Hey everyone i am a newbie to the houseboat world. We just bought our first houseboat and will be in the need for help as its a early 70's stardust cruiser. 40'. Hull seems to be in great shape. the people i bought it from basically just used it as a big TENT. the took most of the electrical, water, and other stuff out. i got it cheap so dont mind putting some money and hard work into it to make it the way we want. We figured it would be better for us to buy a fixer up and make it the way we want then to buy a nice one and still end up makeing it the way we want. So i first want to start by thanking everyone who helps.

Ok here we go.

1: There is not fresh water tank, so i am going to add about a 30 gallon tank. is it best to put the tank inside and add some sort of pressure tank? is so what type of pressure tank, or can i put it outside on roof and use gravity for the pressure, and if i do that will the tank break with temp gets below freezing?
2: Hot water tank, what is a good hot water system that is small, most likely not going to add a shower as it doesnt have one so its just for sink?
3: What kind of pipe should i use for the water, just pvc? or black flexible pipe?
4: what type of pipe should i use for waste? pvc?
5: If i wanted to add shower, is there kits i can buy or just build it in?
6: I know you cant dump sewer water into the lake (i keep boat in TN), But can you have your sinks and shower dump into the lake?

Well we will start with that, we are very handy when it comes to most of the work. plus this forum helps alot.

1 The first thing you need to do is read the "Newbie bargan boat warning " in the General discussion section.

2 Obtain insurance. What you discribe to me sounds pretty much uninsurable therefore you wont be able to find a marina to slip you.

To answer the rest of your questions.

Most boats have a watertank of 30 plus gallons , a pressure pump, a hot water heater of about 6 gallons, a shower, a holding tank for black water or at least a porta potty. In most areas sink and shower (grey water) can go overboard.

Keep us up to date.

Thanks for the reply.
First off i would like to say, that i may have mis repersented the boat, its not stripped down or run down by no means, its actually not in bad shape for the year. The previous owners just never used the Head or sinks or anything. they did use some of the electic and gas stuff. the had a large dock on it and it had a bath room. so that being said, we enjoy fixing things up, Houses, cars, etc. So we thought this would be a fun project. its perfectly liveable now, just not sure if the plumbing works right so i was going to just probaly put new in. Its at a slip now but am moving it to another slip at a lake closer to me. Second i can get liabilty insurance on it, thats not a problem, but full coverage is a issue i know. But my homeowners will cover any items in the boat.
Thanks again.

Since your a newbie, do you and me and your family a favor and get the bottom integrity checked out by a competent person. These old steel bottom boats can break open a hole and sink in a very short period of time.

If you think i'm tring to scare you, your right. Get it inspected.