Course How To

Sizes of Houseboats - What size is good for houseboat living?

by Barbara
(Maryville, TN)

A typical 40 foot Bluewater Yacht houseboat.

A typical 40 foot Bluewater Yacht houseboat.

Looking at different sizes of houseboats, and wondering what's a good size for a couple thinking and planning on houseboat living?

My husband and I are looking to buy a used houseboat in the size range of 40-50 feet to liveaboard. (we are recent empty nesters)

Which houseboat manufacturers make this size houseboat. We have looked at some Bluewater Yachts and like them a lot.

Joe & Barbara Strzykalski, Maryville, TN




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
Well Barbara, congratulations on your decision to start living on a houseboat! You're right about getting a 40-50 ft size houseboat to live on.

As to which house boat manufacturer builds 40-50 foot boats, I would say that most of them make this common popular length. It's a good size for traveling, docking, and easy to maintain.

Some houseboat builders make what they call trailerable houseboats, others build pontoon house boats, while some build large, luxury, custom houseboats.

If you looked at the mid range (40-50ft) and liked the Bluewater houseboat style, than you should also look at the Holiday Mansion, Harbor Master, Monticello, Pluckebaum, Skipperliner, and the popular Gibson houseboats to just name a few.

When it comes to personal houseboat designs, styles, and tastes, there's surely something for everyone. if would like to start you're search and need some names, the house boat manufacturer list is a good place to start.

Let us know if you do purchase a house boat, and do try to send us a picture, since we all like to hear about new beginnings. :)


Lastly, hopefully some of our readers will share and post comments about their choice of sizes, and houseboat living experiences. Feel free to use the "Click here to post comments." link found at the bottom of this page.


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


PS: You may be interested in some excellent educational dvd's on houseboats. They cover topics like buying, surveys, top tips, docking, driving and other subjects that maybe of interest to you.


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 Sizes of Houseboats - What size is good for houseboat living?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Depends on the houseboat hull design
by: Ray

Most houseboat hulls are not intended for open waters including sailing across the Great Lakes. However, there are some that are designed to handle fairly rough waters to a certain extent.

Some Pluckybaums and Carri Crafts have such a hull design and appear to be fairly sea worthy for some short salt water crossings.

You should seek a good marine surveyor and get his/her opinion if your boat will handle deep waters.

Even if you do have a houseboat that will make runs to the Carribean, ALWAYS have the latest update on weather and sea conditions.

You don't want the surprises that Mother Nature can throw at you. Ray
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Houseboats in deep water
by: Anonymous

Hi we are reading in some places that you can pick up anchor and travel to the Bahamas or Belize. Is this true even for a houseboat?

ANSWER
No. Houseboat are made for lakes and rivers.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Houseboat Length - the size does matter
by: Ray

Before you sign on the line for a houseboat, look it over very carefully to make certain it will meet all your needs with little "customizing" for your tastes needed.

Pretty difficult to do some of this "after you move aboard". Not impossible but can be a real pain. Been there, done that.

For two people, 40' to 60' will give you plenty of room and ease of handling if both are boat savy.

As far as "hitting a sharp rock and sinking" just remember the TITANIC. If it floats, it can sink. But if you are a competent skipper, you will fare well. Know your waters.


Congrats on your decision to live the good life. I hope you find the "right" vessel and can spend many many years of enjoying the water life. Ain't nuthin' like it.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Any safe liveaboard houseboats?
by: Pat

My wife and I are looking to buy a 55 to 60 foot liveaboard houseboat but I am concerned about hitting a sharp rock and sinking the boat.

I found 14 x 50 sailabration and believe it would have less danger of sinking due to the sealed bulkheads every 6 feet. Am I correct and is this a good boat manufacturer?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		The perfect size houseboat
by: Trish & CV

Our houseboat is 42' x 12', BUT it has a gabled roof, so the interior is very open. Tides and winds can affect your handling of the craft because it has so much MASS; therefore, 42' is just right for me.

I have a single 4-stroke 115hp Suzuki with 4-blade prop which allows me sufficient control. Nevertheless, twin outboards or bow/stern thrusters would also help.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Fun Country VIP houseboat
by: Bev Hart

My parents just purshased a Fun Country VIP, and they just love it. We are from California up by Sacramento we just spent our first weekend on their new houseboat it has all the conveniences of home and even more.

What is really neat my brother has his Fun Country next to our parents houseboat his is called "Wet Dreams" and my parents new one is called "Sweet Dreams.

Their other houseboat is a Holiday Mansion Barracuda named "Doc Holiday" which will soon be advertised on boatrader.com for sale.

Check it out.. Labor day weekend is already planned, lots and lots of family fun ahead. Wet bar on top and hot tub.

Bev
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Good size for live aboard
by: Bill V

Check out Sailabration houseboats. They are pontoon style, and very affordable new. Unless you plan on running in deep water, Gulf or Atlantic, these pontoon types are very smooth and we have run to the keys on the gulf side.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Tips on Houseboat Living.

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.