trailerable unfolding houseboat

[gonzo]

Are you saying that your claim of having sold them in the USA is not true?

 

[myark]

Oh my god, I rest my case

 

[gonzo]

I'd say you don't have a case

 

[myark]

As I said I rest my case

#53 Post Today, 09:18 AM

I have sold a Myark trailer barge pictured below to the USA some 17 years ago and did not have any problems with rules which was on the Canadian border,

Also sold the 10.X 4.8 folding trailer barge pictured below that was fully surveyed to the Australian Government and had no problems at all, in fact they asked for another one just 4 months ago but I am too busy on another project to help them and turn this down to maintain my freedom.

 

[myark]

Another design of a Myark folding trailer barge I sold to the USA

 

[humanscale]

Responding to the eBay listing you posted last page -- Yes, that is a good place to start. Thanks for sharing. That eBay vessel looks wider than 8.5 ft though for my trailerable.

Question -- based on the three concepts I presented, which do you think is best?

Concept 1 -- winch pontoon hinged to deck from its resting place on top of cabin

Concept 2 -- slide smaller pontoon out horizontally along telescoping arms, with deck hinging down from side to rest on top

Concept 3 (modified) -- after launching boat, roll out semi-submerged middle pontoon and float over and winch hinged side deck down over it?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/house-boat-/201223262696

This is and example of something low cost already to go that can have the folding structures added,
The pontoon for the folding part that sits on roof can be made from 2mm alloy "very light to lift up with one person, then deck folded down with a 5x1 manual boat winch. and the deck structure does not need to be heavy duty as its just floating jetty attached to side of house boat.

 

[myark]

humanscale

I like Concept 1 its simple where the pontoon that is resting on the roof that is made light for one person to lift upright to the floor side, then pinned, then after that the floor is easily lifted down with a 5 to 1 boat winch that is more than enough lifting power.
Lift the hinged wall side up, then the hinged ends out that give the strong structure so it can be built light as possible.
You then like you say can place the panels to cover the outside part to enclose what you desire.
To buy a second hand, say sun tracker and modified is the best idea to keep cost right down, but myself because I can DIY would make the hull the actual towing trailer structure to keep a new boat build cost down, weight down, height down, and easily to launch, and yes there are regulations but that’s no excuse not to design on paper and ask the trailer or boat inspector his comments after all its just a drawing at that stage.
People are scared to think outside the box even though all it takes is a drawing and to ask the correct authority, a person that daily inspects such things.

That's just a quick thought as I am writing this on my computer as I am very busy preparing an idea for www.kickstarter.com right this moment.
Your design can be done in many ways but I am just advising the way you have suggested already giving some confidence support.
It’s not rocket science

 

[myark]

Fold out a sides have been around a long time, especially with high performance sailing boats that the hinged systems have large amounts of force on the outside pontoons and have never have problems with the survey,
They have no wall and roof structures to box around and support the outrigger like you have.
Your hinged outrigger is simple and strong for jetty attached to the side of a 8'wide house boat.

 

[humanscale]

yeah, I had seen that TravelWave 360 boat (left two photos) with pontoons that fold to the roof. It does not appear to significantly increase the deck space, so I'm not sure why the designer had them descend like that.

I'm preparing a new drawing with a re-worked Concept #1 with integrated trailer. Starting with something like the Admiral Drive's float trailer (minus front gate) with flat bottom (photo above), building a sturdy cabin on top and a lightweight pontoon that folds to the roof attached to hinged deck along the side. This boat would have to be built from scratch I think.

Concept #3 (float out middle pontoon) would be cheaper to do because I can start with an existing pontoon boat, but i would need a modified trailer.

I'll post updated drawings later.

 

[myark]

This picture although it’s a small house for land can give and idea how the sides can be placed together taking very little space and becoming structurally secure when pined together.
I have designed the same for the folding 10. X 4.8 Myark folding trailer barge 25 years ago.
When the Myark folding trailer barge is unfolded, all the luxury furniture, kitchen, shower and toilets are built inside the hulls including built in sewage and fresh water chambers, then all the walls and roofs naturally unfolded out to secure a 10. X 4.8 luxury house boat that can float in ankle deep water.
The width when folded was 2.4 and then a press of the button it unfolded automatically, it has a sundeck on the roof giving a large amount of leisure space.
I have designed smaller ones as well than can be towed by small car.
When all folded up and stored it’s under lock and key and safe from whether and thieves as the wheels can be removed while stowed on land.
These style Myark folding trailer barges can be used as cottages on land such as in flood prone regions like the Mississippi to feel safe from floods but it can be transported to safer areas if flooded.
Because the large models are slightly smaller than a shipping container they can placed on the back of truck and exported by ship besides been towed by a 4x4 pickup.

