Course How To

Expandable Trailerable Pontoon Houseboat

by Gary Severn
(Venice Florida USA)

I designed a Trailerable Houseboat that expands out to 12 feet wide from 8 feet wide. It's basically 3 units, 2 outside units and one center unit.

From the open 12 foot position, the two outside units slide toward one another 2 feet inward on each side until the width becomes 8 feet wide. The pontoons are fastened to the outer units in a fixed position giving the pontoon boat a very stable ride at 12 feet.

The outside units can be moved inward or outward using my patented hydro/electric system. Four simple pins lock everything into position. This is all accomplished in the water prior to loading the boat back onto the trailer.

The overall length can vary from 24 feet to 40 feet. It has 3 foot collapsible side decks with handrails the full length of each side of the boat making the boat 15 or 18 feet wide. (One side can be up when docking on that side).

The top deck is also fitted with a collapsible safety railing system. A collapsible Bimini can easily be raised up on the top deck for sun protection.

The interior has almost everything attached to the outside units so they can freely move in and out without having to detach something to allow expanding.

Powered with two outboard motors (one inboard of each pontoon). The trailer is designed to allow the boat to expand out when using the boat as a Travel Trailer.

All this works similar to 'Expanders/Sliders' on RV Trailers and Motor Homes.

So, what do you think? Want to build one?? Know someone that would like to build it?

Let me know. Thanks for letting me share, Gary



Advertise Houseboat Business Advertising
You can advertise here for pennies a day!
Are you a boating related business and want to
increase sales and profits with targeted traffic?
Act now to get our 1/2 price sale, limited offer




Reply - Answer
What a great post Gary, sounds like an interesting project. If you're able to send some pictures, I would upload them here, since a picture is worth a thousand words.

IAN - from www.all-about-houseboats.com


Free Bonus Offer

To show our deep appreciation to all of our readers and visitors, here is the link to our free houseboat magazine, the INSIDER. Go ahead click the book and sign-up, it's free and filled with great articles, tips, information and website updates.

free Houseboat Magazine - The Houseboat Insider


Comments for Expandable Trailerable Pontoon Houseboat

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		expandable houseboat and built in trailer
by: Andy

Here is a design for an expandable:
https://newatlas.com/transformis-inspire-expandable-houseboat/40915/

I would love to know if any of you have built one like this? As some have stated, keeping the pontoons from twisting is the real challenge.

Also, does anyone know of a trailer that is built in? Imagine a situation where I have a light weight pontoon houseboat. I put in at the top of the Mississippi river and motor to New Orleans. I then rent a truck and tow it north or to my next destination. Has anyone seen a concept where the trailer is part of the houseboat or can be disassembled and slung under or stowed in some way?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Need to talk to Gary Severn
by: Darrel Clegg

I am definitely want to do see or no how this expandable pontoons work love to speak with Gary if ever possible I'm in the midst of either buying one or making one I would appreciate the help very much thank you.

Darrel
330-770-9697
Skimann747@aol.com
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Great minds think alike.
by: Christina

We came up with this exact idea also, and I was researching weights and fell upon this page. Great minds think alike! Would love to see pictures of the final product!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Sliding pontoon houseboat
by: Anonymous

I am considering building an Aluminum version of what you have described. I was wondering if there are any issues with the two pontoons wanting to twist while in the water.

I came up with almost exactly the same ideas you had independently. It just sounds like the logical solution to having a substantial sized boat that you can trailer to the lake and avoid the overpriced dock slip fees!!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Building an expandable houseboat
by: roger

I to am in the process of building an expandable houseboat. Pontoons are plywood as is most everything else. The boat goes from 8 foot wide for trailering to 14 feet wide at launch.

The boat splits and slides apart and splits at the door at either end of the cabin. The cabin goes from 8 foot to 10 feet. The pontoons split apart by moving the frame apart on the trailer. This is done with 2 small 12 volt winches for 30 dollars each.

I first built a scale model of the boat to make sure everything works. Door frames hinge in to allow for the two foot close up. Two foot strip down entire length of boat are removed in 8 foot lengths. 2 foot by 8 foot sections are removed from outside are removed.

Winches pull trailer bed and boat back to 8 foot wide. Will take one hour to one and a half I am thinking for me by myself to assemble. I have started on the pontoons, 4 foot wide by 2 feet high by 32 feet long.

I had to stop as it is winter here in northern Ontario. My garage is 28 feet and my pontoons are 32 feet. Oh yeah I am on dial up internet, so I will try to keep you posted when the weather warms up in April. Will try to send pictures of model.

Roger.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Expandable Houseboats - try Travelwave
by: Anonymous

Check out the Travelwave360 for the houseboat that has fold up pontoons. It's manufactured in the USA.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pictures of Expandable Trailerable Houseboats
by: Anonymous

Pictures would be great.

Thanks
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Any more info about the Expandable Pontoon Houseboat?
by: Dominic

I was interested in more info regarding Gary Severn's article regarding his expandable pontoon houseboat.

His closing remark is to contact him with further interest. Would you have an email address for that author. Thanks,

Reply - Answer
Well Dominic, unfortunately I don't have any contact info for this expandable pontoon houseboat article.

Hopefully the author will come back to share more information about his design.

IAN from www.all-about-houseboats.com
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		How do we get more info about your designs?
by: Anonymous

Please post more information and pictures if possible, regarding your collapsible - expandable pontoon houseboat.
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Patented mechanism for trailerable houseboats?
by: Ray

Gary; I am thrilled at the thought of camping on the water, and then going back to the ranch with my "towable" houseboat. It is the perfect cross over, RV/Marine, concept.

However, if you intend on manufacturing, selling,
buying, or just talking about it your going to give up a little more info..

1. Photos!
2. Price range.
3. Patent! Cmon. (GIRLS THAT GOT EM, LIKE TO FLOUNT EM!)
4. Privacy. Can't contact you to place my order.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Plans for Building a Houseboat..

Continue Reading Our Popular Pages

Manufacturers
Live on a Boat
HB Forums
HB Rentals 		HB Buying Guide
Boat Build Plans
New Houseboats

Parts/Accessories
Trailerable Boats
What's New / Blog 		Pontoon H-Boats
Marine Insurance
Transport/Movers
Loans & Finance

Our collection of houseboat ebooks

Ebook Boats Collection on Houseboat Books

We just love houseboats, do you?
Join our monthly HB Insider for free



Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.