How many houseboaters out there?

[orboater]

How many of you forum members are houseboaters. What houseboat do you have? I've been boating for 53 years on the river but have two seasons with a houseboat under my belt. The wife and I are enjoying houseboating with our Gibson 37 Sport.

[BeaverDave]

I have been a houseboater since 91. 40' Riverqueen then 57' Carlcraft. Now have 70' Pluckebaum.

[Grantz]

We have a 43' Nautaline - our first houseboat. We've had her for 5 years and love the life style. She is for sale but that is because we are just looking to get something a little newer and maybe bigger

Although I may look at some aft-cabin motor yachts, we will probably stick with another houseboat. It's hard to beat the room compared to the investment.GrantzTomb.jpg

[djsherman]

We have a 41 foot Gibson Houseboat. 2 years now. Love it...and very spoiled. Will never go back. Question: For those that own a houseboat: Do you leave yours in the water over the winter? And do you shrink wrap the boat from bow to stern? I am thinking about just shrink wrapping the top sections this year. Leave the bow and the stern open. Pros and Cons?

[orboater]

We have a 41 foot Gibson Houseboat. 2 years now. Love it...and very spoiled. Will never go back. Question: For those that own a houseboat: Do you leave yours in the water over the winter? And do you shrink wrap the boat from bow to stern? I am thinking about just shrink wrapping the top sections this year. Leave the bow and the stern open. Pros and Cons?

We do take ours out for the winter. Do not shrink wrap but do tarp it. I have in the past just tarped the cabin and had access. But ended up covering it all for the nasty weather. Tried something different this year. Built a frame using Kover Klamps and 3/4 conduit.It's like it has it own garage.

Here is the link to some pictures.
http://s964.photobucket.com/albums/a...0Cover%202010/

[MikeyJ]

I have had a 42' Gibson for the last 5 years. I love it! Houseboating is such a good time and the way to go for me. I don't know how we would do it any other way, especially after all the crap we have acquired!

As for winter, I have had it IN water the last 4 winters. I have only put shrink wrap around the top half of the boat 2 of those years and I was really glad I did. I think it helps a lot by keeping the snow off and also keeping away all the top side water to give the roof and sides some time to dry out. It was a pain to do but worth it I think.

Of course, we used a long ladder and some pvc pipe to make a frame. It was not near as elaborate at orboater's frame!

[nitsuj]

I'm a cruiser guy, but if I ever found the right deal on a houseboat, I'd probably add it to my collection. Question for the people that leave them in year round, do you haul out from time to time to clean and inspect? I see what builds up on mine in one summer and can't imagine what it would look like after 12 solid months. If you do haul out, what is the going rate to have one hauled out and put back in?

[galleyslave]

We have a cruiser (33) that we spend summer on, and a houseboat (40) that we spend the winter on, obviously in different climates. There are pros and cons to both types of vessel.

I like the cruiser for the maneuverability, smaller transient dock fees (based on size of vessel), and classic boat look. They're easier to wash and go faster too.

However, the houseboat is more comfortable as a live aboard vessel, more storage space (need room to have and store a Christmas tree!), more entertainment area, and larger galley. Bonus, they make you slow down and see the sights.

If I could have my choice of vessel (not counting the choice of mega yacht with crew in speedo's fetching my margeritas) it would be a trawler, likely a Kadey Krogen.
http://www.kadeykrogen.com/44/

or a Great Harbor, which is a really impressive boat for it's size. (and American Made!)
http://www.greatharbourtrawlers.com/gh47.html

[Muttley]

We have had two houseboats on the Ohio in the Louisville area. Our first was a 50' Gibson standard and we now have a 47' Gibson Cabin Yacht model. We keep it in all year and started shrink wrapping it three years ago. Since I don't live real close to the marina and therefore can't regularly check on it the shrink wrap gives me peace of mind.
We really enjoy the houseboat platform for the river.

[gsent]

Hope everyone on the rivers are surviving these high waters, especially the houseboaters that stay in all year.

[dahmfh]

i just bought a used 50 ft Gibson from FoxChapel and first time ever on it was to take it from Fox Chapel to Green Cove where it is now winter stored in the water Didnt get to use it except for the trip but we believe were gonna love it. any helpful suggestions on being a Houseboat owner would be Greatly appreciated !!!!!

[Grantz]

Welcome to houseboating! We actually just sold our 43' Nautaline and moved into a Motor Yacht style boat. We are really enjoying the new boat, but there are some things i miss about my old houseboat. I guess my only advice is to make sure you use it! Don't be a dock sitter. Did you buy the one at FC with the hydraulic swim platform?

[dahmfh]

Yes i did it has the Hydraulic swim platform the boat was in near excelllant condition. I had to jump on that one because i wanted that swim platform I have plans of using it alot And Thankyou