Small Tug and Barge (Houseboat)

Barges are pushed because there is more control. On the Texas ICW frequent cross winds and narrow areas make control number one. Crabbing into the wind is usually necessary and this is much more difficult when the barge is behind you. Remember that you will be in company of huge barges that are limited in manuverability.
Being able to run at 8 knots or better is important since it might be uncomfortable to take a bow wave from an empty barge on your rear quarter.
Look into insurance before moving any barge for someone else. Do you carry a captains papers? Do you want to live where there is boat work to be done?
waste disposal is a problem for a house boat that is left in one spot for long periods of time. State and federal laws frown on just dumping sewage overboard. It is amazing how quickly a couple can fill holding tanks.
As for living on a boat, go for it. Don't get too commited to one thing without a lot of investgation and remember, you are not married to one boat. If your first choice is not quite right head in another direction.
I saw a couple who had planned to live the RV fulltime lifestyle that lasted 3 weeks. Turned out they hated living that close together. They sold the new trailer and moved on. Do something and if it is not exact, change. At least you will have had the fun along the way while discovering what you want. All of the paper planning in the world will not teach you to swim, jumping in will. Just don't go over your head

 

steel tow baot and accomodations barge

Hello Guys;
We have a 24' steel work boat that we converted to a day cruiser. Looks pretty good for it's age (1992) and hard life that it had. I've ordered plans for the Millie Hill from Sam Devlin. My goal is to build the Millie Hill with a steel hull, the rest as per the plans. Will tow the 'barge' behind our steel tow boat with a pair of 'drawbars' about 6 feet long. The drawbars will attach to the stern of the tow boat with 1 7/8" trailer balls and couplers.

The draw bars would permit the two vessels to remain attached firmly, when is tow, but instanly disconnected, for when you want to anchor and go boating in the tow vessel.
The barge will share the tow boats batteries, which would be constantly charged when in use.

Simply looking for a cheap way to get out on our protected inland waters, Trent Severn Waterway, and watch the "gofastalwaysindebt" plastic boats go screaming by while we sit on our paid for bit of floating heaven.

if it has tires or a transom, it will cos tyou a lot fo money to keep it.

 

Sounds like a plan ....should work out I think.
Post pics if you can.
Would be nice to see it.Interesting concept.

 

Hello Boat Fan:

I'm really new to this site as a member, 1 hour ago!
Been a reader for over 1 year, great source of ideas.

Pics will be a while, :!: Millie Hills plans are in the mail, but hope
to start later in December on the steel hull. Been planning this for over a year, making notes etc.:idea:

Our 24' is paid for and has stupid low hourly/yearly running costs,
so it is a definite keeper. It plows along at 12 KMH at roughly1600rpm.

If we wanted to go faster, I would not have bought a 3 1/2 ton steel boat with a GM 305CI turning a VP290 leg. It actually looks like a 'fed boat', often when we approach, most others wander out of our path.

I figure towing a barge at the same speed will require about 2000rpm max. I once towed a friends 21' alum. hulled tug boat at 10KMH, no sweat.
Fuel consumption is about 1 imperial gallon per hour at 1600rpm, estimated.

Our idea is to tow the accomodations barge to anchorages, investigate local areas, and return to re-couple and spent the night or weekend.

cheers, retiredwelder