One of the best things about Houseboatmagazine.com is the forum. There is an amazing group of people who meet online to discuss our favorite topics, houseboats! Between the members, there is not one thing they can't help you with or that they don't have any experience with.   

One of our moderators is Pirate (a.k.a. Ed). Here are some of this thoughts on houseboating.

1. What kind of boat do you currently own? size, year, manufacturer, cool amenities.

I have just sold a 1997 63' ft Hilburn Coastal Houseboat. It was loaded with forward stateroom and cuddy cabin plus full master two heads and showers one with tub, washer dryer, central heat and air fly bridge and full galley. Pretty well loaded.

2. What is your favorite thing about houseboating?

Sites, traveling the rivers and the people you meet. Most boaters are helpful and courteous.  They stick together like glue.

3. What is your dream boat?

I have just worked a deal on my dream boat a 61 ft. Chris/Craft Commander with Detroit12v71Ns has an 18 ft beam, it has three private state rooms plus captains quarters.  Master stateroom is 18x 16 has huge head with tub and shower.  it has three full heads each with a type II electrosan, intercom thru- out, stand up engine room, two 15 KW Kohler gensets, built in bar behind the pilot house with wet bar ice maker etc Huge aft deck, 6 marine heat and air units.  Boat is like a tank weighs over 80,000 ibs . Has huge main salon  with a hide abed and will sleep 12 altogether. I was a Chris dealer in the 70's and did not know this boat existed as they only made 8 of them. I am also going to get a 50 ft Gibson for inland excursions.

4. Share a fun/exciting boating memory:

Winning the houseboat races on Old Hickory Lake in TN and going up to Cordell Hull in my 50 ft Gibson, we had a ball up there, nice friendly people and total fun.

5. What is your favorite meal to cook while houseboating?

T-bone steaks charcoaled on the grill.

6. How long have you been houseboating?

40 years

7. Where do you dock your boat?

My marina on the Tenn- Tom waterway, Pirate's Marina Cove

8. Who do you houseboat with?

Buddy Utterback, Martha Farr and Dolly Cheatham