What is it like to live in a houseboat? - we answer questions

What is it like to live in a houseboat? We have been living in a houseboat since the summer of 2013, and we are often asked about houseboat life. We've written about it before, of course, but we also have some new readers and followers. Here we answer all the questions we usually get - and then some!

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Frequently asked questions about living in a houseboat

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about living in a houseboat. Please note that we base our answers on our own experience, on our houseboat and Pampas marina where we live. Of course, it may be different in other houseboats, in other places.

Do you live in the houseboat all year round?

We live in our houseboat all year round, and everyone who lives in a houseboat here in Pampas Marina lives here all year round. The only time we don't live in a houseboat is when we are travelling in our motorhome or when we are otherwise on the move.

Can you drive the houseboat?

We cannot drive our houseboat. It used to be a passenger boat, but when we bought it, it was already converted into a houseboat. There is no longer an engine in the boat, and the living area is built for living, not for driving around. If we need to, we can disconnect it and tow it.

Have you rebuilt your houseboat?

We have extensively rebuilt our houseboat. When we bought it, there was a very small upstairs, with single-glazed windows and air blowing straight in through the joints between the planks. We demolished the entire top floor and built a completely new one. We've also rebuilt all sorts of other things ...

How big is your houseboat?

Our houseboat has two and a half floors. Ground floor: Hall, kitchen and tiny bathroom. Downstairs: Bedroom and boiler room. Upstairs: Living room. In addition, we have a patio. If we measure the floor area, we have over 70 square metres, but there are low ceilings in many parts of the boat so officially the area is smaller. In terms of weight, it is about 35 tonnes.

Does it swing?

Our houseboat always moves a little, but most of the time it is barely noticeable. If it's windy or stormy, you feel it all the more. It's worst when there are gusts from the north. Then it happens that things fall off the tables, or that the eggs we fry end up at one end of the frying pan ...

What happens when water freezes in winter?

The marina where we live, Pampas marina, is an ice-free marina, which is fixed by large propellers in the water. Sometimes, when it is really cold, the water may freeze in spots anyway, but that doesn't matter much because the houseboat has a steel hull.

Does it get cold in winter?

Inside the houseboat we are usually warm and cosy, even in winter. As our home is not very big, it is not so difficult to heat. If it gets extra cold one day, we light a fire in the stove, and then it gets really warm!

How do you heat the houseboat?

We have a Nibe boiler used for both underfloor heating and radiators. We also have an air source heat pump. In addition, we have a stove.

Is it damp?

It can get a bit damp at the bottom of the boat, so we have a dehumidifier there. Thanks to the dehumidifier, it doesn't get damp.

What about water and sewerage?

Our houseboat, like all the other houseboats in this marina, is connected to municipal water and sewerage. We have a system whereby we switch off the water when we leave home, to reduce the risk of water leaking anywhere.

Do you have a washing machine and dishwasher?

We have both a washing machine and a dishwasher. The only thing that differs from many other homes is that we have had to choose slightly smaller models of the machines, to make room.

What chores are available instead of gardening?

When you live in a houseboat, you don't have a lawn or flower beds, but you may need to do a few other things, such as...

• Moor and re-moor the boat, and re-tie the fenders.
• Shovel the gangway and - in extreme cases - the roof.
• Moving stuff back and forth on the dock with trolleys.
• Repaint from time to time, as with other houses.
• Fixing things that break ...

What do you need to consider about security?

There are quite a lot of rules around fire safety here in the marina, starting with how you can build. In addition, there is a pump and other equipment in the marina, and everyone who lives here is invited to fire training every year. All houseboats here have fire alarms on the outside, so that neighbouring boats are warned if there is a fire. We also have fire alarms and fire extinguishers inside.

Other safety features include a submersible pump in the bottom of the boat (which pumps out water if water enters the hull) and life-saving ladders along the jetties.

Do you sometimes have to take the houseboat ashore?

According to our contract with Pampas Marina, we have to take the boat up from time to time to check the hull, but it is not very often. We lifted it last year and then we brought in a surveyor to check the hull.

Do you own the houseboat or do you rent it?

We own our houseboat, but we rent the place from Pampas marina, via a so-called lease agreement. This means that we are responsible for everything on board the boat, but the marina is responsible for taking care of the marina and the docks, with rubbish collection, snow shovelling, maintenance of docks and the like.

How much does it cost to live in a houseboat?

It is not possible to give a general answer to what it costs to live in a houseboat, as it can vary greatly. In our case, we first bought the boat (via a regular housing advert on Hemnet) and then we pay monthly rent, electricity and water, to Pampas marina. In addition to monthly expenses, insurance and maintenance costs must be taken into account.

What if you want to live in a houseboat?

It certainly works differently in different places. Here in our marina, you buy a houseboat/floating villa that is already on site and under contract (from someone who chooses to sell) and then you pay rent to the marina. If you buy a houseboat that not already have a seat, it may be very difficult to find a place.

Are there different types of houseboats?

There are of course different types of houseboats. Here in the marina where we live, there are aquavillas (floating villas manufactured by Aquavilla AB) and other types of houseboats, often former barges or passenger boats that have been converted.

How can you insure a houseboat?

Insuring a houseboat can be quite tricky. The Aquavillas, which are located here in the Pampas marina, are produced by the same company and therefore have insurance agreements in place. For other, more "odd" houseboats, it can be more difficult. We have an insurance policy that we had to take over from the previous owner.

What are the rules for houseboat accommodation?

There may be different rules in different places. In some cases, what someone calls houseboat probably refer to a pleasure boat. In our case, in the marina where we live, the houseboats and floating villas are considered as permanent dwellings (single-family houses on open land), and all of them have a building licence.

How does it work with mail?

We get our mail to a letterbox in the marina, where we go and collect the mail. If we order parcels, we either pick them up at the pick-up point or meet the delivery at the marina (while they stressfully call five times and think they've got it wrong).

What is in the marina?

In the marina where we live there are some services in the form of rubbish collection and laundry. In addition, there is the marina office, a nice restaurant (K4), canoe hire and a wide range of businesses.

What is the most challenging thing about living in a houseboat?

Just like living in a house, a houseboat involves maintenance work, and taking care of the hull means lifting the whole boat, which is a big (and costly) project. Insurance and loans are particular challenges. When there's a big storm, it can be a bit uncomfortable, but it happens very rarely.

What is the best thing about living in a houseboat?

The best thing about living in a houseboat is that it feels like we are close to nature, while being close to the city. We have great views from every window and we are always aware of the changes in nature. Just outside us we have ducks, swans and the occasional heron. In the summer, there is also a lovely holiday atmosphere here with a restaurant, summer people and small boats chugging in and out. We love this accommodation!

What is it like to live in a houseboat - more questions?

We've tried to answer most of your questions about renting a houseboat, but maybe you have more questions or comments? Please write in the comment field!

You might also like:

Houseboating for a year - January - December 2024 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 Easter, preparations and alerts Lifting a houseboat - this is what happened when our houseboat was lifted