Griping about house boats (Huge non motorized type)

Discussion in 'Boatbuilding' started by parkland, Feb 2, 2013.

  1. parkland
    Joined: Jul 2012
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    parkland Senior Member

    I have seen this several times now, and it drives me absolutely nuts - The bottom float section of the boats foundation only goes 6" or some pathetic amount above the water line !!!!

    I can't imagine the wood framing lasting very long, it would get wet so often!

    Why the heck are they built like this?
    Even in protected waters, shouldn't you expect the occasional wave higher than 6" ? lol.

    :confused:

    [​IMG]
     
  2. DCockey
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    DCockey Senior Member

    Where was the picture taken?

    My understanding is many of the similar appearing houseboats on Lake Union in Seattle which date to the 1920's and 1930's float on large cedar logs, and a guess is their deck framing is also cedar.
     
  3. parkland
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    parkland Senior Member

    The picture was just a grab off google.

    I saw one earlier from vancouver, and the siding was rotten, and looked to be sitting so low to the water line that I went off on an irrelevant tangent.
     
  4. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Where do you think they park these things? The protected waters typically used for this type of vessel doesn't require much freeboard.

    Rotting siding isn't the fault of the design, but the owner. The same is true of land based homes as well. As an example, I have a 1996 Suburban I bought new. Examples of this vehicle, commonly have rusty and peeling paint, because the clear coats back then weren't very good, but mine hasn't any of this occurring. So, either I got lucky or I've looked after it. The same is true of the rotten siding you've noticed.
     
  5. michael pierzga
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    michael pierzga Senior Member

    Those houseboats look well cared for. Expensive neighborhood
     
  6. BPL
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    BPL Senior Member

  7. hoytedow
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    I hope they get painted different colors so the owners have an easier time finding the right houseboat.
     
  8. dinoa
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    dinoa Senior Member

  9. hoytedow
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    Subsidence would be of more concern than rising water levels due to the ancient pilings upon which the old city rests and the draw-down from the aquifer.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice

    "During the 20th century, when many artesian wells were sunk into the periphery of the lagoon to draw water for local industry, Venice began to subside."
     
  10. Submarine Tom

    Submarine Tom Previous Member

    I walked down this dock yesterday and used to live on the one next to it.

    These are floathomes not houseboats.

    The waves can get two feet in this harbour but rarely.
     
  11. messabout
    Joined: Jan 2006
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    messabout Senior Member

    I think that Tom Hanks lived on one of these in the movie: Sleepless in Seattle.
     

  12. parkland
    Joined: Jul 2012
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    parkland Senior Member


    So what is the benefit of having the foundation top only slightly elevated out of the water?
    I would want a good 3-4 ft above the water before I had any wood or other material that could rot away.
     
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