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RaySea Lady · 30-09-2010, 20:16

Sorry, I just have to vent a bit here.

My boat is a Bluewater, made by Bluewater Motor Yatch in Mora Minnesota. They have been making this Coastal Cruiser style of boat since 1982 and they have all been sold as Coastal Cruisers.

I recently called a marina for a slip reservation, he asked what type of boat I had and as soon as I told him I had a Bluewater he immediately came back with "Oh, it's a houseboat".

If I do a search on houseboats or the Louisville Houseboat show, they are basically a river craft, square design and on pontoons. I am not trying to downgrade houseboats in any way, they have their purpose, but, I would like to know where this thinking comes from.

This type of thing has happened several times this summer.

Does anyone know why people would think of a Bluewater as a houseboat??

**skipmac** · 30-09-2010, 20:35

Well you know how people like to put labels on things, keep the world ordered and everything in it's proper place.

Then why the houseboat label? Well I'm sure you realize that the Bluewater is not the most common style of vessel. It's somewhat in between. Not what I would call a houseboat, having lived on a large inland lake populated with hundreds of things that look like a single wide trailer on a large, flat bottomed hull.

Then it's not your typical power boat shape like a Bertram. It has very low freeboard for the length and a very large, full length cabin so in some ways it will superficially resemble a houseboat.

So, to some people that don't usually see the inland style houseboat but are used to the classic style of motor yacht, this will fall into the houseboat category.

If it really bothers you, you can always pick up a good used 52' Hatteras.

RaySea Lady · 30-09-2010, 21:00

There is a 44 foot Bertram docked behind me and, no thanks, I will keep my Bluewater.

The boat is different by design, with shallow draft (36 inch), tunnel hull, low center of gravity, wide prop spacing, and extra interior space. It was all these things that attracted me to it.

Many have asked about the low freeboard. It has a 53 inch freeboard with reverse tines and planes at 14 mph (top speed 23mph) which lifts my bow another 24 inches depending on my tab settings. This has been quite sufficient for the coastal cruising I have done.

I had it in 8 to 10 foot waves this past summer for two days on Lake Huron and had no issues at all. She even surfs very well in a following sea...

I have a DVD of the original sea trials on Lake Superior in 12 foot waves and the boat handled very well.

I guess it is different than say a Bertram, however, to me, calling it a houseboat is about the same as if someone asks you what kind of car you have and you say I have a Mercury and they say, "Oh, you have a bicycle".

**skipmac** · 30-09-2010, 21:18

Please don't misunderstand. You asked why some call it a houseboat and I tried to answer.

I was not in any way criticizing the boat and you certainly don't need to defend it to me. I am very aware of the design and goals of the coastal cruiser concept and the Bluewater seems to meet the design criteria. Different boats for different boaters and different uses. If they all looked just the same dockwalking would be a boring hobby.

It seems that it irks you for the boat to be called a houseboat but you know what, I assume you bought the boat for yourself and not for the guy sitting behind a desk at the marina. Why should you care what anyone calls it? If it does what you want it to do then be happy. If it still bugs you, just remember, you're on a boat cruising and he's not.

Stillraining · 30-09-2010, 21:33

Nice post Skip...and I agree.

A own what most call a condo on the water...doesn't bother me one bit...I actually take it as a compliment..Iv been in some seriously cool condos..

....now do you want 2 or 3 ice cubes in your mount gay..

**skipmac** · 30-09-2010, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stillraining

Nice post Skip...and I agree.

A own what most call a condo on the water...doesn't bother me one bit...I actually take it as a compliment..Iv been in some seriously cool condos..

If my boat was a little more condo on the water like I would probably get more support from my wife and daughter.

And I've seen some seriously cool houseboats; multi-story, sunken tubs, walnut paneled walls, basically a mansion on a barge. Wouldn't take it out in any kind of weather but what a waterfront hangout.

anjou · 30-09-2010, 22:30

Im not sure what this boat is either. Like a duck billed platapus, its neither fish nor fowl. Sure keeps the mono/cat debate something to think about though

Ishmael · 01-10-2010, 01:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by anjou

Im not sure what this boat is either. Like a duck billed platapus, its neither fish nor fowl. Sure keeps the mono/cat debate something to think about though

I think that would be called a "catamavan"

RaySea Lady · 01-10-2010, 04:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by skipmac

It seems that it irks you for the boat to be called a houseboat but you know what, I assume you bought the boat for yourself and not for the guy sitting behind a desk at the marina. Why should you care what anyone calls it? If it does what you want it to do then be happy. If it still bugs you, just remember, you're on a boat cruising and he's not.

Great Point ! Thanks.

I guess it does IRK me, which is probably why I felt a need to vent. Probably pride getting in the way of Logic...

RiverRat · 01-10-2010, 05:32

If it makes you feel any better, I went out to Yachtworld to look up what they look like and I said 'ohhh... THIS is what we need'.

It sounds like coastal cruiser is a perfect name for it.

David_Old_Jersey · 01-10-2010, 05:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by anjou

Im not sure what this boat is either. Like a duck billed platapus, its neither fish nor fowl. Sure keeps the mono/cat debate something to think about though

So what wind speed do they put the first reef in?

Vasco · 01-10-2010, 06:12

I've seen a few of these on the waterway and my first impression was, wow, what a big houseboat! Sorry but that is what they look like.

Shrew · 01-10-2010, 06:42

I think because of their unique design, the Bluewater has been frequently misinterpretted. I too have always thought of them as a sort of a hybrid. A Saltwater, coastal cruising houseboat-ish yacht. Now, i'm not saying that is what it is. We all have to sort things into tidy little categories and the Bluewater's uniqueness leaves us with no group with which to lump it.

I have a few in my area, and my wife drools over the space and livibility all the time. "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet". Who gives a damn what people think it is or call it? I would simply chuckle to myself and think "Ya, all this space and livibility is just horrible".