In this modern era, people love the idea of living somewhere unique and different, and many of them choose to live in a houseboat.
The houseboat is constructed as a boat that is used as a home. Some houseboats are motorized, and some are constructed moored that kept the stationary at the fixed place.
Living in a houseboat is something magical as it could be appealing to imagine your whole house is drifting from place to place when you are holed up into your home.
True houseboats are static homes without engines built on pontoons. But these kinds of boats are very rare.
Houseboats can be very luxurious or straightforward, and it all depends on what type of boat you want for yourself.
In some countries like the United Kingdom, the people used to buy houseboats for habitations. In contrast, houseboats are frequently bought for vacations and parties in other countries like the USA and Canada.
Living on the boat could be a fantastic way of life, but it comes with many difficulties like filling up with water, empty toilets, and lots of maintenance. The typical life span of the houseboat is about five to seven years. But it can also last for longer if it is appropriately preserved.
Regardless of all expenses, one of the most appealing beauties of living in a houseboat is that you can enjoy yourself whenever you want.
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How Much Does it Cost to Buy a Houseboat?
Houseboats are becoming very popular day by day. On average, the cost of buying a houseboat can range anywhere from $1,500 to $15 million. But the cost mostly depends on the location. Moreover, if you decide to live in a houseboat, you should be ready to pay $500 to $1000 each month. However, license fees, installation fees, and subsequent repairs must be considered while buying a houseboat.
Many factors affect the cost, including water utility, maintenance cost, vessel size, type, use, and many more.
Regardless of materials, every houseboat requires a certain amount of maintenance.
Items that need attention are oil changes, anti-fouling paint, outdrives, propellers, anodes, roof maintenance, etc.
On average, the cost required for the proper maintenance can range around $100 per month.
Additional Expenses Of Houseboat
One important thing to remember is that purchasing is not the only cost you need to spend. Like a formal house, there are many ongoing expenses involved in running the new houseboat.
Insurance cost:
After buying the houseboat of your choice, the first thing you will need to do is the boat’s insurance. Top-rated houseboat companies offer complete security, competitive insurance premium, and broad coverage.
The insurance coverage can go anywhere from $500 to $2,000 per year.
It’s essential to research in order to find the best insurance company that can give the affordable and best price of your need.
The insurance will protect you against any damage to the vessel and liability.
Slip Rental
Slip rental is another consideration in the expenses of the houseboat. Slip rental secures a place to the boat in Marina.
There are low, medium, and high-end Marinas are available.
Marina fees depend on the length of the vessel. However, the average cost can be $150 to $550 a month, depending on where your boat is moored in Marina.
Additional facilities cost
Facilities like electric pumping, the fuel needed to move the boat and run the generator are significant cost factors. These prices can vary depending on where you keep your boat.
And if you are cooking in your houseboat with propane, it can cost about $30 per month.
Marine surveys:
A marine survey is an excellent way to help you view your houseboat to reduce the chances of purchasing a boat that may have any hidden damage.
These inspections also allow estimating the cost of repair.
The cost for the marine survey can vary depending on the location.
Hull painting Cost:
The cost of painting a hull can vary depending on the size of your houseboat.
But painting every three to five years can protect your houseboat from corrosion.
The average cost per linear fit falls around $25 for basic sections, ranging up to $125 per linear foot for a premium section.
Mooring Cost:
The mooring cost depends on the type of mooring and location and typically falls between $11 and $17 per foot per month.
Transport Cost:
If you bought your houseboat from another area at a reasonable price, just remember there is a cost of transporting it from one location to another.
You can navigate by lakes or have professionally moved but, be sure to choose a verified transport company.
Fuel Cost:
Fuel-burning cost for each houseboat can be different from another houseboat, depending on its size. Many houseboats use about 20 to 30 gallons of fuel per hour.
And don’t forget that houseboat generators can use 2 gallons of fuel per hour depending on the appliances you have plugged in.
Renovation Cost:
After purchasing a houseboat, there is always some sort of renovation to be done. Some old items and furniture can be used after renovation.
You can put your personal style and flair into a newly bought houseboat.
Costs on renovation can differ depending on whether you are remodeling, upgrading equipment, or doing major or minor repairs.
Is Houseboat a Good Investment?
If you love to spend time in water and enjoy being surrounded by water, buying a houseboat can be incredibly enjoyable and offers an alternative dream lifestyle.
There are different houseboats available with different prizes. You can buy a previously used houseboat or buy the new one, but it is essential to choose the right type of boat for yourself.
If you desire to have 15 people on the boat, then consider selecting a wide houseboat.
There are many other things to think about while buying a houseboat, like the size is an important consideration, thinking about how many people will be on the boat and how much time will be spent.
The types of houseboats are as follows;
Types of Houseboat Model Available To Buy
Stationary Houseboat:
The stationary houseboat is the most typical kind of floating boat. These boats are not constructed to be taken out to the sea. They are usually moored or tied up to a fixed location.
Cruising Houseboats:
They are also called blue water houseboats that are constructed to move in the water.
Cruising houseboats can be good for someone who wants to live in a houseboat that can be used for water travel and excursions.
These houseboats cannot operate in high and open oceanic seas and rely on fuel for mobility.
There are different houseboats you can choose from as per your choice. Some other subtypes of cruising and stationary houseboats are mentioned below;
Pontoon Houseboat:
This boat is constructed mostly off marine-grade aluminum, wood, fiberglass, steel, and plastic. It is a fantastic vacation boat usually loved because of its utility, affordability, and stability.
Pontoon houseboat is very easy to clean, easy to use, and needs little up-keeping.
The barge houseboat
Barge houseboats are one of the most common boats that are typically slimmer and made up of wood.
It provides ample storage space and can serve up to 10 people.
They are often decorated with beautiful flower arrangements.
Dutch barges are often more significant than traditional barges.
However, these types of barges can only be moored in rivers, not in canals.
Complete hull houseboat
A hull houseboat is a standard option if you want to live to enjoy the boat life. They are constructed with steel, aluminum, and wood.
They are specifically designed to keep it above the water.
It is built in impressive dimensions that provide more living space.
There is plenty of storage space under the floor as well.
Luxurious Houseboat
A luxurious houseboat can have many extra features, including air conditioners, gas grills, dishwashers, and granite counters, making this worth living.
A luxury houseboat can cost about $1.5 million.
Before you go, you might be interested:
Benefits of Living in Houseboat
With the rising cost of apartments and houses, people are switching to live on houseboats. And the good part is that you can live full time in a houseboat for a year-round by spending average cost.
And if your house is in an area where water freezes, you can make specific accommodations like you can use heaters which creates a very comfortable atmosphere.
There are many appealing advantages of living in hoes use boat including you can enjoy the living on the water, inexpensive living and some other benefits include;
- When you live in a houseboat, you can wake up to a view of the sea every day.
- You can enjoy fresh air, outdoorsy lifestyle and provide a chance to bond with nature.
- You would be able to enjoy fishing, boating, tubing regularly as your afternoon activities.
- When living in a houseboat, there is no need for yard maintenance. You won’t have to take tension to shovel the snow or mow the lawn.
- Another good advantage of living in a houseboat is that you don’t worry about paying property taxes on a houseboat as a formal home.
