Houseboat Makeover

[coalminerswife]

We are getting ready to purchase a small houseboat (12x36). It, in my opinion, primarily needs to be cleaned. My spouse, on the other hand, wants to do all kinds of work to it. So, I have two questions here, for anybody who wants to give their opinions.

1. What kind of floor coverings work well in houseboats? We've considered carpet and vinyl.

2. What can we do to the wood on the walls to make it look better? He wants to paint. I do not want to get into that. My goal is to get it on the water and ready to use, not work on it all summer.

I'll post some pictures momentarily.

 

[archbuilder]

I don't know a lot about houseboats, but I'm interested to see what you are working on.

As for floor coverings, that are a lot out there for marine use. Are you talking about inside or outside? Also is it a fiberglass deck or plywood? Depending on how its built, may limit some of your options. A lot of it depends on how you are going to use the boat.

There are a number of paint on non-skid products out there. They are durable, but I have heard some complaints about clean-ability, and being a little hard on the feet. Although there are some folks that swear by them, especially the guys who are primarily fishing. I don't know that I would use them inside, more of on an exterior deck, There are a couple out there, but the names escape me at the moment. I'm sure someone else will chime in that have used them.

There are also some marine vinyl floors for exterior use, they are used on pontoons a lot. I don't think they work well on anything but flat decks. Again the pics will help.

I have marine carpet in my boat. I like the fact that it is easy on the feet, stays cool. I don't fish out of the boat, so that isn't an issue, also I spend a lot of time on sandy beaches. The carpet helps to keep the deck from getting gritty and slippery. Granted, you have to shop vac it but I don't mind that.

I think your husband might be right, short of removing the paneling and replacing it with more.....probably not much more attractive, paneling. There are some options out there that aren't wood grained, but mostly pretty ugly. You don't want to use anything heavy or rigid.

Looking forward to seeing your pics

 

[coalminerswife]

The surface on the decks outside is okay as it is. It just needs to be washed. We are going to replace the inside carpet. There is really nothing wrong with it, other than that it's ugly. I'm for cleaning it and calling it a day, but he is insistent it must go. I'm going to try to upload some pictures.

 

[coalminerswife]

 

[coalminerswife]

 

[coalminerswife]

 

[coalminerswife]

We are going to keep the upholstery and curtains that are in it. They are in good shape, just need to be cleaned. We discussed marine carpet for the floors, or possibly vinyl tiles, since those would be easy to install in a small space without much room to maneuver. We have two small dogs that will be staying on it with us, and they do shed.

My husband would like to take out the table/bed combo and put in a real bed, but I'm not sure if one will actually fit in that space. We are going over there tonight, so I will measure that to see. Of course, if we do that, we'll have no table for eating, except outside.

The current kitchen appliances will be staying. Hopefully, someone can give me lessons in how to use that stove.

 

[52FordF2]

If you plan on replacing paneling I would go with something lighter coloring. I have been looking at different houseboats online, checking out interiors.

About the table could you reconfigure it to where the table top is removable and can be lowered to be the bed support. Place slates across seats and lay table top across them. Slates could be stored inside one of the seats. If the back cushions are easily removable then they can be placed on top of table top. Then throw a sheet across. During the day a table at night a bed. Hope I didn't confuse you on this.

I have been looking also for a 36" fixer upper also.
Good look and enjoy your cabin on the water.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

try to convince your husband to do only what is necessary to make her sea worthy and enjoy the season. Nothing more painful than spending a nice summer day working on a boat as opposed to being on the water enjoying the boat. I totally get what he wants to do, but unless he is experienced working with boats, he will sure underestimate the work required and set himself up for frustration. Save the makeover/remodeling efforts to the winter when working inside makes more sense.

Best of luck to you

 

[Woodonglass]

This ^^^ is the absolute BEST advice you can get!!!!

 

[coalminerswife]

If you plan on replacing paneling I would go with something lighter coloring. I have been looking at different houseboats online, checking out interiors.

About the table could you reconfigure it to where the table top is removable and can be lowered to be the bed support. Place slates across seats and lay table top across them. Slates could be stored inside one of the seats. If the back cushions are easily removable then they can be placed on top of table top. Then throw a sheet across. During the day a table at night a bed. Hope I didn't confuse you on this.

I have been looking also for a 36" fixer upper also.
Good look and enjoy your cabin on the water.

The table already is removable, and the benches fold out to make a bed. He wants to put a real bed in there, maybe a platform bed with storage drawers underneath.

 

[coalminerswife]

We're not going to get into replacing paneling, and I told him if he wants to paint it white, keeping it clean will be his job. Lol. I explained that painting paneling is not as easy as it sounds; there's sanding, priming, etc. We will most likely just replace the carpet, clean the furniture,and maybe try to find some kind of canopy/awning for the back deck, which is not covered.

