1979 Gibson Executive Houseboat

Question
Hello,  We have been boating on small lakes for 10 years.  We have owned
pontoon boats, ski boats, and a wakeboarding boat.  We have recently bought
a
home in the Lake Geneva, Wisconsin area and will be boating on Lake Geneva
which I believe is about 5000 acres.  We are thinking about buying a
remodeled 1979 Gibson Executive houseboat from a broker.  We don't know
much about the maintenance costs for running and repairing a houseboat.  
Do you think there is danger in buying a houseboat that is that old?  The boat
has two Mercruiser 2.2 305 horsepower engines with 540 hours.  Also, when
you are running the boat is the generator and engines real loud so it's hard to
talk to people you have on the boat?  Any advice you can give us would be
very much appreciated.  Thank you so much.     Jim and Janet Wolande

Answer
Hi Jim & Janet

Thank you for selecting the undersigned to reply to your question.

Unfortunately, you didn't mention the beam or length of the 28 yr old houseboat, the type of construction of the hull and superstructure (steel? aluminum? fiberglass? wood?), when & how it was remodeled (cosmetically? structurally?), and when both engines were rebuilt. Is there a paper trail history relevant to prior ownership, maintenance of the hull & engines & auxillary equipment? Where did the vessel spend its winter months (in-water? protected/unprotected land storage?) Have you checked the date of manufacture of major appliances (stove/fridge/freezer/hot water heater), and what is their source of power, electricity or propane? Where is supply source of propane stored? Take a good sniff in the bilge areas for musty or unusual or unpleasant odours. If the price sounds too good to be true, look elsewhere!

Most houseboats equipped with I/O engines usually have a sufficient degree of insulation in the engine compartment to make cruising quiet and enjoyable, so I suggest you explore this aspect very closely to determine what would be required to minimize the noize level. I'd get a reliable marine mechanic to do a compression test, and check the color of the spark plugs and crank case oil.

Do you know the capacity and construction of the fuel tank(s), including the fresh water & waste water holding tanks? When were they last pressure tested for integrity? Was the electrical system upgraded to accommodate all equipment, when, and does it  currently comply with USCG standards? Does the electrical panel have fuses or breakers?

Your best bet is to have a qualified marine surveyor conduct a condition/valuation survey on the craft. It may save you money (avoid purchase), or it will offer a degree of confidence that the boat is a worthwhile investment.

Smooth Sailing
Ron Blanchet