Author Topic: Cruiser Vs Houseboat  (Read 25670 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Glastronjohn18

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 959
  • project in progress
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #20 on: January 21, 2015, 05:50:33 PM »
Not fond of pontoons?   Need extra room? Can't afford a new houseboat?  No place to moor a motoryacht?
Have I got a Deal for you!
How 'bout this one.  It's fairly large and the price is reasonable.

1976 26'Silverton very good condition (FREE) after paying storage (syracuse ny)

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/boa/4843716979.html

John
'80 CVX 18 - Survivor Class
'78 CVX 18
'76 V 225 -   Bal Harbor
'80 V195XL
'86 CVX 18- And '86 Makes 3

Offline OleRed

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1688
    • Oklahoma Boating Group
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #21 on: January 21, 2015, 08:17:02 PM »
no trailer
may be a single engine direct drive, hard to back into a slip, some were twin engine, 305 chevy's
most singles were 318 Chryslers. But .. just figure any 45year old boat needs to be checked out Really Good .. motor mounts, screws into the stringers, pull a couple bolts and look at them, damp ain't good ya know, will tell you the condition of the stringer.
The thru-hull drive always leak, they are supposed too, so checking out the stringers are critical, there is always water in the bilge.
Single engine models were Realy slow, 18 / 20 knots wot just to maintain plane, heavy boats.
Red
« Last Edit: January 21, 2015, 08:20:26 PM by OleRed »
1980 23ft Scimitar

Offline Gotesh

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 135
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #22 on: January 22, 2015, 12:24:34 PM »
Dang.  A couple buddies and I just went in together and bought a pontoon.

How will I live with the shame?

Offline Plugcheck

  • Donate members
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3267
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #23 on: January 22, 2015, 10:10:07 PM »
Everyone has their opinion, but "loser cruiser" is a bit harsh.  We owned a Bennington 2275cc and had some awesome times with it.  Somewhat a floating living room, ours had four fishing seats, and truly fit the widest range of interests for us.   Parents were old, kids were young, it was great.  Direct walk on to dock, no drop down.  Given a ramp, I could load a wheelchair bound individual.  With 90 HP, we could do 25mph, pull tubers and skiers. Held 15 people.   We camped with it on the river, carried everything we needed.  Had a big Bimini top that keep me in the shade.  Trailered well, light for its size.  In short it was awesome.  We had slips with other huge cabin cruisers, they never left the slip. We could come and go, easy on gas, easy to take out to other water.  Time goes on and our needs changed, parents gone, kids grow up, wanted a v8 I/O go fast boat.  Houseboats are nice, but to me basically a water bound cabin.  Cruisers are nice, but pricey.  Camper on the water.  Good luck in your search.
Michael
1979 CVZ-18 388 CI Vortec Mouse
1980 CVX-16SS 140 Mercruiser
1979 CVX-16 Johnson 175
2002 Bennington 2275CC 90 Mercury
1985 Intimidator project
1989 Lowe 200 Redneck fishin Toon
2001 Godfrey Sweetwater pontoon 115 Rude

Offline Hyperacme

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13463
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #24 on: January 23, 2015, 10:03:14 AM »
In the end it's the yearly costs of everything involved with owning, operating and storing a large older boat /house boat.
Even a 25 footer in a slip for a few years got very expensive.

It was awesome to grab some dinner and a movie, and head down to the boat for the night, maybe go for a cruise or just sit at the dock with some friends.
I would love to live on a large boat !

I'm just saying how quickly the bill's racked up .... 

Offline fireman24mn

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2060
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #25 on: January 23, 2015, 11:07:15 AM »
For the size of boat we are looking at it looks like it would be around 4-5,500 per year for slip, winter storage, winterizing, summerizing, haul in-haul out, and shrink wrapping. It depends where we slip and if I do the winter and summer prep.

My thoughts are that I would like a place on the water. If I were to find a cabin that i could afford to purchase and maintain it would prob be 2 plus hours away or on a smaller lake. With the way property taxes are I would pay 3-5,000 on taxes a year. I would still need to mow the lawn, trim trees, put in / take out dock, etc, etc, etc. With a house boat I can go to many different areas on the river, I could potentially have it brought to another body of water or different area of the river every year. I will have maintenance costs on a boat but I would have them on a house as well. I figure the boat could be slipped close to home and the taxes vs slip fees are about the same.  The only real down side I can see is that a lake house would more than likely appreciate and a boat will more than likely depreciate. But if I take care of a boat well and do some upgrades the boat should hold the value pretty well.

Just my thoughts.
I think this has become an addiction.


1977 CV-23 I/O Full Resto complete
1976 CV-16 V8 Resto in progress
1985 Pearson MotorYacht 43ft

Offline thedeuceman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3356
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #26 on: January 23, 2015, 11:56:44 AM »
yer thoughts on having a cabin or lake place are right on the mark.
Joe
75 GT150 "SeaDeuced"... Its Back !!
92 16CSS "Attitude Adjustment" is for sale
75 CV-16V8, Project
74 CV-16... its Purple !

Offline Jerry

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2902
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #27 on: January 23, 2015, 03:34:04 PM »
My motorhome sits in the back yard, I take it when we go someplace, and not the same place. Think about it. We have had one for 40 years, wouldn't be without one. It's called freedom to do what you want.



