Houseboats are increasingly popular across the country. They can be used in many situations. You can take them on vacation. You can use them as a home base or a place to live when you are busy traveling. But not everyone is suited to live aboard. Not without some tips and things that will make your life easier living on the water.
Whether you’re looking for a temporary home while traveling or looking for something that allows you to live more efficiently, houseboating can be both enjoyable and beneficial.
So let’s jump right into the list of what is essential when living in one of these houses!
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Things to Consider Before Living In a Houseboat
A road less traveled is one that is not as obvious or straightforward as the others, yet there is a benefit in taking the trip. Planning and preparation are key in deciding whether or not to pursue this goal, and this guide is written to help you prepare for the journey.
Storage and organization are fairly common chores for owners of houseboats, considering you can’t just add additional room space on ‘land’. If you plan to keep your houseboat in one place for the entire summer, you’ll want to make sure that your storage will be adequate and accessible.
However, it’s important for you to know the essential things that you need to pack in order to make yourself comfortable.
So if you are reading this article, chances are that one of the very first things that come to mind is what do you need when you live or travel on a houseboat. But there are other factors at play here.
The truth is that there are many factors that influence the decision of whether you will use your houseboat as a vacation home or as a place to live permanently. For instance, your houseboat must be able to accommodate your needs such as sleeping and eating places, kitchen, bathroom, and shower facilities as well as some other basic necessities such as clothing and personal belongings.
What materials or equipment (such as propane tanks or generators) need to be on board (to make life easier when you’re away from land).
Houseboat Essential: General Safety
There are different groups of essential items, and I’ll go through each and every one of them with you.
General items are items that you need to have on your boat regardless of what it is. These are the items that you will use every single day while boating. These include items such as your anchor, anchor line, first aid kit, spare parts, life jackets, a GPS and the list goes on and on.
Anchor & Anchor Line: This is something you should invest more money in purchasing a reliable anchor, there are too many horror stories out there, the last thing you want to wake up the next day in another part of the river. A good anchor, nylon rope, and good anchoring skills will keep the houseboat in position. If you have no experience in choosing the right type of anchor or how to set a firm anchor, we strongly suggest you check out these 2 posts.
First Aid Kit: This is probably a no-brainer for many, but it is important to ensure all items like bandages, gauze pads, tape, and tourniquets are included to cover as many physical injuries as possible. (Emotional injuries items will be out next summer. For now, a cold six-pack will help to ease a heartbreak). Be aware that some of the items like sterile wipes and bandages have an expiration date. So remember to check them and get them replaced or it renders them completely useless during an emergency.
Tool Box & Spare Equipment: Please be aware things may break or become faulty. From water leakage to an electrical outage, you won’t really know what will happen the next minute. So having spare parts and a toolbox might just come in handy.
Life Jackets & Lifeboat: I know, these are the two items you wished you’ll never use. But preparing for the worst-case scenario isn’t a bad option too. Always check if they are in good condition before moving out. A faulty life jacket and lifeboat are just like wearing an out of fashion orange vest and a thick orange plastic blanket in the water with you.
GPS & Radio Communication: Saying hi to fellow boaters can be one of its functions but the primary function of a radio is to call for help in case of an emergency. Make sure your boat has the ability to make a distress call and that the battery is properly charged. Especially for marine VFH communication devices, do not play a fool with it. These are used for emergencies so saying hi is not the thing to do.
Backup power generators & Solar Panels: It’s important to always keep the batteries charged and solar panels on your boat will save you from having to use the engine for power. Solar power is a great way to extend the life of your generator as well as charge your phone to complete the last level of candy crush.
Fire Extinguisher: A fire extinguisher should be kept in every houseboat. It is extremely easy to make a decision, a very powdery houseboat or it burning to ashes.
Houseboat Insurance: It is highly recommended to have houseboat insurance because you never know what can happen on the water, especially during the monsoon season. Nothing is worst than seeing your houseboat sink and realizing you didn’t get any insurance.
Houseboat Essentials: Storage
Storage will be a hassle and chore if it’s not well-planned. But I’m here to make your houseboat experience an enjoyable one. Always remember to secure it. You don’t want your storage items to have an accelerated 6 degrees of freedom like your houseboats do.
Duty Storage Cabinet: This can hold all of your cleaning supplies, soaps, towels, toiletries — even larger items like electronics — a very durable and reliable cabinet that can last for decades!
Multi-purpose Furniture: Whoever started this trend deserves an award, I have a dining table that can transform into a day bed in less than 20 seconds!
Who would have thought I will be able to own mini transformers (Referenced from the Transformers Movie) in my room?
Now everyone can be James Bond before they sleep. A press of a button and a murphy bed coming out from the wall is every spy’s favorite item.
Houseboat Essentials: Basic Household Appliances
I don’t think I need to say anything here, the most basic household appliances will make your life easier.
Hatch Screens: This is a must for all houseboats, it keeps insects out but still allows natural ventilation.
Shade screens: Do you ever feel like you easily get sunburned when you’re out on the water body or swimming? That’s because you are exposed to more UV rays through the reflection of the water. So, staying indoors with your shade screen down might just keep you from getting red the next day. If you will be out on deck for long hours, do apply some sunscreen on yourself.
Refrigerator: It is the place where you store all your food, so you have to be sure that it’s large enough to store a large quantity of food.
Washing Machine & Dryer: Compared to washing clothes in the river, this is a lifesaver.
Sunshade: A sunshade is very useful for those who spend most of their time outside and don’t want to get a sunburn.
Sunscreen & Bug Spray: If you plan to spend time outdoors while docked (you probably won’t need any while staying indoors).
Mini-split Heat Pump: Having a mini-split heat pump will save you a lot of money in the long run, and it is very reliable. Here is a post on how to size your mini split heat pump.
Freshwater System and water purification: Provide constant water safe for washing, drinking, and bathing. If you are wondering where does freshwater comes from, don’t worry! We’ve got it covered here too.
Water Heater: A hot shower is a luxury and an important part of the houseboat lifestyle.
TV: I’m not sure how people survive without the ability to watch their favorite TV shows.
Final Note
If you are described as tranquil and serene, trying to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and all its headaches. Keep a list of these items so that you don’t have to add more problems than you already have.
I hope these few extra items make your houseboat experience even more enjoyable and have the best houseboat experience possible.
I will continue to write more articles about houseboats in the future.
If you have any questions about the list or the article, feel free to ask!
Until next time!