Author Topic: Houseboats - anyone know anything about them? (Read 2161 times)

DrewKaree · « **on:** March 25, 2005, 04:28:09 am »

Now, obviously it's a lot smaller than a house, and some of those "creature comforts" you're used to now wouldn't be advisable (like a big screen), but I'm wondering how it'd be to own one - are there taxes on 'em (other than a boating license) or anything you wouldn't think of?

I know a slip fee would prolly apply if there was no way to launch, and gas to move the boat around, but...well, has anyone owned one, thought about buying one, will buy one, or currently own one? Mebbe if I could find a nice 1500 sq ft houseboat I'll buy one of those instead of a house and avoid the property taxes

daywane · « **Reply #1 on:** March 25, 2005, 06:21:36 am »

I have had 2.
I doubt they were like the ones you are talking about.
Mine was HUGE pontoon boats. I added on trailers to them
I did not have a slip at the time I would just drive down to the river and put in.
taxes were not as bad as I had feared.
slept 6 people comfortable.
actually live in one. Not for me. winter would be bad. real bad around here.

ChadTower · « **Reply #2 on:** March 25, 2005, 10:50:17 am »

I've known a few people who had them in NS. Winters WERE bad. Really bad. So were storms. How you gonna get away when a big storm is coming and your house is in the water? They are prone to breakins. You would think that being away from shore would solve that but no, people boat over and break in.

Crazy Cooter · « **Reply #3 on:** March 25, 2005, 01:35:05 pm »

Arrr. Pirates you say?

A friends dad had one. It was cool but drank gas like you were just pouring it on the ground. He had a slip but stored it out of water over the winter. It was cramped, but a single dude in a warm place could drop a few arcade cabinets in there and be happy. If you don't mind a camper, a houseboat would be fine. Grab a secured slip on a river for best results.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #4 on:** March 25, 2005, 01:46:19 pm »

Yeah, winter would be an issue by me as well, plus the houseboat would get "frozen in", but I'm not actually thinking of a year-round thing unless it were someplace warmer. If it were just in WI, storms aren't really an issue - the bigguns don't really rock us here.

Dawayne, the two I've seen slept about that many. For some reason, I've got a BYOHB picture in my mind of the ones you homebrewed, and these seemed more "professional-ized".

It was hard at first to get used to the movement when you were trying to go to sleep. I kept thinking I was gonna eventually fall out of bed or something

ChadTower · « **Reply #5 on:** March 25, 2005, 01:54:00 pm »

Keep in mind that when your house moves around via gas, weight is directly related to the cost of moving it. Putting cabs into a houseboat would really up the cost of fuel.

shmokes · « **Reply #6 on:** March 25, 2005, 02:40:23 pm »

Move to the Bahamas with it. I think it's practically free to live there. No property tax IIRC. And it's always warm. And the water is beautiful. And the coral, which is what makes the water so beautiful and clear, also keeps it relatively shark-free, I think. And the U.S. dollar is the official currency and English is the official language. You will, however, have to learn to drive on the "wrong" side of the road.

ChadTower · « **Reply #7 on:** March 25, 2005, 02:42:06 pm »

Ultimarc charges even more to ship to the Bahamas.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2005, 02:47:39 pm »

They've also got those pesky hurricanes to worry about. I dealt with those coming inland, no sense in me poking the bear with a stick by living on the water.....although Gilligan's Island Updated could be fun!

ChadTower · « **Reply #9 on:** March 25, 2005, 02:48:47 pm »

Dude, the closest you would come to MaryAnn and Ginger would be the combined chick in your avatar.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #10 on:** March 25, 2005, 03:04:37 pm »

I think she may have swallowed them whole

ChadTower · « **Reply #11 on:** March 25, 2005, 03:05:51 pm »

I just noticed something. It really looks like Reggie White is giving that woman the wary eye, like he's about to try and bull rush her.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #12 on:** March 25, 2005, 03:09:42 pm »

No, more like he's finally seen someone he doesn't think he can make it around to get at the QB

ChadTower · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2005, 03:12:59 pm »

I forget, was it him that used to make the homophobic remarks to the media on a regular basis?

