Boston Houseboat Needs a New Owner!

(Boston, MA)

I currently own a houseboat (technically a housebarge) in Boston, MA and I have been trying to sell it but people keep backing out due to cold feet, financing, and now the marine inspector we had complete a survey last year reached out to a potential buyer and said that it was in bad shape the day before the closing!

Meanwhile the report I received from him said that it was in good condition, and he verbally told me it was in "great shape" so I don't know what to do! We are also up against that fact that most marinas here (but luckily not mine) are getting away from allowing houseboats in general, so that is a whole other issue.

I guess what I am wondering is:

How can I sell it? I'm afraid if I list it for less money it'll look tainted, but I really don't want to go through another season of owning it and paying marina fees when we don't use it at all (not to mention that one of the buyers backed out after we removed and donated all of the furniture at his request so we can't even use it if we wanted to)...

Do you know of anywhere in Boston where I could have it pulled out of the water for a hull inspection (since that is the #1 issue with most potential buyers). It's approximately 20'x40' but on a fiberglass over plywood hull built circa 1984, and has two stories, so too big for the marinas I've spoken to.

Do you know what I could do with it if I can't sell it? I was considering charity, but that brings back the crane question. And junking it would be equally as complicated, plus it's a decent house so that would be a shame... Do they make reefs out of things like this?

Any help would be appreciated, Boston, MA

New Listing in Boston, MA UPDATE: There's a new listing for a floating home houseboat for sale in Boston, MA.

Reply - Answer

Well those are some very good questions and I will try my best to help you.

First of all, sorry to hear about the problems that you are having with your marine surveyor. Sounds like there is some type of conflict of interest. The written survey says one thing, yet he verbally says something else? hmmmm.... ? Maybe you could speak to someone at the SAMS Marine Surveyors Association.

As to trying to sell it, I would highly recommend listing it on our houseboat classified ads section as it receives thousands of targeted visitors looking for boats.

As you mentioned about the lack of furniture, well it does not help for the cosmetic appearance, however I don't see that as a real deal breaker since you are in a prime location and furniture can easily be brought in.

If I was in your shoes, I would use the telephone to call the local marinas and shipyards in the area. There has to be a business in the neighborhood that is equipped to haul this out for a hull inspection. If you don't want to go that route, why not have divers do a visual underwater verification of the hull condition?

In regards to giving it to a charitable organization, I remember seeing some charitable organizations on eBay that were involved in selling boats that were donated to them. This could be another alternative for you.



Lastly, hopefully some of our readers and visitors will share and post comments about their houseboat or house barge experiences and tips.

Feel free to use the "Click here to post comments." link found near the bottom of this page.

Thanks again for sharing, IAN from all-about-houseboats

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