hiya
Here in Norfolk UK we have hire boats on the broads which are flat backed
with a wheelhouse. A caravan can be reversed on the back so that you can
live in the caravan while afloat. good idea

fragged

"Bill" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have any plans for a barge that would comfortably float a
36 foot camper chained to the deck. Prefer wood with glass over than
steel, but nothing is set in concrete. Plan to use it as a summer home
as property is so expensive. Drive it on in late spring, drive it off
in mid fall. Thanx.

Interesting concept. A couple of things to consider in your
planning...'cuz living on the water is a wee bit different from living
on land:

Waste (black water) disposal: RVs dump waste holding tanks via
gravity...boats are pumped out through a deck fitting...so you're gonna
have to figure out how to modify your RV's holding tank to be pumped out
unless you want to drive it off to an RV dump station every time it gets
full. You cannot replumb to flush the toilet overboard...that's illegal.

The good news is, unless you're planning to put this deus ex machina on
Lake George NY or Lake Winnipesaukee NH, you don't have to hold your
gray water...it can go directly overboard. But still, another plumbing
modification-- either to the plumbing to allow your sinks and shower to
drain directly overboard or to the gray water tank so it can be pumped out.

You'll either have put the barge where there's a mobile pumpout service
that can come to you, or have a means of moving it to a dock that has
pumpout facilities. Or, sewer connections for both tanks.

Taking on water shouldn't be an issue...a fill and a hose to stick in it
is pretty much universal. But you still have to be able to get to a
source of water.

You'll also need a source of power to recharge your batteries if you
want any light or even water--your water pump needs power. If you have a
generator, all you need is fuel for it...but if you don't...anyhow, just
thought I'd mention it.

Also, if the barge will be permanently moored, you may need permits to
do it.

All things to consider...'cuz there's just a WEE bit more to living in a
camper on a barge on the water than just driving the RV onto the barge
and chaining it down for the summer.

Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://www.seaworthy.com/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html


Bill wrote:
Does anyone have any plans for a barge that would comfortably float a
36 foot camper chained to the deck. Prefer wood with glass over than
steel, but nothing is set in concrete. Plan to use it as a summer home
as property is so expensive. Drive it on in late spring, drive it off
in mid fall. Thanx.

How about driving a motorhome on to a barge with a set of dyno rollers to power
a prop, or a paddle wheel!
Should be lots of room in the barge for water, and holding tanks.

As some of you mentioned, yes, we have given this a little more than
just a quick thought. We have a gen set, so power isn't a problem. For
blackwater we are thinking of an Electrasan style disposal system, and
we have even thought of a composting toilet, althoughmost harbors have
mobile pumpout boats. Potable water, and fuel will be transported by a
small boat. It is a trailer, so no power for side paddles, however we
plan to mount a motor on it so that it is a power boat and beats most
of the very restrictive house boat laws. I like the idea of the double
hull idea, similar to a cat. I hadn't thought of some of the points
you brought up, especially the lack of large equipment to move things.
Thanx for all of your replys, keep thinking. This idea seems to be
catching on.



On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 16:34:55 GMT, Bill wrote:

Does anyone have any plans for a barge that would comfortably float a
36 foot camper chained to the deck. Prefer wood with glass over than