Ever since we moved here, definitions of floating accommodation have been discussed. Who lives in a houseboat and who lives in a floating villa? When is a ship a boat and when is it a ship? It's a jungle and not at all easy to sort out. But here are some basic definitions, as we understand them.
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ShareDifferent types of ships
- A ship is a vessel intended for use at sea that has a hull and structural steering capability (such as a rudder). The Maritime Code divides vessels into ships and boats.
- A ship is a ship whose maximum length is at least 12 metres and whose maximum width is at least 4 metres. All ships must be registered in the ship register.
- A boat is a vessel shorter than 12 metres or narrower than 4 metres. Boats used for professional purposes must be registered.
- A houseboat is intended for accommodation, and often anchored at the quayside.
- A floating villa is a floating dwelling built on a pontoon or hull, usually without an engine or rudder.
- An AquaVilla is a type of floating villa built by the company AquaVilla AB. AquaVillas are built in Västervik and are in use in Solna.
You might also like:
Houseboat in Stockholm - some photos from our accommodation
Being at home in the houseboat in Stockholm again
Houseboat life in winter - how we live in wintertime
Lifting a houseboat - this is what happened when our houseboat was lifted
The boat lift in Niederfinow - with a lifting height of 36 metres
Inauguration of Philippine boat with whole roasted pigs
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Ditte says:
Good with some explanations. But some houseboats, those at the quay with us and those on Söder Mälarstrand and in some other places, must be in movable condition as I understand it. On the other hand, there are Pampas and some other marinas where the houseboats do not need to be movable. I think it is great with several options and it also means that more people may consider a houseboat option. I think it's nice.
29 May 2014 - 10:53
admin says:
Ditte, as I said, it's a jungle and not easy. Whether or not houseboats can be moved depends on the municipality's rules, I guess.
29 May 2014 - 10:55
BP says:
What you and Ditte can do!!! Pure infobank, thanks:-)
29 May 2014 - 11:54
Bosse and Gerd says:
It makes you want to live like you do!!!
29 May 2014 - 12:44
Mr Steve says:
Good, now I know it too.
29 May 2014 - 13:02
Ama de casa says:
Thank you for clarifying the concepts - as best you can, anyway.
🙂
29 May 2014 - 16:25
Ditte says:
It is certainly the municipality that decides whether or not boats can be moved. and in Stockholm they have decided so. I have understood from the houseboat owners below us that it is a safety issue. I don't know how. The big boat has been here for at least 10 years, but it can be moved and these boats along Stockholm's quays must also be inspected every two years for safety reasons. Maybe it's also a municipal regulation... But it's nice that there are different possibilities.
Hope you have time to take some breaks and enjoy the beautiful weather.
29 May 2014 - 16:45
admin says:
Bosse and Gerd, it is very cosy to live like this!
🙂
Ditte, it may well be true that it is a safety rule. There are also a lot of rules here. There must be a certain distance between the boats, we have a bridge that can be folded up for evacuation in the event of a fire, there is an alarm system between all the boats, etc. In Stockholm, they may have solved safety in a different way.
29 May 2014 - 20:31
Katta's Considerations says:
Thanks for all the explanations, it was needed.
29 May 2014 - 22:03
Annika says:
Yes, I also want to live like you do. So wonderful! Freedom in some way.
AND to really live ON the water. Delicious.
Coming home soon, and my sister lives on Hornsbergs Strand and sees your entire marina from her apartment.
I may come wandering one day...
I think you live extremely well.
30 May 2014 - 15:48
admin says:
Annika, it's fantastic to live here! What fun that you come to Stockholm and our neighbourhood! Feel free to come by and say hello! It would be great fun! Please note that we lift the boat on land in early June and then we live in the motorhome, which is also in the marina. It's just to come by then too, but I'll let you know so you can find us!
🙂
30 May 2014 - 20:40