Thought I'd share...

Some may have seen in my profile that I list "houseboat building" as a hobby. Well, after nearly 4 years in the making, she was launched yesterday, July 12.

It's a 24-footer w/ a 50hp outboard. Goes over the water real nice.

The rearview:



The launch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF6ryM5NSB4

If you don't own property on a lake a house boat allows access to the lake like you have property on the lake. Fine that remote sand beach and hang out.

What are to tubes from, are they for this application?

Tim

The pontoons are factory; I didn't build or attach them. Back in 2005, I just bought a used pontoon boat, stripped the furniture and carpet off and started building. I live on Sebago Lake; this has been a dream of mine for about 15 years. People either love it or think I'm nuts!

Here's the short version:

Don,

That is a cool #$%%%^%^%& boat.

Hi Don,

I think that you are nuts !

I did once see a van with a thatched roof so please take some comfort from the fact that you are not alone.

Regards

Ken Hume

Thanks Mo,

I had my first Game Warden visit out on the water Saturday. Thankfully he just wanted to snap a picture. That's one test over with. I guess she's legal.


And thanks for your input, Ken. I'm guilty as charged!!

Our Barns.

Looks like fun,, and hat's off. A word of caution: When you do this kind of modification, you are drastically changing the center of gravity upwards. Or is it the point of balance?
There was a big capsize at Tobermory a couple years ago. Seems an old fishing boat had been modified several times over several years incrimentally,, and lo-and behold,, it capsized with several drowning.

A pontoon boat does seem to be a pretty good fit for this sort of thing. This is sort of what I was thinking of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4gsgKfO6R4

Thanks for the link, and your point about the center of gravity is well taken.

Many have commented on the height of the boat, but it's proven to be quite stable (thankfully!!). I tried to build it as light as possible. The frame is made of 1-by strapping. The only 2-by stock is the ridge and wall plates. There's no wall or roof sheathing: just 1x2 laths for a shingle base.

I included many wall openings to save on weight as well as let the wind go through.

She's pretty stable; I can even open up the 50hp motor for extended periods, which is something I didn't think I'd be able to do...it goes great. The more people the better (7 is about the comfort range) as passengers act as ballast. I think the floor is heavy as well: 6 pieces of 3/4-inch marine plywood.

But I'm only going out in good weather; I'm not going to push my luck!

Some recent pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Pinemoon/BoatBobbiMichael?authkey=Gv1sRgCN_MiYC93O607gE&feat=email#

clearly out of control. nice work. i like the shingling.

Thanks, toivo...
Some neat stuff regarding shingling:

Stripping

Fancy Dancy