If you have thoughts to buy a houseboat, then you should know that there are many different types of boats that are available. From the ultra-premium ones to the affordable ones, the price ranges are very wide. There are quite a few choices available and never rush into buying without understanding the different types of houseboats.
Depending on the location you are planning to live in, you should already know which type of water body you want to reside on. Now, all that’s left to learn is the difference between saltwater and freshwater houseboat.
The choice between a saltwater and freshwater houseboat is a big one, and there are many reasons why boat owners should choose one type of boat over the other.
So, in this post, we will discuss the differences between different types of houseboats and give you all the information you need to decide which type of boat is right for you.
Table of Contents
Differences Between Saltwater and Freshwater Houseboats
Hull Coating Protection
The main differences between them are the level of protection and deterioration against these 2 types of water bodies. Saltwater boats experience more corrosion from the water and require marine paint and coating to deter marine growth and antifouling. Even so, over time, barnacles and algae build up and your boat will start deteriorating your hull integrity and increase fuel consumption.
Freshwater boats, on the other hand, are more susceptible to fouling and corrosion if put in saltwater conditions. However, it is generally fine for saltwater houseboats to be in freshwater conditions.
Saltwater will corrode materials 5~10X faster compared to freshwater so you need to be wary of hull coating types.
Hull Shape Design
Freshwater houseboats are usually inland boats used in freshwater bodies like lakes and rivers. So, the bottom is generally flat to glide around shallow waters.
Saltwater houseboat is designed specifically to suit rougher conditions of the ocean with a deeper V to cut the waves. But there are some other types of hull designs that are worthy to sail in the sea and we got it all covered in this post here.
Engine’s Cooling System
You need to check with the manufacturer the type of cooling system the houseboat adopts. Some boats have a closed cooling system that uses coolant or freshwater while some draw water directly from the water body for cooling.
For any case that relies on drawing raw water for engine cooling, you need to perform flush down every single use to keep saltwater and its corrosive contents out. Especially, if it is designed for freshwater use, the cooling system will most probably not be able to handle saltwater.
Galvanic Corrosion Protection System
Galvanic corrosion is not limited to saltwater but the speed at which it corrodes is alarming. This corrosion occurrence is due to the process called electrolysis (degradation of a metal caused by chemical or electrochemical oxidation of its surface). In simpler terms, when 2 different metals are in contact with the water, the electrochemical protects the cathode(more noble metal) from corroding by sacrificing the anode(less noble metal).
Most, if not all saltwater houseboats will typically have this system to prevent galvanic corrosion from occurring by introducing a zinc anode to protect your hull, propellor, and shaft. These important and expensive metals are connected by a series of wires to prolong their lifespan.
While zinc anode is great for saltwater, you need a suitable anode for different types of water bodies. For brackish water, aluminum is usually used and magnesium works best for freshwater.
Things to Take Note:
Generally, houseboats manufacturers are able to provide you with this information when you are selecting your houseboat.
- To prolong the lifespan of the houseboat, it will be a good idea to rinse the hull and engine area with fresh water to remove as much salt water as possible. Use a water hose to rinse hard-to-reach places and a soft brush to remove salt deposits, internally and externally.
- Do a regular check for rust and corrosion, if an area of the hull has corrosion it may mean that the protective layer of the hull is compromised.
- Freshwater Houseboats are generally more affordable than their saltwater counterparts, and they’re also generally easier to maintain.
- If you start to notice bubbles or blisters forming on the bottom, fix it immediately before it permeates the entire hull
- To increase the lifespan of your houseboat, you should coat the hull and other parts with a protective layer of paint suited for the ocean.
- Check your anodes annually and replace them immediately if 50% has corroded away.
Final Note
Don’t ruin your experience owning a houseboat! All in all, it’s always important to learn about the environmental factors, and how they affect your houseboats. For peace of mind, I recommend asking a professional to maintain your houseboat.
I hope this article will be helpful to provide more insights into your purchasing decision!