Floating Cottage

[jlk77]

Hello all --

I've been considering buying a boat to be used primarily on weekends for fun on the lake. Here's where my situation changes a bit. I've been thinking about keeping moored in a small town a couple hours from my home where I could use it as a cottage on the weekends.

Anyone have experience with this kind of concept? Advice? How big should I go??

 

[QC]

Re: Floating Cottage

Welcome aboard jlk!! I moved this to Boat Topics as Dockside is sort of boat free and I think you'll get more focused responses here. How many people will you need to sleep? How big is the lake?

 

[Les Robb]

Re: Floating Cottage

Also consider how well you can rough it. Let's face it, any boat under 30' or so without at least a 1/2 shower and galley can get real cramped in two days. Unless your young and athletic v-berths are somewhat less than comfortable and without air conditioning the summer can get pretty hot & sticky. Many years ago I thought about it but after working on boats as long as I have decided to forget it unless I could get a boat with all the comforts of home (away from home on the water) Just give me 120 volts, AC, Shower,
Fridge, Galley, and a comfortable bed and design a boat to fit the above.

Not trying to discourage you, just a few thoughts to ponder. Good luck on your endeavor.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Floating Cottage

I think Les answered this pretty well. Although, I gotta ask one question, are considering a Mooring or a dock slip. One of the reasons I ask is that with you a couple hours away, I would prefer my boat at the Dock rather than on a mooring bouy due to the fact that in my expereince, the boat at the dock get watched a bit better by the dock attendants...

As far as How big to go, bigger is better when considering accomadations to live aboard. A 20' cuddy can get really small in a hurry for two people for a weekend....

 

[rbh]

Re: Floating Cottage

following in step with the other guys, if you are moored, will your boat have enough power in the batteries to run the bilage pump in the event of a heavy rain or hopefully not a leak.
rob

 

[werthert]

Re: Floating Cottage

Wondering if he knows his post got moved?

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Floating Cottage

Should be a title still in the other section and it will link him here...

 

[QC]

Re: Floating Cottage

There's a redirect . . .

I think Les answered this pretty well.

Me too . . .

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Floating Cottage

50 footer, not an inch smaller.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Floating Cottage

For 2 people, 40ft is plenty big enough if designed correctly. One bedroom, one bath/toilet room, one living area that has kitchen/lounge etc and the lounge converts to beds when visitors want to stay. The roof is where the tents go for any rugrats.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Floating Cottage

i have seen some nice pontoon type house boat . small efficiency apt. under the 30 ft range. fresh water is the hardest to deal with. weekend use a gas grill w side burner, port a potty, solar battery charger, paper plates.

 

[RManuell]

Re: Floating Cottage

I could see myself in this one.
What is it?
Do you have a link?

Thanks

 

[allpoints360]

Re: Floating Cottage

The floating cottage idea is such lifestyle thing. With it being a couple of hours away, it can become a chore to prepare to spend any time on it. It's great at the beginning, or if your lifestyle allows for it.

I had a sailboat that I used to stay aboard on weekends when I was younger and single. It was great to mess with the boat and stay around on at the docks for the weekends. There were many other "boaters" who did the same thing, so it was like a little club. I was all about it for the first summer, then about half time for the second summer, then by the third summer, not so much at all.

Looking back, I'm glad I did it. But the next time something like this become a possibility for me, I will have more time than just weekends to spend. I would want seasons at a time.

Good luck.

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: Floating Cottage

I have a 2655 Bayliner that serves as our weekend base. We are only 20 mins from the lake, so sometimes we get weeknights there too. We are looking to move up, but right now the unique size serves (barely) as a place we can sleep and eat, while also being fast enough to pull a tube and cover some miles if needed. We also have a jetski for the watersports, in anticipation of getting a bigger, slower, gas hog boat.

Which is my central point - if you truly have a cottage like the Lil Hobo pontoon boat, it will not be fast or fun, so you might need a runabout as a companion.

 

[jlk77]

Re: Floating Cottage

Thanks for all the insight guys. I misspoke and was planning on docking a boat. The location would likely be Lake Huron. I do live near water (in fact only blocks away), but really like the concept of leaving the city for a quieter place with out all the distractions. It'd likely only be 2 people, with occasionally a 3rd from time to time.

What do you guys think about this boat;

http://windsor.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...3-HARD-TOP-EXPRESS-CRUISER-W0QQAdIdZ160246637

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Floating Cottage

Think about a houseboat with a basic skiff for going around. A 'boat cottage" is all cottage, unless you move to cruising.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Floating Cottage

Thanks for all the insight guys. I misspoke and was planning on docking a boat. The location would likely be Lake Huron. I do live near water (in fact only blocks away), but really like the concept of leaving the city for a quieter place with out all the distractions. It'd likely only be 2 people, with occasionally a 3rd from time to time.

What do you guys think about this boat;

http://windsor.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...3-HARD-TOP-EXPRESS-CRUISER-W0QQAdIdZ160246637

Nice boat. Sounds like a fun plan... BUT! Do understand that with a vessel that large, it will either have to be hauled and stored during the winters (I noticed the ad was from Ontario) or a bubbler system will have to be employed at the dock to prevent freeze up. IF the marina even offers overwintering. Something to check out!

 

[Les Robb]

Re: Floating Cottage

As I mentioned in my first post (anything under 30') , but this does look like a doable 30ish. Now bear in mind your talking a lot of years on this boat and even though the asking price is 11 grand you could be buying a pig in a poke.

Due to the age alone I would recommend a survey and would like to see the costs associated with winter storage etc. You sure don't need a boat that you spend all your weekend on taking care of problems.

I know because it was my business to take care of other people's problems and it normally (depended on length) cost them $250.00 to $500.00 dollars a month. But, when they got to the dock all was OK and she was spotless, fueled and ready to cast off.

All I'm suggesting is make sure you know the extra costs before jumping overboard.

PS: See if you have room to add a generator at a later date if you want to take an extended cruise. Otherwise your tied to one marina after another.

Again best of luck

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Floating Cottage

Hi Jlk -- welcome to iboats. As for that Chris Craft, my dad had the same model but the 25 footer. We'd spend weekends on it and while fun, I'd have to say the absolute smallest I'd go. That one's going to feel bigger all round which is good.

What I like about the design is that - what you give up in a flashy, low profile, slick look - you get back in actual livability. Good headroom (for two guys under 6 feet anyway...) and sensible layout.

I'd agree with other comments, tho -- get a survey. Also, expect it to suck some fairly serious fuel if you push it around at a plane. We liked trolling speed anyway just to see the sights and save some gas. All in all, though, a good boat. As I recall he paid $55K for a new one in about 1985...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Floating Cottage

pontoon houseboats http://www.google.com/search?q=pont...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a