This is the one we had before. It's great with kids, and yer not tied down to one location, and big payments. The 79 Winnebago we have now cost us $3,000. There's deals out there if you look.
'72 Glastron GT160 Sport - Okie-Dokie
'63 Winner - Grandpa's Fisn-Bote
'63 Glasspar SeaFair Sunliner - Mischief Maker

Offline MarkS

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1062
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #28 on: January 23, 2015, 03:43:01 PM »
I've had "pipe dreams" about the house boat idea, but the wife won't have any part of it.  Red's SeaCamper is gonna be too cool.  Heather at Spookey Marine over in Alabama was restoring one, but ended up buying a big ole cruiser instead.  Got tired of feeding the twin Mercruisers, think it stays at the dock most of the time now.  Gas won't stay cheap for long........probably?
Mark
1978 SSV-176

Offline OleRed

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1688
    • Oklahoma Boating Group
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #29 on: January 23, 2015, 09:36:26 PM »
I haven't thought about Heather in quite a while, quite a talented girl, her sea camper is a 24ft and bringing that home was quite a story.  Mine is a 26ft and we Love it, perfect for me and the Fox, it weighs just over 5000 lbs, tows fine behind my truck, I added a few pounds to it by installing the 260hp, it had a 120hp to begin with.  It's still waiting it's turn on the finish list :)  but will only be a waiting another month or so and I'll get back to work on it.

I sold the Trans Van a couple weeks ago and bought a small motor home 22ft, 62,000 miles with a 350 chevy and geared just like the trans van was.  this one give's us a Lot more room, rides like a Cadillac, I really like the side entrance, full bath and it has a big frig.

About moving a house boat, that's Expensive, it cost me $900 to have my 45ft house boat moved to another lake 24 miles from where it was, it was 12ft wide 12 ft tall sitting on the water, 15'10" on the trailer, I had to move the fly bridge to mid deck.
« Last Edit: January 23, 2015, 09:47:13 PM by OleRed »
1980 23ft Scimitar

Offline Hyperacme

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13463
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #30 on: January 24, 2015, 05:56:19 AM »
House boat or cruiser ... Your gonna love it !
You can go out rain or shine ...
If weather look " iffy " just put the canvas up and have every one pile in ...
Having a bathroom is a double plus for the ladies.

A 25 footer worked well for us, plenty of room for three people, could idle along for weeks on 50 gal. of gas ... Kick her down and she would suck fuel like the Queen Mary ... but could do about 40 mph.

Some day we hope to get another 25 foot cruiser ....

Offline Oldfishguy

  • Donate members
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 452
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #31 on: January 24, 2015, 09:50:49 AM »

I think you are on the the right angle with spending more time on the water.  Another thing to consider though is "Where do you think you can escape with your family the best?"; not easy these days.  Maybe it is not important to you, but once you do for a few days you will want to go back.

A few years back now I would write on occasion for various publications:   



1972 1/2 Glastron CV 16
1973 Chrysler 120

Offline fireman24mn

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2060
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #32 on: January 27, 2015, 04:21:49 PM »
Red any knowledge on the Bluewater boats.  From what I have read they are pretty good boats. Any one else have any experience with them.
I think this has become an addiction.


1977 CV-23 I/O Full Resto complete
1976 CV-16 V8 Resto in progress
1985 Pearson MotorYacht 43ft

Offline OleRed

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1688
    • Oklahoma Boating Group
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #33 on: January 27, 2015, 07:47:58 PM »
Blue Water boats are well known high end boats to my knowledge, especially off shore, I've never been on one, but there were several at the marina I had my sport fisher, really classy.
1980 23ft Scimitar

Offline CVX Fever

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2000
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #34 on: January 27, 2015, 07:57:12 PM »
I think he is talking about Blue Water boats built in Mora, MN. They closed their doors a few years ago.  Al & Alma's on Lake Minnetonka have a few in their charter fleet. I suspect if they hold up in commercial use they are probably a pretty good boat.
1979 CVX18 "Back in Black"....someday!
1985 CVX18 " Only thing better than 2 CVX18's is 2 girlfriends!

Offline OleRed

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1688
    • Oklahoma Boating Group
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #35 on: January 28, 2015, 09:28:07 AM »
One of the blue water boats at the marina was a house boat made in the 70's, sleek lines, big windows, more stylish than the others, like a yacht. the other two were sport fishers, over 40ft, my sport fisher was 38ft, theirs were bigger than mine, really good looking boats, that was on Clear Lake  at Nasa Tx. by Galvaston
1980 23ft Scimitar

Offline dorelse

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5987
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #36 on: January 28, 2015, 09:41:48 AM »
BTW, Red, that RV looks like it could make the trip to Treasure Island!  Georgia can hit the slots while you tear up the river.  :D
1990 Sierra 1700

Offline CVX Fever

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2000
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #37 on: January 28, 2015, 09:42:25 AM »
That first house-boat you described sounds exactly like what was built in MN. To my knowledge they didn't build anything but big house boats but I'm not certain. Maybe more than one boat builder with the name "Blue Water"
1979 CVX18 "Back in Black"....someday!
1985 CVX18 " Only thing better than 2 CVX18's is 2 girlfriends!

Offline Hyperacme

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13463
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #38 on: January 28, 2015, 09:57:50 AM »
 2000 56' Bluewater Motor Yacht - $179900 (Stillwater)
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/bod/4857627332.html

1990 Bluewater 43 Cockpit Cruiser - $89900 (Houlton, WI)
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/bod/4833719784.html

 2001 56' Bluewater Motor Yacht - $299900 (Stillwater)
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/bod/4782707318.html


Offline fireman24mn

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2060
Re: Cruiser Vs Houseboat
« Reply #39 on: January 28, 2015, 12:01:23 PM »
If you are buying I will take the 3rd one. Otherwise those would be out of my price range.
I think this has become an addiction.


1977 CV-23 I/O Full Resto complete
1976 CV-16 V8 Resto in progress
1985 Pearson MotorYacht 43ft