I just pulled the trigger - again. Last time, the survey didn't work out.
Anyway, I made an offer, we negotioated and we came to an agreement. Next stop - Survey time. That's always the fun time. That wont happen until around May 29.
It's a Mainship 36' Aft Cabin Motoryacht. It thinks it's a houseboat and I wont tell it anything different. That would be like telling your kids Santa ain't real. I hope we can keep this little secret.

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

Congratulations!

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Dan
Lake Monroe
Bloomington, IN
1986 Gibson 50'
Twin 454's

Here is a pic of our new-to-us boat if survey, etc. goes well.

I sure hope this forum has a "Dont ask - Dont tell" policy.
I can only hope you guys dont do 'nautical profiling'.

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

Wow that looks like a REALLY nice boat! Hope all goes well with the purchase!

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

Thanks Willie.
The Survey is on May 29 and the closing on June 1. Lets hope it all pans out.

Now, to sell my sailboat Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

Tony:
Good for you. I hope it all works out.

I probably shouldn't say it on this forum---but--my next boat choice would be a Motoryacht like yours, before it would be a houseboat.
clarencio

Admittedly motoryachts or trawlers have some advantages over a conventional houseboat; they're more seaworthy and generally more "boaty". If offshore or even "coastal" cruising is in your plans a houseboat is not they way to go.

On the other hand, houseboats are probably less expensive, roomier for their size, and draw less water. We recent abandoned the purchase of a nice diesel trawler... reasons: space, and draft. The trawler had a "pretty" but tiny (and uncomfortable) wheelhouse/galley/saloon with nothing but a settee for guests. The Retreat has a nearly 12 x 12 saloon with a full sofa, recliner, and drop leaf table. The trawler had a 4'2" draft, the houseboat has a 2'5" draft. We decided that the offshore ability of the trawler wasn't worth giving up the ability to gunkhole in the interesting backwaters. If we could have justified the expense of owning both, we would have.

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

I was having such a hard time making a choice and Willie has the main items covered. I even made a quickie comparison chart on the pros and cons of both.
I could have either way and been happy. I picked this particular boat based on price, opportunity and close proximity to where I am now - about 2 miles away.
We about gave up on finding a house boat down here. There just aren't too many. And those are all several hundred miles away and inland.
I am not real excited about owning 2 boats at the same time with hurricane season coming up but I have done that before. Oh yeah, I remember saying that that would never happen again. Oh well.
Anyway, I hope the survey goes well so at least we can feel 'settled'. If it doesn't, I wont be disappointed either - gets back to the 2 boats at the same time thing.

Less than a year ago i was thinking about retiring in another 2 years or so. sell the boat, the shop and everything else, go inland or do the loop thing or whatever.

Then a few months back when my helper made an offer to buy my shop which was not really up for sale yet, I jumped on it. Now retiring has become close to an obsession.

If we end up with this boat, then we have a course to follow. If not, I am still flexible as to which way to go. There is a certain comfort in that.

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

Depending on the marina you're in a boat could fare better than a house. A friend of mine had his boat near you and it simply floated on top of the storm surge with minimal damage.

He's going the other way; is selling (or has sold) his trawler in favor of a sailboat.

When I lived in Galveston houseboats were not very common. Galveston Bay can get ROUGH, and a friend of mine nearly lost his Gibson when some friends talked him into a fishing trip in the Gulf.

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

Edited: 05/20/2012 at 08:19:22 AM by stmbtwle

Most marinas down here have floating docks and are substantially built.
We took a direct hit from Hurricane Ike and this marina had no losses. The marinas without floating docks were pretty much destroyed.

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

UPDATE !

We had the survey on Tues May 29th - the day before yesterday.
Survey went so-so.
The main problems were that both engines had corrosion on the risers and the generator has heavy corrosion on the manifold/riser. Next problem is that both engine shafts had both cutlass bearings (front and rear) very worn. According to the surveyor, all of the above needs to be replaced. Not major problems, just expensive ones.
I called my mechanic and got some rough prices. At the same time, the broker called the owner and informed him of the situation. I made a proposal in which I was also willing to share some of the burden - worked out a new 'agreed to' price in which we were both satisified.
The closing was set for tomorrow but there is some delays on his end with the paperwork so the closing will be next week. I will be flying off-shore Saturday so I will be signing papers tomorrow and my wife will be at the closing and sign the last of the stuff on Tues.
All in all, this was a very busy week off especially if we throw in the toothache and my bout with the dentist. Now I know why I refer to my work on the rigs as "Blue Water Re-Hab". I need to get back to work so I can get some rest.

