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Thinking about buying a houseboat.

HUBER

HUBER

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The wife and I have started looking at houseboats and wondered if anyone on here had any experiences owning houseboats, both good and bad. I have plenty of experience on normal boats, but not a houseboat. We really like Cave Run, but there isn't much used inventory there. Because of that, may be forced to look at Laurel or Cumberland. Don't know much about Laurel, but this boat will be for family trips, not debauchery.

So there you go. Any tips, pointers, or thoughts would be appreciated!
 
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pikespeak1

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HUBER said:
The wife and I have started looking at houseboats and wondered if anyone on here had any experiences owning houseboats, both good and bad. I have plenty of experience on normal boats, but not a houseboat. We really like Cave Run, but there isn't much used inventory there. Because of that, may be forced to look at Laurel or Cumberland. Don't know much about Laurel, but this boat will be for family trips, not debauchery.

So there you go. Any tips, pointers, or thoughts would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Houseboatsbuyterry.com
 
HUBER

HUBER

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I've got the shopping portion down, more looking for info or stories from others who have owned a houseboat. Or info on the lakes on the eastern half of the state.
 
funKYcat75

funKYcat75

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I have one friend who has one. She is about one year from retirement and her husband is already retired, so they have nothing but time on their hands than to just chill at the lake all summer and most spring and fall weekends. If I didn't have that kind of free time, then I wouldn't think I could commit to it.
 
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krazykats

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Not to be raining on your parade but a houseboat limits you to one lake really. Dale Hollow is sick, Lake Cumberland, and KY Lake are honestly where I'd look.

I don't have much experience of eastern lakes past Nolin and I wouldn't get one there. I have family there with an acre lot opposite lake front properties and I can sell you it's nice but not a houseboat lake IMHO.

All that said other than not hauling it and being limited to one lake why get a houseboat? Why a tritoon and go to whatever lake you want?

A houseboat is a huge investment for 24 weekends a year. Buy a tritoon for 60K less and rent a house boat twice a year.

Houseboats have a lot of things that go wrong and are a constant money pit and if you do to keep it up or if you cut corners it will be a huge mess eventually.
 
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Deeeefense

Deeeefense

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Congrats on getting ready to enjoy the first, of the two best days of your life:D
 
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Free_Salato_Blue

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If your get tired of the boat-life you can always go RVing.
 
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ukalumni00

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Buddy of mine bought one about 3 years ago and had nothing but problems with it. Sold his house and lived in it exclusively thinking it would be a great idea to be on the water all the time and he quickly grew tired of it. He got very lucky and was able to sell it last Fall, but took a beating on the price.

Only way I would ever buy one is if I had more money than I knew what to do with and have a large family/circle of friends who I know would all love to use it during the summer. Other than that, would get a nice boat and call it a day.
 
wildcatadam6

wildcatadam6

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I've never owned a boat of any kind, but several friends do. I imagine a houseboat is just a much bigger, much more expensive and much slower pontoon.

Love the idea, but I would rent one a couple times a year.

To actually contribute something to the thread, I will say this...Lake Norris is the nicest lake I've been to. Two and a half hours from Lexington, lots of docks/marinas, beautiful water, huge, etc.

If I were in the market for a boat of any kind, I'd drive the extra 30-45 past Cumberland and go there, without question.
 
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HUBER

HUBER

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SportsGuyNIndy said:
I might know of one popping up on the market in Louisville very soon
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If that boat and Captains Quarters could talk. I was kind of hoping that the houseboat would be our "hotel" the night of our reunion in October. Need to get planning on that Saturday night soon.
 
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Chuckinden

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UK_Norm said:
I'd hate to commit myself to taking all my vacations at the lake, which is what I'd feel obligated to do if I invested that much money in a boat.
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I'm retired and I like traveling to different places. A houseboat has never been on my wish list, but like I said earlier, I'm not much fond of the lake.
 
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Btothe4th_rivals376930

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Take the purchase price, multiply by 2, and that's the cost of ownership for 10 years. 150k houseboat will cost 300k with slip costs/maintenance/furnishing/gas/insurance etc thrown in.

