon Floating Houseboat?

by Roger
(Ontario)

I'm wondering if I should Build or Buy a small pontoon floating houseboat? I was thinking about replacing a small on shore cabin with a 20-30ft pontoon floating houseboat that would be permanently moored in the bay on the shore of my property.

I would have to lift or pull out the houseboat out of the water for winter because it freezes up. I'm not interested in motors and all the other equipment that goes with a navigable boat, since it will only be in the bay.

I guess what I am looking for might be called a trailer on pontoons. Are such house boats available, should I build one, or should I look for used one with a blown motor?

How would one pump out waste water holding tanks to a land based septic system?

Any advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your time, and your site rocks.

Thanks, Roger.

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Reply - Answer
Well Roger, congratulations on your decision to get a cabin style houseboat.

If I was to make my recommendations, you have at least three possibilities depending on your budget, time and skill level.

1) Do you build a small pontoon style houseboat?
For this I would start by ready our houseboat building plans section. It has all the info to help you on deciding, building, planning, and also has houseboat plans.

2) Do you buy a new, ready to use, floating cabin houseboat?
If I was to buy a new, ready to use one, my first choice would be to go to floatingcabinhomes, since they build great quality floating cabins. Speak to Priscilla, she'll take good care of you, and tell her that I sent you.

3) Do you search and buy a used pontoon houseboat, and convert it for your use?
If you're considering buying a used one and converting it for your needs, than the houseboats for sale section is where I'd start. It has all the info to help you find a used houseboat.

As to answer your last question about how to pump out the holding tank waste, you will find that there is "portable waste tank removal equipment" available. That's what many marinas presently do in order to go and empty their clients tanks.



And lastly, hopefully some of our readers will share and post comments about their floating cabin home style houseboat experiences.


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