A houseboat is a self-propelled house on the water with autonomous life support systems. Floating houses appeared in the USA at the beginning of the 20th century. Then the fashion for them moved to Europe, where entire villages of houseboats appeared.
In some cases, the reason for choosing house boats for sale is high taxes on land, in others – the lack or high cost of land in large cities. In countries such as Germany or the Netherlands, river sites are much cheaper than land, so many people prefer to settle on the water. A similar format of residential real estate is also popular in France, where for permanent residence on the water it is necessary to buy a special permit from the city hall, which gives the right to equip and lay communications to boat houses.
Terminology and classification
There is no single classification of houseboats, but for ease of understanding, they can be conditionally divided into the following groups:
A floating house (FloatHouse, landing stage, etc.) is usually a non-self-propelled house on a massive concrete or steel pontoon. Most often moved by tugboats. More like a house than a boat.
Houseboat (CanalBoat, CamperBoat) – self-propelled houses on the water, with almost ship mobility with cottage comfort.
Material: steel, aluminum, less often plastic. It is more like a yacht than a house.
According to the type of hull, it can be divided into single-hull and multi-hull (catamaran, trimaran).
Modern market of house boats for sale
In Europe, houseboats have become popular as a cheaper alternative to classic housing. For the most part, these are either barges converted into housing or ultra-modern houseboats. Moreover, the latter category is mainly built on floating concrete foundations.
In the USA, due to the huge number of lakes, houseboats mostly serve as floating boats for weekends and travel, so almost all are equipped with engines. They don’t really bother with design, so typical American house boats for sale in Florida are a sort of large “floating garage” stuffed with furniture and household appliances. Aluminum body, wooden frame, sandwich panels, plywood interior. The width is usually small for everyone – up to 5.5 m, to be transported by trailers from lake to lake. More or less comfortable houseboats cost from $500,000 to $1.5 million.
Houseboat benefits
Houseboat is a journey with comfort. The house boat is a carefully designed vessel that meets all safety requirements and combines advanced technology and the best shipbuilding traditions.
Used house boats for sale is an ideal boat for boat trips and cruises on rivers and lakes. A robust AMG alloy hull, shallow draft (about 90 centimeters) and sterndrive engines allow you to come close to almost any shore, even in shallow water.
The houseboat combines all the advantages of a yacht and a country cottage, providing its owner with maximum freedom of movement and the possibility of a comfortable stay. It is designed for movement on inland waters.
House boats for sale in Texas is not just a comfortable watercraft. This is a whole two-story “house on the water”, which is completed according to your desire. When creating a project, experienced designers will take into account all your wishes, paying special attention to the little things that will make it as comfortable as possible.
Your houseboat can be equipped with one or two engines, petrol or diesel, outboard or stationary. The power and other parameters of the engine are selected depending on the size and weight of the vessel. The speed of all houseboats is approximately the same: maximum 20 km/h, cruising – 15 km/h. Fuel consumption (including generator operation) from 2 to 5 liters per 1 km, depending on the size of the houseboat.
Driving house boats for sale Oregon is easy and enjoyable. One control post is located on the flybridge, the second – in the saloon. Management is completely duplicated. Thrusters will allow you to moor easily and safely in marinas and yacht clubs, even without much experience. At the stern there are removable platforms for a jet ski or boat. Descent and ascent are carried out using removable electric winches. A separate filling station is provided at the stern for refueling the boat and jet ski.
The vessel is equipped with modern navigation equipment and rear view cameras, which allow you to comfortably control the boat, as well as facilitate mooring and reversing.
Houseboat design
In essence, pilot house boats for sale consist of a floating base and a superstructure.
The floating base is made in the economy version from plastic modules, in the more expensive version – from aluminum, and if it is planned to freeze into ice – from ship steel.
The most common forms are monohull (like boats) or catamaran.
Engines, fuel tanks and engineering systems are usually mounted in the hull, depending on the required level of comfort.
In the economy version, outboard boat motors are used, in more expensive options, stationary engines are installed. Screws or water cannons are used as propulsion. It is believed that water cannons are safer in shallow water – there is no danger of bending the propellers.
Residential superstructures are usually made frame with insulation and further lining with plywood or other sheet materials, depending on the budget. The control post is usually located in front of the houseboat, for example, in the living room. Sometimes a second control post is placed on the second floor.
Well, the finish depends on the taste and size of the wallet.
What are houseboats for?
First, house boats for sale in NC can be a second or even only home. This is not only a full-fledged home, but also a boring lifestyle, full of interesting acquaintances, independence and travel. Buying a houseboat optimizes your time and emotional resources. For example, living in the city for five days, you can leave the noisy metropolis for the weekend without wasting time and nerves on packing and preparations – everything is already with you! The problem of living in several houses is also excluded. And even without leaving your home, you choose what kind of view will be from your window!
Secondly, this is a full-fledged yacht for long trips with home comforts. Change the situation, gain impressions, admire the beauties of water bodies without changing your place of residence: your home will always be with you.
Thirdly, this is a comfortable solution for lovers of fishing and even hunting.
Fourthly, house boats for sale Portland Oregon can also become a mobile office: the originality of an office on the water with a beautiful view will be appreciated by your customers. And if you need to move, you can do it without being distracted from work!
Although most of the small house boats for sale produced are not suitable for year-round use, interest in this lifestyle is growing day by day. Entire settlements on the water are being designed and announced, in many yacht clubs, houseboats are already installed along with yachts. Experts predict this market will grow rapidly in the coming years.
