Trawler vs. Houseboat

[Tony B]

Since my sailboat hasn't sold yet I have time to think, which for me, is not neccessarily a good thing. My best purchases were always on instinct so I will know the right boat when it comes along.

Anyhoooooo, while surfing yachtworld.com I came across a houseboat by accident. That got me to thinking. I realize that they are not sturdy and I can't imagine how bad windage could be as compared to a trawler. Almost all of the houseboats are gas engines with limited fuel tankage. I don't know anything about engines of any kind but inspite of myself, I learned a lot about diesels and MPG from this forum.

What other drawbacks are there to houseboats and what kind of milage can I expect from a 40 footer? Am I talking miles per gallon or is it gallons per mile?

Thanks in advance

Tony B

 

[Fotoman]

Tony B wrote:
What other drawbacks are there to houseboats?

*Just about everything you can think of.

 

[jleonard]

Several years ago we used to do some cruising with a couple who had a 38 ft "Coastal Barracuda" and twin Chevy 350 I/os. He would get about 1 gal/mile similar to most gas engine boats in that size range. His issue was he had only 2* 50 gallon tanks so we were always waiting for him to get fuel.

Windage was a definate problem for the boat. The slightest puff of wind, especially when it changed direction, and he was always the very first in the anchorage to swing. That almost always led to an issue, especially in the middle of the night.

The boat had killer room though.

The boat made many trips to Block Island, Nantucket, NYC, etc.

 

[Tom.B]

Tony B wrote:What other drawbacks are there to houseboats and what kind of milage can I expect from a 40 footer?

*They are very ugly and don't look like a boat, not even a little.

(sorry... I'm no help) ;-)

 

[Tony B]

GonzoF1 wrote:Tony B wrote:What other drawbacks are there to houseboats and what kind of milage can I expect from a 40 footer?

*They are very ugly and don't look like a boat, not even a little.

(sorry... I'm no help) ;-)

*Actually you and everyone else have been a big help. You have confirmed my own thoughts on the matter even though I know nothing about them.

And Gonzo, yes, life is too short to own an ugly boat.

 

[ARoss]

Always wondered if Bluewater boats were considered houseboats. Never been on one, but it sure looks like they don't have much freeboard. Any forum folks have one or know about them?

 

[Codger2]

Old Stone wrote:
Maybe there is a houseboat forum out there. :no::no::no:

******** I'm sure there is! :frustrated:

 

[Tony B]

Old Stone wrote:
....*Maybe there is a houseboat forum out there. .....

*I have been looking and havent found a good one yet.

If I bought a houseboat, it would be strictly inland waterways off the Missisippi and Tenn-Tom. I'm not real keen on the idea, just temped because you can get a lot of boat, if you want to call it that. for the money. I think fuel costs would outweigh any other factor, but was just curious.

 

[Dswizzler]

And now for a completely take, I owned a houseboat for 19 years prior to moving to my current boat. It all depends on where you plan to boat and how far you want to go. You will not find anymore square footage for the dollar then you will on a house boat and if your longest run will be less the 80 miles in protected water it is not a bad choice. They are relatively CHEAP for the side of the boat you buy and the Coastal you looked at has a great bow for relaxing protects the typical low bow on other housboats. I've alway been more about functionality then bling, so if some folks call them ulgy, so be it. We raised on kids spending on average 20 weekends a year on the Sacramento Delta on a 36ft Gibson with a flybridge. Loved the boat and had so much fun, and saved so much $$ that my wife decided it was time we bought something to go out in the SF Bay and perhaps to mexico and beyond. So don't sell houseboats short.

