A while back there was an article in the Post-Gazette about Houseboats, being "A Lot of Splash for the Cash." The article started the wheels turning. I am considering buying a houseboat to live on. Is this a feasable thing to do in Pittsburgh all year long?
Tim - I know personally several people that call the river home all year 'round. There are a few at washington's landing that I know. I'm almost positive that there are also some at Fox Chapel. I've also heard of several other marina's/yacht clubs have live-aboards. So to answer your question, it is feasable.
There are a few things/features I would want in my boat if it were a year round home over my summer hangout, of course... but I definitely could do it. It would be nice to travel south on it in the winter but the gas alone would make that unaffordable for most!
Hey there -- I'm trying to find resources (web, written or living/breathing live-aboards) to get more information about transitioning to the water. Single guy renting an apartment in a neighborhood which is plunging down the tubes. It's time for a change...but not necessarily one in which I buy a chunk of land.
I also found the article TIM referenced, but aside from marinas and boats-for-sale outlets, it didn't really point me in the necessary direction. Aside from arriving at a marina and awkwardly asking permission to talk to live-aboards, I'm not sure what the next step might entail. This forum is the first one I visited, and I'm not 100% it's the place to ask my list of questions.
Yeah, what Grantz said. Jay, you will find 99% of boaters are very helpful people, they LOVE to talk boating. Personally, I'm very proud of the fact I've lived aboard in this climate for 2 winters. It's a very different life style, wonderful, but different. (summers are great-you're out cutting grass and I'm sippin a margherita!)
Carol
Jay -
Post some of your questions or even e-mail me and I'll get you the info you need.
Grantz
M/V The 69 Queen
1969 River Queen 40'
and a 24' Pontoon "Red Solo Cup"
Port of Fulton, MS
I had emailed with Grantz before and he said you would be of great help in looking for info to become a liveaboard in Pittsburgh. any assistance you could provide would be helpful its hard to find info out there and dont really know where to turn.
We've been living on our 50 Burns Craft since September of 2010. Sold our house and are in the process of bringing a new "home" to Pittsburgh to live on until....... Be happy to answer any questions and try to help. It's a great way to live. You can pm me anytime.
I had emailed with Grantz before and he said you would be of great help in looking for info to become a liveaboard in Pittsburgh. any assistance you could provide would be helpful its hard to find info out there and dont really know where to turn.
Ask away, I'll be glad to answer any questions you have. You can either post them on the forum, or send me a private message thru this site.
M/V The 69 Queen
1969 River Queen 40'
and a 24' Pontoon "Red Solo Cup"
Port of Fulton, MS
I had emailed with Grantz before and he said you would be of great help in looking for info to become a liveaboard in Pittsburgh. any assistance you could provide would be helpful its hard to find info out there and dont really know where to turn.
I lived on a 47 Harbor Master for 5 years 24/7 it was a learning experience the first couple of years. It can be done, I enjoyed living on a houseboat.
Thank you all for all the valuable information you provide throughout this site!
So I've been thinking and dreaming about living on a houseboat for a few years now. It sounds like it's feasible to live aboard all year round, which would be awesome :)
I did have a couple questions I was hoping someone could answer. Doesn't it get cold in the wintertime? What kind of heating do ya'll use? What kinds of problems come up with keeping the boat in the water year round? Any advice you could offer or resources you could refer me to would sure be appreciated.
The other question I had is whether it's possible to live on a houseboat without a marina. I would love to have an off-grid houseboat, because I'm really interested in self-sufficiency, independence, and that sort of thing. I already live in an off-grid apartment! :) I'm hoping the transfer to off-grid boating won't be too painless?
Yes it gets Cold. Most liveaboards use some form of electric heat. Larger boats may have a household type forced air electric furnaces, my old boat did.
Unless you buy or rent riverfront property you will need to be at a marina or private club. You could still be off the grid by not plugging in and using public utilities.
Can you live on a houseboat in PGH?
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Originally Posted by CoolHand
