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House Boat Questions!!

Discussion in 'General Trawler Discussion' started by TheJunkYardMan, May 12, 2013.

  1. TheJunkYardMan, May 12, 2013
    #1
    TheJunkYardMan

    TheJunkYardMan New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2013
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    Location:
    Northern Va
    Hey you guys,

    New here. I am posting on behalf of my father, hence the manly sn, since he doesn't know how to use forums just yet. (Dont worry...He'll learn in no time. he's already figured out youtube and got lost looking at boat/cars)

    okay. So I, his daughter, currently live on a patchy still in progress 1979 49' Marine Trader Pilot House. He's built this boat from the floors up since it had litterly sat abandoned for ten + years. (all the decals are intact though!)

    Now, He wants to finish this boat and sell it for retirement money. ( Apparently they go up for 100k + ). Which means!!! We are in the market for another house boat/trawler that I could live on.

    We already found a 40ft Bluewater Pilothouse that was for sale for 10,000. It sunk ( no clue how yet but its currently floating ) and dad thinks he can get it discounted because of the sinking History.

    Honestly....I have fears of waking up and my house is sinking. >.<

    Olversons Lodge Creek Marina, Inc. (Lottsburg, VA)
    Here's the boat before it sunk. Dad has already been on it now that its raised and said that it just is really dirty. He would have to work on the engines though.

    Does anyone have any reviews on these boats as places to live? It would only be one person, a dog, and a cage full of ferrets ( they are getting their own outside pen and garage built but it'll be awhile till were finished. )

    Also. I live in colonial Beach, va. Right by southern Maryland and near D.C.

    Are there any websites listing project boats? We are looking for a livable houseboat, or twawler that has some problems but its not like...Riip all the walls down and built back up.

    Or...Can you help me look online for some project boats near me? Nothing I have searched came up verry conclusive.

    Thanks
    Cara
  2. Pascal, May 12, 2013
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Miami, FL
    A sinker requires more than just engine work... Wiring, pumps , air cons, appliances, etc... Free is often still too much, especially if it sunk in salt water... And even more if it s a house boat. (Don't let the name blue water fool you)

    Craig's list is probably your best bet for project boats If you re going to spend $ fixing a boat it ma have well be something that may have some resale not a 30 year old houseboat
  3. NYCAP123, May 12, 2013
    #3
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Boat Trader is another good source for houseboats. In fact just Google the word Houseboat and you'll come up with a bunch for sale in every condition. If you're just looking for something to live on, without major cruising plans, a houseboat will do fine. They're kind of a water version of a trailer. In your area, if you have intentions of venturing out into the Chesapeake, I'd look towards Bluewater, Holiday Mansion or Harbor Master. Ones on the style of Gibsons, Three Buoys, etc. are better for calm lakes.
    For a single guy or girl houseboat life can be pretty cool. But remember it can also be pretty cold. They don't have great heating systems or much insulation although either can be beefed up.

    As for one that's been sunk, Pascale is right on target. If it sank in salt water I wouldn't trust much mechanical or electrical. Salt water is very corrosive. A brief dunk in fresh water you might get away withm but check things carefully. Fire is a scary thing. Also look for signs of mold.

    Another thing to look at is local laws and rules about living aboard. Many towns and marinas have regulations prohibiting it.

    One thing you might want to do if you choose to live aboard a houseboat is to increase the size of your holding tank. It doesn't take long to fill a 20 or 30 gallon tank, and there is no pumping overboard.

    Do understand that living on a houseboat would be considered roughing it by most people today, but it sounds like you may have some hippy in your genes.

    One final note. When you hear a warning of a major storm coming, hurricane, blizzard, etc. be prepared to leave the boat and head inland for shelter. Again, houseboats are a water version of trailers.
    Good luck.
  4. RER, May 12, 2013
    #4
    RER

    RER Senior Member

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    Many, many, great deals to be had in this market. There's absolutely no reason to buy a sinker.
  5. TheJunkYardMan, May 12, 2013
    #5
    TheJunkYardMan

    TheJunkYardMan New Member

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    Location:
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    Oh trust me. I jsut spent the winter on the marine trader. Cold enough to sit by a heater in a jacket, sweatshirt, slippers and gloves and still feel cold. We froze a bucket of water in the lower decks. But I survived! And I love living on a boat. The prospect of being able to drive somewhere for a weeekend away fishing is taunting since we sold our old fishing boat.

    Ill keep looking around
    . Dad knows boats I'm just the computer geek.

    We've looked on marine trader without much luck. But I'm not in a complete rush.

    Oh...I was on the boat through hurricane sandy. That was one collllllddd night.
  6. NYCAP123, May 12, 2013
    #6
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Had a feeling you were a girl with heart.:) Biat Trader, not Marine Trader.
  7. wscott52, May 13, 2013
    #7
    wscott52

    wscott52 Senior Member

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    SE Florida
    Would not under any circumstances buy a Bluewater houseboat that has been sunk. As others have said, free is probably too much.

    It wasn't much of a boat to begin with and pretty much everything mechanical or electronic on it will have to be replaced.

    Look on Craigslist or boat trader, you don't need to buy a low end houseboat that sank.
  8. Quality Time, May 13, 2013
    #8
    Quality Time

    Quality Time Member

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  9. TheJunkYardMan, May 19, 2013
    #9
    TheJunkYardMan

    TheJunkYardMan New Member

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    Location:
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    20k is steep for us. Maybe If i went out and got a loan. (not likely to ever happen). We just don't have that kind of money laying around.

    I did find another boat though that is way below our price line but needs alllloooottt of work.

    My question is: Would a engineless, but floating, needing a lot of work nauta-line house boat for 600.00 be a better deal than a once sunk blue water?

    Thanks, I am still looking
    Cara
  10. NYCAP123, May 19, 2013
    #10
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    First, you will not get a boat loan for anything you've been talking about. At least not at anything less than 300% APR (PayDay).

    Second, you never want to be the last owner of a boat. They can cost you several thousands of dollars to get rid of.

    Third, I wouldn't dare fall asleep on anything floating that didn't cost well over 20K.

    Fourth, you'll never find a marina willing to take in such a boat, because they don't want to be the last owner when you walk away.

    Sorry for the bad news, but I think you'd be a lot better off and a lot safer on something with dirt underneath it for this kind of money.