Hey everyone,



I have just recently started looking into what it would cost to live on a houseboat full time. Not necessarily the cost of the boat itself, but the other costs, such as mooring, pump out, water and electric, annual maintenance (on an older houseboat), things like that. I know insurance is different for every boat but I am just looking for some average costs, and things that someone who is not that familiar with boats might not think to question.



Haul out/launching

Hull maintenance

Electrical issues



Also, if anyone has any advice on how to go about finding a fairly decent boat for under 50K, doesn't have to be super nice, just dependable and something that I won't be scared will sink out from under me or anything like that, and if that is even a reasonable possibility. I have seen plenty of boats from the mid 1980's and up for under 50K, but I don't know how reliable those boats are and that sort of thing. I'm single and don't need a lot of space so I'm not super concerned with needing a large boat, I'm content with most things. I'm more concerned with reliability and something that I could conceivably last me for about 5-10 yrs.



ANY advice is greatly appreciated. I'm in the DFW area in Texas, but any information within or around Texas would be more information than I have right now. Thanks so much everyone!!! Happy sailing...

Haul out $6,00 per ft, maintainace $800 per year not counting bottom work. Older Houseboats, some had aluminum wiring. Watch that. I can find you a decent boat under $50,000 that will pass survey. 45 to 55 ft.

Galveston, Texas

Floating docks, $ 135 an month included elect, phone & cable available

Pump out $15 up depending on tank size.

Annual maintenance, well on a houseboat it might no be too bad. I have to do the sail boat every year because of the sun light.

Haul out, space to keep in in while you re-do it, lurching $ 500

He does have live broads not houseboats boats there but he does adjust the rent if you have more than 1 A/C.

"Also, if anyone has any advice on how to go about finding a fairly decent boat for under K, doesn't have to be super nice"

Build it or have one build if for you, In Texas it is too hot for houseboat's with no insulation.

Hell for $ 50,000 I can sell you the one I am building now and make me another for me.

jack

I just bought a 52' Three Buoy Sunseeker houseboat for less then 10k. It needs some cosmetic work and I'm putting in a rebuilt engine. I have it at Lake Texoma and I find that the slips for a boat this size range from three to four hundred a month. These are covered slips with electric and water availible. I live on the boat and my electric has averaged about fifty dollars per month so far. This is mostly from electric heaters to keep me warm (Oct, Nov, Dec). For my money I enjoy the flat bottom barge _style_ houseboats because of the living space it gives. I have found the Marinas themselves to be very competitive and some are outright cutthroats to the competition, so shop around and you'll get a good deal. Make sure you check out what the marina offers in the "off" season. Some turn off their water when the weather freezes.