This page has alot of active boaters on it. But you go to any marina and look at the boats in the slips. 80% never go out. many of those that do go out are so over built for where they go. Who needs a bow 12 ft off the water to tread in many of the lakes and protected bay in this country. Wo needs a diesel that would love to run for 100 hours straight, if your longest run will be 2 hours. Many are Boatels..(boats used as motels). So it all depends on where you want to go and what you can afford. Don't spend alot of money on a boat thay will take you down the coast, if you plan to stay in protected water houseboats offer alot of advantages. Rafting up together, with the flat decks to walk between, make it very easy to enjoy your friends. I know alot of follks here, wouldnever dare to be that close to another boat, but with small or just kids aboard and in a safe anchorage, it is a huge plus.

So say what you like, it might be the perfect step into boating without spending alot of money. As for fuel , I would get 2-3 miles per gallon with a single 350 motor and outdrive runing about 12-13 miles per hour. Not in a rush enjoying the view. My longest stay out was about 2 weeks. We had a generator,10ft zodiac, propane run the stove and fridge. Now a bad way to get started.

Again just my 2 cents,

Dswizzler

 

[Dswizzler]

As for Bluewaters, the same can be said, while we all had houseboats one of our buddies at a 42 ft Bluewater, great boat depending on what you are doing. Protected waters and short runs a good boat. I would not take a Bluewater out in the open water on a bet., but then the same can be said for alot of other boats as well.

Not everyone needs a trawler to enjoy being on the water....but if you want to really go somewhere, it is a great way to go. I

*

 

[Edelweiss]

House boats like everything else have their place, more house than boat though. I have never owned one, but my family rented one on the Columbia River and it was wonderful!! 50' with two levels easily accommodated our family and guests. This one was twins with small Nisson diesels. Some version of a tunnel drive, I was told made it fairly shallow draft. Fairly flat bottomed, but on the river was very stable and more like a barge. Beautifully decorated and very roomy with full sized furniture and real beds. On a large body of water they would be a disaster. But on our river systems and lakes they are a modern expression of the 18th / 19th century river boats. They are not for everyone but in their own element really something to experience.

 

[FF]

HOUSEBOAT ?

Trumphys were called houseboats in their day.

Its a name that covers a lot of ground.

A GRP Trumphy would fit most "trawler " owners to a T , tho were larger ( 55 to 65ft) than some folks want.

 

[markpierce]

One of my berth neighbors has a something-like-40-foot houseboat.* He and his wife live on it.* In the berth next to him is*his something-like-40-foot auxiliary sloop.* I presume he prefers to use the sailboat to boat about, but I've never seen either vessel leave their berths.

Houseboats are for very specialized uses and highly limited geographical areas.* If your boundaries are larger, get a "real" boat.* Where houseboat use is appropriate, you can almost always*rent one.

 

[Sailor of Fortune]

All delusions of grandeur aside, I believe a house boat makes a lot of sense for most of the marina patrons. When I lived in Boston, I used to tell my liveaboard friends that they should replace their current (usually sailboat) with a house boat. Each one got offended. The fact of the matter is that they had an excuse why they couldn't go out today... to windy, not windy enough, my lines are perfectly adjusted yada yada yada.

 

[Moonstruck]

Capt. Jack is right.* For tying to a dock, house boats are about as good as anything else.* For coastal cruising, they are just not suited.* OK, if you wait for just the right conditions maybe.* But that is not real cruising.* Live aboard at the dock?* Engines are not even needed.

 

[swampu]

Tony, I don't know what I Have to tell the truth! Hell I might have a houseboat. I get 1 mile/gallon. I know what house boats are and they are very popular up the rivers and I know several people that have them here on the coast. My hull was a shrimp boat design in the 50's and 60's, now its probably a houseboat compared to some of these vessels on this board. Buy what makes since to you at the time. Try to buy it used and get a good deal that way you could sell it when you get tired of it. Good luck.

 

[Marin]

There are not many houseboat-type boats in the PNW. But there are some makes--- Cruise-A-Home comes to mind--- that are actually somewhat seaworthy. There are a couple of them in our marina and in years past at least one of them was a regular visitor to the marine parks we frequented in the islands.* Don't know how they are powered--- I recall the one we used to see a lot sounded like it was gas powered.* But they seem to do very well in the normal water conditions we get around here.* There is apparently an owners association for these boats.* Photos are off the web.

