Inspecting and repainting a houseboat - here's how it went

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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!

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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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

So, where have we been living? Well, in the motorhome in the car park! Very handy to have a motorhome sometimes we must say!

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.

Lowering it went smoothly, and didn't take very long.

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!

But there it was, travelling! Pampas Marina towed our houseboat, with the help of two smaller boats.

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.

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!

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