Making your houseboat your year-round home sounds like a fantasy but can it actually be done? You see articles about other boat enthusiasts doing it, but how much are they spending? Could you afford that? In an article from Building Homes and Living they help us explore what it takes to live the dream of making your boat your home and how much it costs.

First thing to think about is if you want to stay docked in one place or move around this will help determine docking fees. Upfront costs are laid out by your choice to pay in full for your houseboat or apply for a monthly mortgage. There are advantages and disadvantages to both of these choices but it’s all about what works best for you.

Research has shown that you can buy a pre-owned Catalina, 40 ft. houseboat for around $150,000 give or take depending on the condition of the houseboat. With credit scores in the mix, the mortgage could be anywhere from $800-$1000 a month. A lot of the people who make this decision are freelancers, consultants, sales people, artists, and those don’t always know their exact monthly income, so being comfortable and solid with your monthly income is a must. You also have to keep in mind other expenses like repairs, food, heat, and electricity.

With Marina fees up to $1000 or more and “live on board” fees that can cost up to $250 a month, you are looking at an overall cost of $2500 to $3000 per month to live year- round on a houseboat. For some people that come from big cities where rent, utilities, and other expenses to live cost around $3000-$4000, this may be a steal! For those that are from rural or country areas, this may be a bit more expensive than what you were hoping for. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to do! Many times, the atmosphere and beautiful scenery you get while living on a houseboat are worth the extra costs.

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