*

 

[healhustler]

A reasonable priced, decent handling and fairly seaworthy option I'd consider is the 40-60 ft. Carri-Craft Catamarans. *A bunch of them were built in the 60's and 70's, and then again after 1990 when the company when the rights to the design was purchased. *There's a lot of the 57's out there with gas and diesel both, and on both coasts. *I know at least one loop cruiser that has a 57' with 427 Chevys and no desire to change them. *These boats are not hard to push and will get pretty good mileage below 10 knts., but can go up to 19 or so if needed. *The best of them are over 200K, and the older ones can be found for near 100K or below.

 

[Great Laker]

Here is an interesting concept I ran across called a Swift-Trawler-Cat, and is from a new company and product line by Aerocat Marine, LLC, Lake City, PA.

It is being marketed as a 36ft*liveaboard and loop capable boat.* With 2-115 hp outboards,*they claim*22 mph at 2 mpg, and a 300 mi range. In no wake zones on 1 engine, they claim 5 mpg and 750 nmi range.* It comes with many cabing layouts, and optional covered rear deck and*flybridge.

If you set aside the fact that it is a houseboat, it has many attractive features: low draft, low height, good mileage, comfortable interior, upper and rear decks, side isles for easy docking etc.* You would have to be careful crossing the Gulf...

(I have no relationship with anyone there or the company)

http://www.aerocatboats.com/special_offer/

http://www.aerocatboats.com/special_offer/special_offer_003_gallery/

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[Capn Craig]

Bluewater boats are made in Mora Minnesota. They come in many variations, Here where I live, on the Mississippi in Iowa, they are fairly common. There is one in town that looks like a big water yacht. It is about 45' with a pilot house and flybridge and a very hign freeboard bow and hull. It is fairly handsome. I don't view it as the highest quality but it is probably a very practical, and a very good value. By appearance, it looks capable of the Great Lakes. Most Bluewaters are more houseboat like with low freebords. They are a bit overstyled in my opinion, but most people think they are quite nicely styled. In my opinion, they tend to look dated fairly quickly, but that is a subjective thing. If your willing to go slow, you have to be if interested in a trawler and not a trawler look alike with twin 400 HP engines, gas consumption of the houseboat won't be too bad. Personally, I would avoid sterndrives like the plague. V=drives or outboards will be more reliable, or at least cheaper to fix. Gasoline engines are not a bad way to go, due to gas availability on the inland rivers. If the style suits you, go for it. WHO GIVES A RATS REAR END WHAT OTHERS THINK. Personally I like the traditional style of the trawler, and have no desire for a house boat, but that's justme.

 

[Woodsong]

Houseboats are a lot of boat for the $$$, if you can get over their lack of a pointy bow. As previously stated, probably 95% of boaters could get by with a houseboat most of their boating time.
Personally I think the current bluewater cruisers are about the ugliest boats out there:

Tony, the premium river houseboats are going to be the Pluckybaum and perhaps the Harbor Master (coastal- the model that has the pointy bow and pilothouse). Summerset and Sharpe are probably the top 2 "regular" houseboat builders. On the river system I find quite a few houseboats that are diesel powered which is a great option. I'd probably buy one of the harbor master coastal's with diesels if they had older ones (cheaper ones) on the market.

But all things are a trade off....you loose some seaworthiness, you loose maybe a sense of class, etc. but you sure get a heck of a lot boat for the $$$. Most houseboaters though rarely leave the dock except under ideal conditions due to flat hull, low draft, and high windage.