DrewKaree · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2005, 03:18:15 pm »

Coulda been, although I don't know what your definition of homophobic remarks are.

ChadTower · « **Reply #15 on:** March 25, 2005, 03:27:28 pm »

IIRC, they were things along the lines of "homosexuality isn't natural - they're sinners and they're going to hell". Stuff you may expect from a preacher, which of course he was.

Not that I care, just wanted to make sure I remembered correctly.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #16 on:** March 25, 2005, 03:44:49 pm »

There were two instances of that while he was in WI, I believe prior to his final year, and right after his final year here ended - he was asked to speak to some WI government branch.

Dunno if anything like that happened while he was with Philly

shmokes · « **Reply #17 on:** March 25, 2005, 05:32:11 pm »

Quote from: DrewKaree on March 25, 2005, 03:18:15 pm

Coulda been, although I don't know what your definition of homophobic remarks are.

You mean, there are definitions of homophobic remarks that would not include, "homosexuality isn't natural - they're sinners and they're going to hell"?

DrewKaree · « **Reply #18 on:** March 25, 2005, 05:47:09 pm »

When they suspend a kid from school and call the parents in, contemplating sensitivity training for the kid for saying something is gay, yes.

Enough dumb stories abound where someone's gone overboard after being offended by some "homophobic" comment that it requires definition.

That, and the way I read his question led me to believe he was thinking of someone who weekly was talking about gays, and I've since forgotten his remarks, so wanted further clarification as well.

daywane · « **Reply #19 on:** March 26, 2005, 08:37:19 am »

make one like this.
no its not mine.

Jabba · « **Reply #20 on:** March 26, 2005, 08:48:45 am »

Quote from: daywane on March 26, 2005, 08:37:19 am

make one like this.
no its not mine.

That my friend looks VERY dangerous.
Wouldn't catch me eating burgers or drinking beer on the bottom level.
Looks like the entire weight is being held up with 2x4s!!
Also, what is the functionality here? Air conditioning?

DrewKaree · « **Reply #21 on:** March 26, 2005, 03:42:35 pm »

Quote from: daywane on March 26, 2005, 08:37:19 am

no its not mine.

I LOVE that disclaimer!

missioncontrol · « **Reply #22 on:** March 26, 2005, 09:47:52 pm »

There's allways this.....

daywane · « **Reply #23 on:** March 26, 2005, 09:56:01 pm »

well. ahem... that is kinda what mine looked like.

I did toss a trailor on 2 very large pontoonas.
2, 70 hp engines and off we went.

Crazy Cooter · « **Reply #24 on:** March 27, 2005, 12:12:52 am »

Those scamps aren't exactly light either... I wonder if the 2x4's are treated?

missioncontrol · « **Reply #25 on:** March 27, 2005, 03:40:03 pm »

Drew I have heard it's easy to add a basement to one once you get it out in the water......

I you get one give it a try

DrewKaree · « **Reply #26 on:** March 28, 2005, 12:33:05 am »

Actually, I heard it's easier to make 'em like those houses they build into the ground...although with a houseboat, dawayne's first pic might work, depending on the water depth

ChadTower · « **Reply #27 on:** March 28, 2005, 08:17:37 am »

Asked my friend who used to live on one... an avg houseboat uses up $500-1000 PER WEEK in gas if you're moving most of the time (say, travelling).

DrewKaree · « **Reply #28 on:** March 28, 2005, 11:21:40 am »

What size engine does he have on it Chad?

I've already got a slip (parents own land bordering lake, and have a boathouse/dock setup) but I would like to tool around a touch with it periodically....I'm not thinking like taking the long way down to Fla. or anything like that.

I love the Google ads - they're actually a feature in this case

I've seen a couple of nice boats for sale already!

ChadTower · « **Reply #29 on:** March 28, 2005, 02:21:00 pm »

Quote from: DrewKaree on March 28, 2005, 11:21:40 am

What size engine does he have on it Chad?


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