Today we are a few days into the new year, 2025, and we take the opportunity to look back on the past year - houseboat life for a year. As you may know, we live in a houseboat, and every month is special in its own way. Here's what our houseboat year 2024 was like!
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Houseboat life in January snow and ice
In January 2024, we had snow in the marina, and there was even ice in places. The marina has propellers in the water to keep the water free of ice, but if it gets cold enough it can still freeze in places.
After a while, the marina started to break the ice with their boats, and then there was instead a persistent thumping against our hull when we were going to sleep ... But sunny and nice it was!
Houseboat life in February winter
During the month of February, we left the houseboat for adventures in South Africa. It was winter when we left, and our houseboat neighbours kept an eye on our houseboat. Reliable neighbours are always good, and maybe it's a bit more important when you live like we do!
Houseboat life in March a quiet time
When we returned from South Africa in March, the marina was ice-free. At the same time, this time of year is quite quiet - no tourists, no small boats chugging around. Just everyday life!
Houseboat life in April April weather with gusty winds
April can, as you know, offer "April weather", and this April was no exception. Suddenly there was snow, wind and gusts from the north that made stuff fall off tables and shelves in the houseboat.
Houseboat life in May lifting of houseboat
At the end of May, it was time for us to lift the houseboat. We are obliged, under our lease, to lift it from time to time to check that the hull is up to scratch. Pampas marina, where we live, has a lift that can handle our boat, so we could lift it here on site. A bit nervous of course, but it went well!
Houseboat life in June inspection and painting
When the houseboat was on land we brought in a surveyor who checked the hull, and who also peered down into our inspection hatches. Fortunately, everything was green! We also took the opportunity to repaint the black parts of the boat, and now we chose a glossy colour instead of a matte colour. The houseboat was only on land for a few days!
Houseboat life in July foreign friends visiting
In July, our South African friends, Henri and Michelle, came to visit us in Sweden. They got to try out houseboat life for a few days, including swimming directly from the dock.
Houseboat life in August fix in the boiler room
During August there was a lot of everyday houseboat life, and it was very nice in the marina during this time.
We also had time to fix some practical things inside. There was a new plastic floor and a new dehumidifier in the boiler room of the houseboat.
Houseboat life in September fix in the kitchen
The kitchen in the houseboat is quite small, and it's a challenge to fit everything in. In September, Peter embarked on a fixer-upper project with new storage solutions in the kitchen - there were new smart hangers, shelves and drawers.
Houseboat life in October - quiet autumn month
We were away quite a bit during October, but when we were home, the month offered calm and beautiful autumn colours.
Houseboat life in November - from colour to grey
In November, we were first treated to autumn colours in the marina, before it got greyer and greyer...
Houseboat life in December stormy weather
December 2024 did not bring much snow, but there were some storms. On one of the windiest days, one of the wheels on the gangway broke, and we also had to re-tie the moorings and fenders.
Houseboating in 2025
A new year of houseboat life awaits! Follow us here on freedomtravel.se and on Instagram at @freedomtravelnews!
You might also like:
What is it like to live in a houseboat? - we answer questions
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
Living on the water in winter - a picture bomb
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Anna in Portugal says:
It was fun to see how different life is on a houseboat! You really have waterfront living 🙂
05 January 2025 - 8:10
Helena says:
Yes, it's hard to get that much closer to the water... 😉
05 January 2025 - 12:05
Snows says:
It must be a very special feeling to live on a houseboat! I've always wanted a sea view and you really can't complain 😀
05 January 2025 - 9:35
Helena says:
Yes, we've got used to it now, but it is special! We are always aware of wind direction and stuff 😉
05 January 2025 - 12:06
JoY says:
The boat looks really big when you pick it up from the shore and it looks great with glossy paint. You really have a perfect location on the water. Lovely to be able to take a dip directly from the dock, you can't live closer. I think you get used to the different sounds from ice, springs and notice when there is something new that needs to be checked out. I remember that the whistling noise from the masts of the sailing boats was quite annoying and you seem to avoid that or do you have boat masts around you?
Enjoy the sun today.
05 January 2025 - 10:18
Helena says:
Well, the boat is quite big anyway. Part of it "disappears" under the surface, so it's only when it's on land that you really see the whole thing! And of course you get used to the sounds! There are some boat masts here, but not so much sound from it I think ... the marina flags sound more!
05 January 2025 - 12:08
Eval8 says:
I could definitely imagine life on a houseboat!
Happy Epiphany!
05 January 2025 - 12:36
Helena says:
It's cosy! And thank you the same!!!
05 January 2025 - 16:46
The Adventure of the Future says:
I could imagine living on a houseboat. I like the sea, the lake and everything that is called water. Lovely to follow you from start to finish during the past year. Wish you all the best for the coming year.
Have a great Epiphany!
05 January 2025 - 14:20
Helena says:
Isn't it nice to be close to water! Thank you the same!
05 January 2025 - 16:47
BP says:
At least you'll never be bored on your houseboat in Pampas Marina. There is always something going on. Lively during the summer with the restaurant and bar and during the winter it's also a bit lively if the ice floes hit Freedom. Houseboat life is definitely more entertaining than living in an apartment...
05 January 2025 - 15:17
Helena says:
It's true, something often happens! Often something that slips by, sometimes a small canoe, sometimes something really big... 😉
05 January 2025 - 16:48
Ditte says:
Isn't it wonderful to live in close contact with the water? I understand that you enjoy it. We also live with the water as the nearest neighbour, on the quay, in an apartment 15 m from the water. Are super happy. So much to see and experience all year round.
Have some houseboats as nearest neighbours that are on municipal moorings and they give extra life to the quay. Have visited some of them and fun to see how they arranged and decorated. Some have recently changed owners, some have disappeared and others have been added. Fun that too.
05 January 2025 - 22:56
Helena says:
Yes, you also have a fantastic nice location where you live! Nice to be able to watch the boats 🙂 Nice also that you have some contact with the houseboat neighbours!
06 January 2025 - 10:03
Roses and ruins says:
What beautiful pictures, what fun to see what a life in a houseboat can look like. Nice with a constant sea view! Do you travel a lot with it or is it mostly stationary? And when it's windy, does it rock even though you are at the quay?
Wishing you a great 2025!
Gunilla
05 January 2025 - 23:50
Helena says:
Hi Gunilla! Our houseboat is today "only" a houseboat, and there is no longer any engine in it. So we can't drive the boat, but we enjoy the rocking at the quay! 🙂 And yes, it can rock a bit sometimes, especially if there are gusts of wind from the north ... And sometimes the eggs end up at one end of the frying pan 😉 Wish you a nice 2025 too!
06 January 2025 - 10:04
Netti Starby says:
How wonderful it must be to live on a houseboat and what a dream. Hugs
07 January 2025 - 16:41
Enna says:
Very exciting!
07 January 2025 - 19:14
Sara in Barcelona says:
Wow how nice it is! And what a cool accommodation, I understand that you trivs☺️
Friends of ours here in Barcelona lived on a boat in the harbour for about 5 years, with their little daughter, I found it interesting and a bit fascinating😊 They have now chosen to move to an apartment though and have sold the boat, but they enjoyed it very much during those years as I understood. Here, however, you avoid ice and snow, but we have storms from time to time and it rocked a lot for them😃
Hugs!
08 January 2025 - 16:02
Matilda says:
It's exciting to experience life on a houseboat! You seem to have it big and cosy. Sounds a bit scary with storms.
I got to visit a small houseboat (think canal boat) in England once that was year round accommodation. Super fascinating!
09 January 2025 - 19:13