 

[Tony B]

Thanks for all of the replys.
My main goal is to get out of the Gulf and move inland. Dodging hurricanes is gettin' old and we have potentially a 'big one' right now that is still not doing anything. Some expect it to grow into a monster when it hits the Gulf in the next few days. I am on first flight this morning to get back to land. Hurricane evacuations began yesterday morning on the deep water rigs and will continue all day today.
Right now the wind is 25-30K out here and yesterday it was only 5-8 knots. The day before that was flat calm.
Anyway, here is my plan..... Up north in the summer and down south in the winter. I like the Galveston Bay area and the only problem, which could be a big one is getting from New Orleans area to Mobile Bay to get to the Tenn-Tom waterway. This area is pretty much open all the way with a few barrier islands to block some of the wind. A houseboat, as I think of one, would not make the trip if unexpected weather kicked up. I guess I could just say "Bye Bye" to Texas. I don't have any real ties there except my woodworking business. I could just sell it off.
With a 2 weeks on/2 weeks off work schedule, I can live just about anywhere. A trawler is still my first choice and there were a few diesle houseboats on yachtworld.com.
If I don't sell my sailboat, I think I will just take it up to Kentucky Lake area.

 

[FF]

The Pilgrim 40 strikes me as a tiny but nifty Trumphy style house boat.

Great , cheap cruising on the ICW and other protected water.

 

[Tony B]

I know houseboats are built cheaply so I'll ask this question.......Since their bottoms are relatively flat, do the bottoms have a core or are they solid fiberglass?

 

[hogrider46]

Tony,

I traded my 36' sailboat for a 32' Grand Banks.* I also own a 46' houseboat.* I kept it on Clear Lake for 5 years (in South Shore Harbour).* It was my "Kemah Kondo" and gave many days of fun times.* I moved it home to SW Louisiana recently.

Only 2 big negatives of the houseboat are seaworthyness and fuel consumption.* It would take a 3' wave fine but any bigger became a problem fast.* It got 1.5 mpg without the generator an 1.25 mpg with the generator.

Bottom line is you need to decide how and where you will be boating then decide what best fits your intended use.* ALL boats*are a compromise*and no one design is a do all.

*

*

*

 

[rwidman]

SeaHorse II wrote:Old Stone wrote:
Maybe there is a houseboat forum out there. :no::no::no:

******** I'm sure there is! :frustrated:

Well, there is:

http://www.houseboatmagazine.com/fusetalk/forum//messageview.cfm?catid=88&threadid=12179

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*

 

[swampu]

Wow, don't go to the houseboat tread. Some things can not be unseen....

 

[healhustler]

From time to time, I've had to appreciate someone engineering efforts in houseboat conversions. *This one was for sale in Ft. Lauderdale up until last year. *I dropped the guy a line to see it it was still available, but it is indeed, a unique boat. *Not sure how easy handling the lines, ground tackle or locking would be, but you can't do much more with a 28 ft. hull, and it's a Nauset hull on top of that. *I almost bought a 28 Nauset Bridgedeck some years ago, but it had a marinized GM 6.5 diesel that I didn't want any part of, but a very efficient hull with wonderful lines and great freeboard. *This conversion had a Nissan Diesel, I think.

 

[healhustler]

Ah, wait a minute. *Here's a close-up of the starboard bow quarter showing the ground tackle and handle-bar access around the sides. *Nice storage on the bow there, but I wonder if you can get to it from the helm area without crawling out the window. *Interesting though.

 

[hollywood8118]

healhustler wrote:
From time to time, I've had to appreciate someone engineering efforts in houseboat conversions. *This one was for sale in Ft. Lauderdale up until last year. *I dropped the guy a line to see it it was still available, but it is indeed, a unique boat. *Not sure how easy handling the lines, ground tackle or locking would be, but you can't do much more with a 28 ft. hull, and it's a Nauset hull on top of that. *I almost bought a 28 Nauset Bridgedeck some years ago, but it had a marinized GM 6.5 diesel that I didn't want any part of, but a very efficient hull with wonderful lines and great freeboard. *This conversion had a Nissan Diesel, I think.

*Not that I have anything against a houseboat for inland waters...............

But they sure did get the name right on the above boat!

HOLLYWOOD