What kind of floor coverings are ideal for a houseboat? I know laminate and wood are probably not good ideas. We'd prefer to not have carpet, but may go with a low pile carpet inside if it's the most economical.

 

[redneck joe]

try to convince your husband to do only what is necessary to make her sea worthy and enjoy the season. Nothing more painful than spending a nice summer day working on a boat as opposed to being on the water enjoying the boat. I totally get what he wants to do, but unless he is experienced working with boats, he will sure underestimate the work required and set himself up for frustration. Save the makeover/remodeling efforts to the winter when working inside makes more sense.

Best of luck to you

Third agreement. Spend first year cleaning, making sure all works, won't sink - THEN take on the fun.



Been there, done that, burned the t-shirt after screwing up the toilet....

 

[archbuilder]

deep blue has a good point, dry dock sometimes takes longer than you think. Sheet vinyl is probably cheapest, depending on prep work....kind of like painting the paneling, lol! My guess is short pile marine carpet will get you on the water the quickest, without a lot of prep work. You could look at the non skid finishes, but you are back to the prep work.

 

[Mikeopsycho]

As far as operating the propane stove, for safety reasons there should be a 12 volt solenoid in line just downstream of the propane bottle. The solenoid opens and closes by way of a switch inside the cabin, near or on the stove. There should be an indicator light near switch that'll be on when the solenoid is open. With the solenoid in the on/open position, turn on a stove top burner and light with a match, or with the mounted piezo igniter. There may be some air in the system so it might take a bit of time for the propane to purge through to the burner, just keep a match lit till it fires. There is usually no pilot for the top burners, each has to be lit when needed, but there is a pilot for the oven, which you will have to light when you want to use it. Leave the oven dial turned to "oven and pilot off" if you don't plan to use it. To light the oven pilot, turn the knob to "pilot", get down on your knees and reach way in under the bottom tray to near the back of the tubular burner with a match. There is very little gas flowing to the pilot, so it's not a panic if it takes a bit of time to get a match in there. Once the pilot is lit, turn the dial up to 300 or whatever and check to make sure the main burner fires. It will take a minute or two for it to fire up. There is a fail safe system built into the oven, so if it flames out the only gas able to continue flowing is the tiny bit for the pilot itself. There is no fail safe for the stove top burners. Always turn off the solenoid when the stove is not in use, and of course, turn all the control knobs to off. Hope this helps a bit.

 

[coalminerswife]

That helps a lot - helps me decide to cook outside on a grill. Lol.

 

[Grandad]

What kind of floor coverings work well in houseboats? We've considered carpet and vinyl

Have you considered a cork tile? That's what I planned on using for a new houseboat that never got off my drawing board. I figure it would be quiet, have relatively low flammability (?), not likely to absorb much water and a comfortable gripping surface for walking. I would definitely avoid carpet, particularly the longer pile stuff in a marine environment. But alas, I can't speak from experience.
- Grandad

 

[archbuilder]

Grandad that is a great idea, I have it in my kitchen and love it. I never thought about using it in a boat.

 

[jakedaawg]

Sorry that I dont have suggestions. I do have a question should you have time. Do you know what that vessel drafts at anchor?

 

[lasvegaschef]

As far as operating the propane stove, for safety reasons there should be a 12 volt solenoid in line just downstream of the propane bottle. The solenoid opens and closes by way of a switch inside the cabin, near or on the stove. There should be an indicator light near switch that'll be on when the solenoid is open. With the solenoid in the on/open position, turn on a stove top burner and light with a match, or with the mounted piezo igniter. There may be some air in the system so it might take a bit of time for the propane to purge through to the burner, just keep a match lit till it fires. There is usually no pilot for the top burners, each has to be lit when needed, but there is a pilot for the oven, which you will have to light when you want to use it. Leave the oven dial turned to "oven and pilot off" if you don't plan to use it. To light the oven pilot, turn the knob to "pilot", get down on your knees and reach way in under the bottom tray to near the back of the tubular burner with a match. There is very little gas flowing to the pilot, so it's not a panic if it takes a bit of time to get a match in there. Once the pilot is lit, turn the dial up to 300 or whatever and check to make sure the main burner fires. It will take a minute or two for it to fire up. There is a fail safe system built into the oven, so if it flames out the only gas able to continue flowing is the tiny bit for the pilot itself. There is no fail safe for the stove top burners. Always turn off the solenoid when the stove is not in use, and of course, turn all the control knobs to off. Hope this helps a bit.

great instructions thank you for sharing