Re: Houseboat Hunting
I happen to own the pontoon houseboat and wrote the blog mentioned by Mr Crabbs in the post above. So far we?ve enjoyed two carefree enjoyable years on the water with her since the total restoration of the boat. You?re absolutely right about the issues involved with steel and should avoid them entirely if at all possible.
The biggest issue in designing a viable pontoon based boat is the physical weight factors involved. So I?d have to question the real need for twin I/O engines on a pontoon boat design myself. If it were to achieve additional speed your overall returns would probably be much better with duel outboards IMHO.
Unlike true hulled boats, as you probably already realize pontoon boats track wonderfully without wondering everywhere even if equipped with a single engine. We equipped ours with a 90hp Yamaha and have been pleasantly pleased with the overall performance of the outboard motor. If we run about hull speed which is just under ten mph even though the boat and motor are heavy we still receive just a tic under five mpg as far as we?ve been able to determine so far.
Remember with a having a houseboat you should have everything you need with you on-board. Instead of waiting for the days mid day warmth for comfortable boating, you can close all or most doors and windows and start lumbering in comfort toward you destination. Again in the evening when everyone is rocketing back to wherever their point of origin is, you can sit back and relax and enjoy the peaceful evening serenity of your chosen anchorage or sandbar.
Hopefully you?ll find a houseboat that will fit your actual needs and also truly learn to enjoy the unique and relaxed lumbering boating on the water that can be enjoyed with a houseboat.
