About House Boats
A flat bottom and speeds of about 20 knots or less differentiate houseboats from other forms of watercraft. Houseboats vary in size from small 20-foot cruisers to mammoth 100-foot floating homes, and can have double decks or no cabin space.
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New
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New houseboats that can be stored on land and trailered to the water are available in 20- to 30-foot models. Trailerable houseboats provide a good way for newcomers to venture into the sport and are good for day trips, family outings, fishing and docking in shallow waters. Popular manufacturers of trailerable houseboats include Catamaran, Travelwave and Nomad. Larger houseboats made for extensive travel and living aboard often are custom-made. They can be constructed of fiberglass, steel, wood or aluminum. Ready-to-go houseboat plans are available, or boat builders can craft a unique design based on the buyer's needs.
Used
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Previously owned houseboats are plentiful. Many boaters try out houseboats and find they don't suit the type of boating they prefer. A used full-size livable houseboat can cost as much (or more) than a new house on land. Houseboats are sold through online sites such as EveryBoat.com and BuyABoat.net. Dealers that sell new houseboats typically have a stock of used boats for sale that they've taken in on trade. Follow the same process for buying a used boat as for buying a house---check out the specs online and walk through the boat before making an offer.
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Rental
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Houseboat rentals are available for those who'd like to take a vacation afloat. Rentals may include a complete crew or can be "barefoot," allowing the renters to operate the boat themselves. A rental vacation on a houseboat is a good way to measure interest before purchasing a houseboat of your own. Rentals leave from various ports and can be booked online through sites such as ForeverHouseboats.com or Houseboating.org.
Trade Show
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The National Houseboat Expo has been held in Nashville, Kentucky, since 1998. Typically held in late February, the show attracts houseboat enthusiasts from all over the country to check out the newest models and houseboat gadgets on the market. Seminars on new electronics and houseboat lifestyle issues are held throughout the three-day affair.
Lifestyle
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Mariners who choose to live on houseboats belong to a worldwide community that communicates through blogs and websites such as AllAboutHouseboats.com and RealTravel.com. Houseboat dwellers share their experiences in different ports, chatting about new electronics for houseboats and their general lifestyle adventures.
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