Seaworthiness of Houseboats

[Astrid]

I think a house boat would be a bad idea generally speaking and with the criteria the OP had in mind; quite possibly a cabin cruiser or a cruising catamaran might be a better solution.

[psneeld]

This would perfectly suit the OP and meets the definition of houseboat by many. Looked at some models myself for EXACTLY the same reasons/possibilities the OP was thinking.

1982 Bluewater 54 Power Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[Mr B]

A house boat is designed for inland waters and Rivers,

Its a RV or caravan on pontoons,

It is not an ocean going boat in any way shape or form,

This one is an owner built one in Fiji,

Its on aluminium pontoons,

As for going to sea in it, forget it,

[psneeld]

Originally Posted by Mr B

A house boat is designed for inland waters and Rivers,

Its a RV or caravan on pontoons,

It is not an ocean going boat in any way shape or form,

Obviously you didn't look at the link I posted just before or have a broader view of what many call houseboats. While many are what you describe...there's plenty more that aren't pontton built and can handle quite a chop.

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by psneeld

Obviously you didn't look at the link I posted just before or have a broader view of what many call houseboats. While many are what you describe...there's plenty more that aren't pontton built and can handle quite a chop.

In Australia, A house boat is just that, A house boat. inland lakes or rivers,

In the USA, you have different terminology,

The one you showed is a boat in OZ, Different than a house boat,

[SunDevil]

I'm not interested in crossing the ocean at this time, and I might need something a little more rugged than that pontoon hut (I like the concept and the design). I would also consider Fiji 'at sea'. The furthest I would get from the shore doing the great loop is 10 miles or so, I wouldn't be on a time schedule, and I would like to be able to go 60 miles during daylight hours.

Maybe this type of design with a cruising catamaran hull in the water, yet a deck that is open. It would be nice to be able to flip the windows down and have sliding doors. The only change to this design, is that the top should be flat.



And I have been to Australia, there is a lot of different terminology.

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by Boracay

I understand that there is a modern version of the houseboat that does all you desire.

It's called a trawler.

Dang right.

[Mr B]

Aussie house boats,

Dont even think about putting these in rough water of any kind,

Different country's have different idea's on what a house boat is,

In England they call them canal boats, Anjou on here has one,

Cheers,
Brian,

[delmarrey]

Don't know about Oz but we have our redneck houseboats with garden and all the amenities.

[jackdale]

Most stable position

A houseboat carrying dozens of people overturned on the lake just before 11 last night.

The houseboat was in the water a short distance off shore near the downtown Kelowna boat launch when it flipped.

The water was calm at the time.

The exact number of people on board is not known, but police say 60 people that were on board have been accounted for.

One woman is in critical condition.

It's reported that rescue crews are currently waiting for a second man of a dive team to do an underwater search to confirm all made it to safety.

The houseboat was reported to be overloaded as it's capacity is only 30 people.

National media have descended on the scene.

Houseboat Capsizes On Okanagan Lake - Kelowna News - Castanet.net

One person died.

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

Don't know about Oz but we have our redneck houseboats with garden and all the amenities.

Its certainly got some Horsepower on it, Hahahahahahaha

[pillum]

Since the OP is from the US let's look at a US definition of houseboat, because that's almost certainly what he's talking about. Websters defines it as:


Noun
A large, flat-bottomed boat with a superstructure resembling a house, usually moored and used as a residence.

The OP is not talking about a trawler, a motor cruiser, a cruising catamaran etc, all of which may be safely taken to sea depending on the sea state and their seaworthiness. He's asking if it is safe to take a US defined houseboat to sea! The answer is no... It would be stupidly dangerous to do so, especially to cross the gulf stream. He's asking for considered advice not some gung-ho comments about idiots who may have got away with such voyages in the past.

No OP, houseboats are not seaworthy, they are excellent for the conditions they are built for such as rivers, lakes, ICW etc, but even then you should voyage with caution.

[sailcruiser]

I haven't seen any comments regarding the Great Lakes so I'll chime in a very definite NO! A houseboat would be fine somedays and a death trap others. With the distance you'd have to travel to make the Great Loop I can't se how anyone could beat the odds every time. The Great Lakes can be very treacherous. 10' waves 10' apart on a bad day. Lake Michigan recorded a record 24' wave last year. Please consider a trawler or something different. I've attached a link of how most of the Great Lakes look with a strong front. SC
http://blog.chicagoweathercenter.com...n-waves-1.html

[psneeld]

All sorts of boats cruise the ICW, Great Lakes and run across to the Bahamas from 17 foot boston whalers to Pontoon boats doing the Great Loop.

I'd love to see more houseboats (much bigger range than some limited ideas here) along the ICW and less whining sailors about wakes!!!

[sailcruiser]

Originally Posted by psneeld

All sorts of boats cruise the ICW, Great Lakes and run across to the Bahamas from 17 foot boston whalers to Pontoon boats doing the Great Loop.

I'd love to see more houseboats (much bigger range than some limited ideas here) along the ICW and less whining sailors about wakes!!!

While indeed true that people make the great loop in some strange watercraft; this does not make it a good idea! I read about a guy that did it in a souped up pontoon boat recently. I cringed thinking about storms I've been caught in while in a sea worthy boat. Many people perish out on the Great Lakes underestimating their fury in a blow. SC