Living aboard

Question
QUESTION: My wife and I want to buy a used boat to live aboard and cruise the Mississippi and its major tributaries March thru Oct of 08.  We have both completed the US Power Squadron Boat Smart class on basic boating skills and safety.  I'm thinking 28' to 30'.  It has to be large enough to have a decent head, separate shower, small stove, and small refrigerator.  Operating cost is important.  Will a pontoon type houseboat with a small engine be adequate?  Anything you can point out to be consider in the selection of type of boatwould be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: Hi Pat...thank you for selecting the undersigned to respond to your question.

First of all, I'm impressed that BOTH of you, I presume, successfully completed the USPS Boating program. Did that include your VHF radio licence? If not, get it. The used boat you select may be equipped with one, and you'll need on your cruise up/down the Mississippi. I also recommend taking the "weather" course. It's value is immense. I'm a squadron training officer with the Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons.

I get the impression you folks are edging toward retirement, because of the comfort levels you've expressed. First of all, because of the design of the hull, a regular boat with ample power will get up and plane out, but at greater cost than a houseboat, which isn't as confining a standard hull.

A houseboat has many advantages over a regular boat hull. First of all, it is more stable from side to side and won't roll back and forth nearly as much. Secondly, it offers everything on one floor level, so there's no stairs to climb, and in most cases, the head and shower facilities are fairly generous. The galley will likely accommodate a full size propane/electric fridge and stove, whereas a regular boat's space is limited, and usually offers a 2 burner alcohol stove and a small fridge or ice box.

Overall, it boils down to personal preference. A houseboat is far more spacious, comfortable, and convenient in many respects, in my opinion, and dealing with one floor level, not 2. Houseboats are powered by inboard/outboard sterndrive engines or by outboards. Outboard motors today offer better economy as well as performance, and are not as expensive to maintain. So, the choice is yours. Good Luck!

Safe Boating
Ron

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the reply.  Yes, we were both certified.  Radio etiquette, proper Mayday procedure was covered and source information for obtaining a license.  I am currently in central Illinois.  My Wife is temporarily living in Anacortes, WA.  Lots of marinas and boats there.  While there she is taking "Boating Skills and Seamanship" offered by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.  It is much more extensive than the class we already completed and I believe it does include a section on radio.  In any case we will heed your advice and become licensed.

Many of the houseboats I've seen advertised in places like Boats.com list cruising speeds of 6 to 8 knots.  I'm not sure what current speeds will be average but we won't always be going downstream and I'm a little worried we won't be able to very far without working a small motor to death.  Your thoughts on that?

Answer
Hi Pat

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like the two of you are really interested in becoming well-informed and educated boaters.

I forgot to mention the difference between a pontoon and full hull houseboat. Pontoon models tend to be used in smaller lakes, rivers, etc. because they're not conducive to encountering high seas, and they can be tossed around in the wind quite easily, as the wind gets underneath and tunnels the length of the boat. Whereas a full hull houseboat is much more stable, can encounter heavy seas without difficulting, and won't be influenced by winds.

Most full hull houseboats have either an inboard engine or inboard/outboard system, the latter being more manoeuvrable, but some do have outboards, which are more economical to operate. For a 30' houseboat, I wouldn't go below 50hp. Hope I've been helpful.

Safe Boating
Ron