What is it like to inspect and repaint a houseboat? We have recently taken our houseboat ashore for an inspection and some painting. We tell you about our experiences!
Table of contents
Lifting a houseboat
Last week we lifted our houseboat. The main reason was that we had to to have the hull inspected. Actually, we didn't think anything would be wrong, but it's been ten years since the last time, and therefore the marina demanded a check. A bit of a relief for us too, of course!
Inspecting a houseboat
We had booked in an inspector. Our friend Lennart, a chemist and colour expert, was also there. He has previously helped us to develop and choose colours for the houseboat, which has been marvellously good.
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5813-1024x576.png.webp)
The inspector measured the layer of paint on the outside of the boat, and then wanted to look down into our inspection hatches. Good that he was so thorough! Afterwards, he was able to conclude that the condition of the surface protection is good and that the keelson is filled with concrete, without any hint of weathering or corrosion. Very nice to know!
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5816-1024x576.png.webp)
Repainting a houseboat
Once the houseboat was on land, we took the opportunity to repaint some parts. The light grey paint on the "house" itself is, fascinatingly, still in very good condition, so we didn't bother painting that. We did, however, take the opportunity to paint some of the linings of the windows facing the sea, that is, the linings that we cannot reach when the boat is at the dock.
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5835-1024x576.png.webp)
We also took the opportunity to repaint all the black, which was worn. This time we chose glossy paint instead of matt paint. Lennart also helped us choose a good two-component paint, which we used in various places on the hull, where it could be good with some improvement. Here you can see some pictures from the painting, and the result.
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5829-1024x576.png.webp)
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5848-1024x576.png.webp)
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5844-1024x576.png.webp)
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5851-1024x576.png.webp)
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5853-1024x576.png.webp)
Having the houseboat on land
We have had the houseboat on land for about four days. So different to see it like this, in its "full size"!
In the meantime, we have been able to enter it, using a high ladder. But we have not been able to live there because electricity, water and sewage have been disconnected.
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5841-1024x576.png.webp)
So, where have we been living? Well, in the motorhome in the car park! Very handy to have a motorhome sometimes we must say!
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/06/batch_IMG_E5886-1024x576.png.webp)
Putting the houseboat back in the water
Finally we were ready, and then it was time to lift the houseboat into the water again. Pampas came with his blue boat lift and rolled the boat away towards the water.
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5890-1024x576.png.webp)
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5892-1024x576.png.webp)
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5894-1024x576.png.webp)
Lowering it went smoothly, and didn't take very long.
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5896-1024x576.png.webp)
Towing the houseboat to its location
We have no engine in the houseboat, so it had to be towed to its place at the dock. We went there to receive ... Wow, how empty it looked when our boat was not in place!
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5898-1024x576.png.webp)
But there it was, travelling! Pampas Marina towed our houseboat, with the help of two smaller boats.
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5903-1024x576.png.webp)
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5913-1024x576.png.webp)
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5909-1024x576.png.webp)
Mooring the houseboat at the jetty
We received at the dock and helped to moor. Pampas had to help us get the gangway there, and then all that remained was to fix the ropes and fenders. And then the plumber would come again, of course, to install water and sewerage.
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5914-1024x576.png.webp)
Now the houseboat is in place again, and we have moved in! It was an adventure, and now it feels good that everything is done, and that we have much better control of the hull!
![](https://www.freedomtravel.se/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2024/05/batch_IMG_E5915-1024x576.png.webp)
Solan says:
Interesting for a landlubber to read about your boat survey. Good luck to have friends with the right skills, guess it is tricky to choose the right kind of colour.
I hope you celebrated that everything went well! 🥳
Envious of your motorhome site so close to the floating home...
Have a good time rolling towards the landscape of the Dala horses... 🍀
02 June 2024 - 7:46
Helena says:
Colour is important for longevity, and we have access to really good colours, so we are happy about that! And thank you, we'll say hello to the Dala horses! 🙂 What are your plans for the summer?
03 June 2024 - 6:16
Solan says:
As many friends have moved away from the big city, there will be motorhome travelling to "private pitches." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
This week towards the Zoega Kingdom, later the High Coast, the Vänern region and Gotland in September. A bit lazy and relaxed. We bet more on winter travelling south! 😊🍀🍀
03 June 2024 - 13:36
Anette Nilsson says:
I understand that it feels great to know that everything is okay. There are certainly some other things to think about when you live in a houseboat. Really a nice home!
02 June 2024 - 9:00
Helena says:
Thank you very much! Yes, there are some other things to think about! On top it is like a house, but then there is the hull, and it is important to take care of it!
03 June 2024 - 6:17
Ditte says:
I'm glad that everything went well with the inspection and that you got what you needed done. So now you can rest easy about this for maybe another 10 years.
02 June 2024 - 11:26
Helena says:
Yes very nice! 🙂
03 June 2024 - 6:18
Monica says:
It seems to have gone so smoothly with everything and so incredibly nice with people who are competent and know their jobs. And you also know what to assist with. Congratulations on moving in again in a fresh boat.
02 June 2024 - 15:45
Helena says:
Yes, indeed! We were very happy for everyone's effort! The surveyor, the plumbers and Pampas marina, so good from all sides!
03 June 2024 - 6:19
JoY says:
I understand that it is nice to have everything organised. Was there a lot of vegetation, shells etc on the hull?
Have a good trip when you leave.
02 June 2024 - 19:51
Helena says:
There was some dirt on the hull and some "vegetation" along one edge, but not much.
03 June 2024 - 6:21
BP says:
So nice that Freedom went through the inspection without remarks and that you had time to give the boat a "little make over" as well. Everything went really smoothly, and what luck you had with the weather too.
02 June 2024 - 19:52
Helena says:
Yes, the weather made it easier! More pleasant to work in, and also the paint dries quickly!
03 June 2024 - 6:21