If you are weighing "cost vs reward" it's a horrible investment. HOWEVER, if you're a lake guy and it's about choosing that lifestyle, it's great.
 
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MrLair

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I'll be on one two weeks from now in Cumberland. But if you have a large family with kids and other families with kids, I would go with a ski boat.

You can rent houseboats with multiple people and drives the cost way down. Then you can ski and tub on your boat, and cruise around the lake.

Friend of mine's parents had one and sold it a few years back. The price for a slip was getting outrageous at Jamestown.
 
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LadyCat92

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Seems like if you're not certain, you'd be better off renting a few times to see if that's what you want to do before sinking that kind of dough into one.
 
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TortElvisII

TortElvisII

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Btothe4th said:
Take the purchase price, multiply by 2, and that's the cost of ownership for 10 years. 150k houseboat will cost 300k with slip costs/maintenance/furnishing/gas/insurance etc thrown in.

If you are weighing "cost vs reward" it's a horrible investment. HOWEVER, if you're a lake guy and it's about choosing that lifestyle, it's great.
Click to expand...

If he is sinking 100 grand, do not get a houseboat. Get a used Carver Yacht.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2001-CARVER-356-Aft-Cabin-Motor-Yacht-102314778
 
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KentuckyStout

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One thing to consider beyond cost - which will likely be $1200-1400 per month (covered slip with power, water and cable/satellite hookups etc.) is that you don't necessarily get to pick your neighbors. With a houseboat, your neighbors are at a very close proximity...the wrong neighbors will spoil your enjoyment. Try to get a slip next to a doctor who travels a lot or an older retired couple who will mind their own business. You don't want to park next to a nouveau riche that blares music and hosts swinger parties every weekend.

With the right boat, frankly you are going to spend more time on it while it's in the slip than you will with it out on the water...you can and will go to spend long weekends without ever even taking the thing out, so location and neighbors are very important.

Also - the best slips are a long haul away from where you will park, most likely. Get a really good cart to transport groceries and supplies back and forth to/from your vehicle because you will be using it a lot, especially the weekends when you host family/guests.

Also - if you have a lot of guests on a weekend:

1. Make sure everyone gets there in plenty of time to load/unload food, drinks etc. and get settled before the boat leaves the slip. Plan ahead.
2. You are responsible to gather everyone together and give them the boat safety speech before you leave.

Finally, it's a really poor investment.
 
anthonys735

anthonys735

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Jan 29, 2004
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Can't imagine a worse idea. Get a nice cruiser or like someone else said a lake house. House boat just seems like a really poor decision.
 
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slick rick.ksr

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I owned a 56' boat on Cumberland in the 90's. You do have expenses - slip fee, insurance, property taxes, and maintanence. It does qualify as a second home so any loan interest paid is deductible. The marine environment is harsh and the boat must be cleaned and polished. Engines and generators need to be used so there is the resultant fuel and maintanence cost associated with that. Holding tanks are now required on Cumberland so pump outs are an expense now. We had a lot of fun and if I had to do it over again I would. I would get a wide body and at least a 64' boat, though. Mine had the catwalk down the sides and did not have a party top. I used the boat for 6 years and sold it for what I paid for it.
 
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Atrain7732

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Not that this really helps but I have had both friends and family members who have had them and thoroughly enjoyed them. I was only there intermittently but from a very young age I have always thought it would be so neat to live on a houseboat. During winter not sure how practical that would be. Have always been intrigued by them tho.

When I moved to SW FL that house boat dream kinda shifted over to a 2-3 stateroom yacht/tugboat type boat. But I am still nostalgic and very much miss the KY lakes. Nothing here like the KY Lakes unless u wanna get bit by a croc.

My thought is that you and your family have obviously thought about this for awhile. If everyone is onboard go for it. Will undoubtedly be some wonderful memories made. I wish my parents had one when I was a kid we could go to every weekend.
 
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Elbridge

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@LadyCat92

Assuming and hoping that you aren't the lady in the Bryant commercials (your avatar), are you hot and single? Otherwise, never mind.
 
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