 

[humanscale]

yes, sounds great, this is what I have in mind. Since you've built this, can you share any photos or basic plans as inspiration for my project?

This picture although it’s a small house for land can give and idea how the sides can be placed together taking very little space and becoming structurally secure when pined together.
I have designed the same for the folding 10. X 4.8 Myark folding trailer barge 25 years ago.
When the Myark folding trailer barge is unfolded, all the luxury furniture, kitchen, shower and toilets are built inside the hulls including built in sewage and fresh water chambers, then all the walls and roofs naturally unfolded out to secure a 10. X 4.8 luxury house boat that can float in ankle deep water.
The width when folded was 2.4 and then a press of the button it unfolded automatically, it has a sundeck on the roof giving a large amount of leisure space.
I have designed smaller ones as well than can be towed by small car.
When all folded up and stored it’s under lock and key and safe from whether and thieves as the wheels can be removed while stowed on land.
These style Myark folding trailer barges can be used as cottages on land such as in flood prone regions like the Mississippi to feel safe from floods but it can be transported to safer areas if flooded.
Because the large models are slightly smaller than a shipping container they can placed on the back of truck and exported by ship besides been towed by a 4x4 pickup.

 

[humanscale]

Hi Everyone,

I created a detailed SketchUp model of modified Concept #3 unfolded, and placed it in Google Earth. I don't know if the attachment will work (YOU MUST REMOVE THE .TXT TO OPEN IT -- it is a Google Sketchup file that opens in Google Earth, but the .kmz format can't be uploaded directly). You can walk around and through the interior and exterior. I omitted the roof and made walls opaque to aid walk-through and lines of sight. It's my first SketchUp model, so please be kind.

As depicted in my earlier drawing (also attached), my Concept 3 is the approach where set-up is the middle pontoon floated out and over to where the hinged deck comes down to meet it. The middle pontoon is still visible in this rendering (need to remove it). I added a couple of embellishments that may be more fantasy than reality, including extra inflatable beds that sit on hinged platforms that fold down. Basically, this expandable trailerable pontoon houseboat has four queen size beds, a spacious living room, full size bathroom, deck with hottub. Comments/questions welcome -- I'm wondering what kind of trailer would be need to support this, and how light weight I could make it.

Google Earth streams the world over wired and wireless networks
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in photographic detail. This is not like any map you have ever seen.
This is a 3D model of the real world, based on real satellite images
combined with maps, guides to restaurants, hotels, entertainment,
businesses and more. You can zoom from space to street level instantly
and then pan or jump from place to place, city to city, even country
to country. Get Google Earth. Put the world in perspective.
(http://earth.google.com)

 

[humanscale]

Here are standard 2D views direct from sketchup for those of you interested. I modified the design a bit more, adding a fifth unfolding bedroom, and added a description of set-up. I'm currently working on a full animation.

 

[Squidly-Diddly]

I like this "Float Trailer" concept. http://www.admiraldrive.com/FT2069.html

Always thought it would be cool to have decent size boat (30-40ft) able to lower wheels and at least crawl up a ramp and gingerly motor about town at limited speeds all on its own, or at least from the marina to a distant parking spot. Much more boat that motor vehicle, unlike those amphibian buses.

 

[humanscale]

I've created a more modest 23ft version of my Concept #3. Overall, the boat packed up on the trailer is 8 ft wide and 13 ft high. Ceiling height in the cabin is a comfortable 8ft. Here are renders of my concept --

(1) packed up on trailer
(2) with middle pontoon floated out and into position
(3) fully unpacked.

I'd like to build this boat, starting with an existing pontoon boat with decent size pontoons (u-shaped profile pontoons?). The deck of the existing boat would need strengthening and the underside altered for the middle flat-bottom float-out "pontoon". This middle pontoon would be custom (price?). The hinged deck, cabin, and "drawbridge" bed platforms would be custom. Would a shipping container be too heavy starting point for the cabin? This boat could be done ugly or done right, and I'd rather do it right. And, of course, the issues of road worthiness and regulations would need to be carefully addressed.