Course How To

Pontoon House Boat

by The Barley Boys
(St Paul, Minnesota)

Homemade pontoon houseboat

Homemade pontoon houseboat

It was a fishing pontoon houseboat that served us well. It wasn't the prettiest, but it sure was practical, and as a group of young guys, we had built it ourselves.


It was built on a steel pontoons cylinders, then we made a plywood floor to start building the structure. Fortunately as a group, we were able to get a lot of the needed material and supplies. It had a propane fridge, stove, and heater that came from an old RV.

This was used mostly as a base camp for us fishing buddies, so we didn't have a motor or navigation equipment on it, since we used a small boat to push and tow it, to anchor it in a bay.

Boy, have we got some great fishing stories, and memories to go with it. Now most of us are married with kids, so there goes the fishing weekends.

The Barley Boys from Minnesota



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Reply - Answer


I can see that the Barley Boys (I like the nickname) have had themselves a great time with this simple pontoon houseboat. I agree that sometimes we get caught up with the high-end amenities, and it really boils down to "being there" with family and friends.


Lastly, hopefully some of our readers and visitors will share and post comments about their pontoon houseboat building 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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Comments for Pontoon House Boat

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Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Building Pontoon House Boat
by: Catherine

We just completed our fourth free floating barge.That is what we call them in Texas, no motor, no TX number, just a platform with a cabin.

First we found someone who was giving away a very old mobile home. The frame was in great shape. We tore off the house part, aired up the tires and pulled the frame to our ranch.

This frame was 40ft long by 20 ft wide.We purchased 20 encapsilated floats that were 4ftx3ft by 12inches deep. We attached the floats to the frame.

We then laid down the floor using treated 2x6x12's when the floor was done we pulled this platform to the lake. When we backed it into the water, we detached the axles and tires and it floated into the water.

We finished pulling it with our boat out to the slip that it would be moored it. From there we built the cabin with a kitchenette, bathroom, and a sleeping area. We finished with a covered upper deck. Total cost of @ $5000.00
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pontoon houseboat plans
by: Joe

Do you have any of the floor plans or measurements available for some of us trying the same thing. I think your boat looks great!!!!

You did a great job and have done what my wife and I are trying to do as well. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You, God Bless,
Joe Austin
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Houseboat Marinas
by: jtinmsp

Hey guys, just moved to Minneapolis from Phoenix. Are there any houseboat marinas in St. Paul or vicinity where I could actually build a houseboat? Thanks

Further downstream wouldn't be a good idea.
Rating
starstarstarstar 		nice boat , floor plan, size?
by: jim whalen

It would be nice to see a floor plan, size, and what you made the pontoons of, fiberglass or metal.
What would a boat like that cost a person today.

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