Trailerable Houseboats and Small Houseboats
Houseboats come in various shapes and sizes. One of the allures of trailerable houseboats is that owners can tow their houseboat to many destinations, rather than being docked at one lake. Many of the modern designs of trailerable houseboats allow a lot of functionality you find in many of the bigger houseboats.
Many of today’s trailerable houseboats offer many amenities. Most are big enough for two people to stay comfortably. You can find showers, beds, kitchens and dinettes. The layouts usually allow one to easily move about the cabin. Many also come with luxurie
s as air conditioning, and dual helm operation, fly bridges.
Trailerable houseboats are usually constructed of fiberglass or aluminum. Aluminum and fiberglass allow builders to build a relatively strong and light-weight hull. Being small and light-weight allows these houseboats to explore waterways bigger houseboats may not be able to.
A trailerable houseboat can weigh 5,000-9,000 lbs. depending on the model, and options. Trailer weight can add another 1,700-3,000 lbs. So you will need a stout tow vehicle. Most houseboats are purchased with a tandem axle trailer.
Since trailerable houseboats need to be light-weight, you will find them powered with an ourboard motor in the 40 HP-150HP range. Some models can achieve speeds into the lower 20 knots. These smaller motors give good fuel mileage as well as enough power to maneuver the craft.
If you are looking to buy a trailerable houseboat, you can find used houseboats on the market from names such as: Kayot, Campercu, Land-N-Sea, Pocket-Camper, Campercu, Terra Marina, Sealand, Trail-It, SeaCamper, Steury Houseboats, Yukon Delta. Most of the above brands are no longer manufactured, but they still have a strong following.
Here are a few companies that build trailerable houseboats:
Adventure Craft Houseboats – Builds a 28’ LOA fiberglass houseboat that features a 12” draft. These houseboats feature a standard 135 HP Honda outboard, flybridge, and aluminum trailer. They claim speeds up to 25 MPH. Adventure Craft Houseboats are build by Niemela Industries in Calumet, MI.
Website: adventurecraft.com
Catamaran Cruisers - Catamaran Cruisers builds a lil hobo which is 8’ x 31’ model. This houseboat is a fiberglass composite pontoon style hull and superstructure. Catamaran Cruisers has been building houseboats for nearly 30 years, and claim to have nearly 4700 satisfied customers worldwide. These houseboats are build in Nashville, TN
Website: catamarancruiser.com
Nomad Houseboats – Nomad builds an aluminum hull houseboat that is 26’ 6” LOA, and 8’6” beam. Power can be a maximum of 150 HP, with claimed speeds of nearly 30 MPH.Nomad Houseboats are manufactured in Phillipsburg, MO. One unique design feature of the Nomad model is an optional retractable roof. The cabin lowers 2’ to allow more economical towing.
Website: nomadhouseboats.com
Stoll Manufacturing – Stoll manufactures the Travel Wave 360 trailerable houseboat. This houseboat is an aluminum hull pontoon style houseboat. The Travel Wave 360 offers a patented pontoon lift system, which lifts the pontoons to the top of the houseboat, to allow for more economical towing. The Travel Wave 360 comes in two sizes, a 30’ and 36’. Maximum power is 150 HP, with claimed speeds of 10 MPH with a 90 HP outboard motor. Stoll manufactures these houseboats in Marysville, KS
Website: travelwave360.com
If you are looking for a good way to do some “boat camping”, a trailerable houseboat may be the choice for you. New houseboats are sold factory direct or through dealers. Used trailerable houseboats can be found through many sources online. Whichever you choose, take your time, and research your purchase. Talk with other owners to find out what they like and dislike. Then launch your houseboat and enjoy your time on the water.
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written by Charlie Butts , September 20, 2010
written by Dan S , November 25, 2010
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