| Transient Shelters, Part 7 |
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Houseboats Off-grid guides avoid talking about houseboats as though they were carriers of the plague. In actuality, the difference between a houseboat and an RV is nothing more than a set of wheels. A houseboat is a boat designed or modified to be used primarily as a home or dwelling. Houseboats are typically moored (fixed) or motorized and mobile. Mooring costs big money, and of course comes with varying hookup resources. Again, a fully hooked-up, moored houseboat is not off-grid. Also, marina costs can be hefty$1,000 to $5,000 per year. In many areas of the world, including the United States, it's possible to live in a boat and never dock in the same place. Lake Powell, for instance, which extends into Arizona and Utah, has over 2,000 miles of shoreline pitted with deep inlets, unspeakably beautiful scenery, great fishing, and a pleasant climate. It's often called America's favorite houseboating destination. Houseboats usually range from 30 to 70 feet in length and can supply as much as 2,000 square feet of living space. A small family could easily get along with a 40-foot boat. Houseboats are stocked with the same amenities as RVs, and are actually comparable in price. There are now houseboats on the market that are factory wired with hybrid electricity generating systems that can supply lots of power without burning propane or gasoline. Occasionally someone will use a yacht as a houseboat, but livable yachts are even more expensive than houseboats. There are definite advantages to buying a new boat. First, the warranties are in place, and the accessories and systems should all work flawlessly. Even so, incredible deals can be had by those willing to risk purchasing a used boat. A quick look on the Internet will deluge you with boats less than 35 years old that average $125 per linear foot. A lot of repair and modification can be done with the money you save. By the way, houseboats are often sold time-shared like condos (although these "condo boats" are usually heavily grid-dependent). |
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