-------------------------
Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

Edited: 05/31/2012 at 05:44:38 PM by TonyB

Sounds like the survey process went great. Pretty much like a home inspection and appraisal. Sometimes you have to go back to the table and to a bit of tweaking on the deal, but not a thing wrong with that. If you are happy with the final renegotiated deal then all is good..........Congratulations!

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Dan
Lake Monroe
Bloomington, IN
1986 Gibson 50'
Twin 454's

Thanks for the Congrats.
I have always found that a good surveyor has paid for himself immediately.
And yes, we were both very satisfied with the final deal.
Now if I can only get my sailboat sold. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm??????????

-------------------------
Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

Tony:
Congratulations on your new boat, with a pointy front end.
clarence

Thanks Clarence.
My plan is to drive it in reverse so I can sneak up on you guys.
If that dont work, I can always remove the point or maybe just throw a piece of plywood up there to square it off.
I figure if I live in it, it's my house. If it floats and has a motor, it's a boat. Soooooooooooooo, it's my houseboat. I'll just be that strange looking new kid in school.

Tony B

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

Well isn't the true definition of a houseboat considered a boat that a person could live on for some length of time... Well I just went and looked and found a humerus definition....

A houseboat is a floating structure designed to be used as a residence, often including typical home amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms, and ample floor space. These structures differ from boats designed for transportation or sport in that they are often modified in ways that limit their ability to navigate water and are usually moored. Some houseboats even lack motors and are designed only to float, not to move. It is possible to live on a houseboat in the ocean, but the tide makes these houseboats move constantly, so still waters or gentle rivers are generally preferred docking sites.

The construction of a houseboat is largely dependent on where it is located. In many countries, houseboats that resemble houses with windows, doors, and decks are the most popular. Some locations have traditional houseboats with their own designs, which may not have a direct connection with land housing styles in the area. Almost all houseboats are built with stability in mind, often including broad bases to minimize movement. It is important for a houseboat to be stable because, as a primary residence, it will often house furniture and breakable objects that should not roll or move around.

In many locations, a houseboat is moored directly to a dock, allowing easy access to land. Some houseboats are anchored in the middle of lakes or simply too far from land to jump, and these must include a way of getting to and from shore. A smaller boat is usually attached to the home for transportation. This smaller boat must have a place where it can be kept on the shore when the houseboat's inhabitants are not at home.

There are also boats that function as residences that are not considered houseboats. For instance, it is possible to live on a luxury yacht, but this is considered a different type of boat. The identifying features of houseboats usually include limited mobility, although this is actually a matter of use, not potential. In essence, a houseboat is a structure that is used as a house rather than a boat, not a boat that is also a house.

While these boats are considered acceptable primary residences in many areas, they are often also used as seasonal or holiday housing. Renting a houseboat may be a vacation in itself, or it may be used to travel around on a river or lake. One of the most appealing features of houseboating is the potential for escape from the troubles of land, such as work. Living on such a boat and bringing those troubles home may defeat this purpose. For this reason, many people who use houseboats continue to keep a land home and use the boat mainly for recreation.

Anyway I'm grateful my weekender is quite mobile and we spend every weekend away from the dock. I also tend to feel that Tony will also be exercising his houseboat to visit, live and enjoy the surroundings wherever the spot trips his fancy. Live long and prosper Tony and may you enjoy your newly acquired Houseboat..

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Respect Our Outdoor Recreational Resources
Leaving Only "Footprints in the Sand"

2003 5.3 Chevy P/U
1972 35' Crest Pontoon Houseboat
2007 90 hp. Yamaha

Edited: 06/01/2012 at 05:41:28 AM by Bamby

Thanks Bamby

I sure would like to meet some of you folks next year on our slow trek northward.
Right now we are thinking late winter/early spring. If we have a mild winter, then "sooner" is the operative word.
We have a lot of things we need to do before the trip and so little time to do it in.
Since I will be retiring next year, we will have the early winter to get things done that we can't get done this year.

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

If your "slow trek northward" includes going around Florida, we have room for you. Keep us posted.

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

Thanks for the offer Willie. We just might take you up on that in 2014.
Our first trek northward will be going up Mobile Bay and heading to the northern part of Kentucky Lake. We want to experience one season out of hurricane territory. Also because I may take on a contract or 2 offshore during 2013 and dont want to leave the boat abandoned on the coast during a hurricane threat and me still being offshore that week.
In 2014 I have no plans of ever working again and if the Admiral is up to it, we will be heading back down south to do the Great Loop. That will also give me a chance to swing by my Florida and NY relatives for a while.
Our kids and grand kids are in Little Rock, Dallas and St. Louis. Kentucky Lake will put us within a descent driving distance from all of them.
Sooooooooooo, start aging the cheap red wine now.

Regards
Tony B

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

OK we'll start a new batch...

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw