On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 09:17:37 -0400, "sel1" wrote:

Excuse my ignorance on boats. Would you have the same comment if I were
buying an old cruiser (probably all wood) to fixup/restore. With any boat
that age I fully expect to sink some cash into it over a couple of years.
Are houseboats more of a terror than a cruiser would be?

I have read many newsgroups and web sites and there are many people who
travel by houseboat. What do you mean you you say "If you don't want to go
ANYWHERE". There seems to be a rather high demand for rental houseboats on
the Rideau canal system, the great lakes etc etc. From my visits to marinas,
there are far more houseboats than cruisers to rent.

Anxious to share your experiences. I really don't want to make a "huge"
mistake.

I have a Gibson 36 housboat.

The boat is very well suited for its intended use: gunkholing and weekending
around the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Delta area. We have over 1,000
miles of navigable waterways to explore.

Here's what I like about my houseboat:

At 36 x 12 feet, it is very roomy. The boat sleeps 6 adults, but more than
that, it has a great deal of deck space for hanging out.

It's basically a big ol' scow, drawing 22 inches (plus the outdrive). This
means that it is very easy to run the boat right up to shore, step off onto the
beach with a line and tie up to a tree. It's also a good way to develop the
habit of knowing what the tide is doing when you come to shore (don't ask).

It is very economical to operate. Mine has a single 145 HP Volvo, and burns
(I'm guessing) just a couple of g.p.h. With its huge engine compartment, it is
very easy to work on, as well.

Here's what's not so good--for my purposes:

It's not suitable for taking off the river. A houseboat has very low freeboard,
a great deal of side area and a flat bottom. Even on the river, it's like
driving a big forklift with a sail. Taking it out of the protected waters of
the Delta would be nothing short of disaster. I'm looking for a boat that I can
take out on the San Francisco Bay and possibly outside, so my next boat will be
a trawler.

I bought my boat about three years ago. I did not get an out-of-the-water
survey, for which I have slight regrets. While I did get an excellent buy, the
survey could have eliminated a few surprises. I would have been able to plan
for some of the larger expenditures I've had to make. I would also have paid
less for insurance, as most insurance carriers will require one. I would NEVR
buy any boat without a hull and engine survey. I'd select my own surveyors and
hang over their shoulder as they did the inspections.

Overall, we have enjoyed ours.

HTH,
Joe Parsons



Steve

If you don't want to go ANYWHERE and want to live on the water, a
houseboat would suit that need.

But do I sense a troll at work here?

If you're for real...don't buy that 40 year old houseboat! You'll be
sorry!

John C.