Pontoon Houseboat Build?

[KingsBluff]

I've been doing lots of brainstorming and tossing around ideas. As far as boats go, I'm thinking a smaller houseboat (probably on pontoons) that can sleep four people is probably ideal for our family. I like the idea of "big water", which for a Minnesotan means a river or larger lake. Since it's relatively large, shallow, sandy, warm, ok for fishing, etc., I'm thinking Mille Lacs would be a good place to have a little houseboat.

So, on to the next questions - What kind of houseboat? Buy or build?

The creative part of me would love to build a boat. I'm thinking to start with a base like a pontoon platform would be the best idea since I'm probably not up to constructing a hull of any kind myself. Aside from total weight and basic balance, it seems like I could build something ideal with little concern. I'm definitely thinking an outboard is the way to go. To begin with I'm thinking low cost, but a quiet four stroke and a backup kicker would be the direction I would trend.

So,,, where do I get my platform? How big should it be? How much should I spend? Buy it with a motor or not? Where can I slip it on Mille Lacs? Is the location someplace that they can pull it out and dry dock it for winter?

These are all the kinds of things haunting me daily that I'm beginning to seek answers for. If anyone reading this is interested in offering my their thoughts, I'd be grateful. My guess is that this project will be in effect next Spring.

The other option is to buy a houseboat, but I'm thinking that would be much more money in the long run. I've done some searching, and it doesn't seem like there's many houseboats on Mille Lacs. ???

Anyway - thanks for reading what's on my mind and thanks in advance for any replies...

~ Josh

 

[crb478]

I am not familiar with the area you are in, but if you are new to boating I would buy rather than build until you figure out what you really want. If there are not many house boats on the lake or in the area there may well be a reason. Try renting a boat first and seeing what type of boat fits the waters and your family best. It would take a lot of work to convert a pontoon, and probably be more expensive in the long run than getting a good deal on a used boat.

 

[KingsBluff]

That's probably good advice. I'm sure I'd put more into a boat I'm building than any boat I'd buy. Live in MN, so there's few of us here that aren't familiar with boating, but I am brand new to houseboats. I have found several boats which look adequate to purchase. It's the creative side of me that wants to design. But I've never built a boat either. Maybe it would be better to buy a boat and just add some customization. All food for thought. Thank you.

 

[ahicks]

10 or 12 people are all many pontoon boats will handle safely, and fully loaded, that boat is going to be sitting pretty low in the water. Some older ones won't handle that weight. So from a weight perspective, figuring the boat would maintain a capacity for 6 people, this allows your house boat conversion to weigh no more than 4-6 people at maximum. Other than shelter, what is this houseboat going to provide? Shower and toilet would be nice, but those may start add serious weight as you are not allowed to pump waste water overboard.

This in mind, I don't think I'd try this with a 24' boat. I'd be looking for 28' minimum.

We did a lot of camping with our old 24' boat, trailering it all over the place. We used a tent and screen enclosure in the evenings, stowing them daytime to allow typical daytime cruise mode (open, easy to move around) and preserve more typical handling.

Best of luck on your project!

 

[Water logged]

Seems I recall that Mille Lacs gets really rough if any wind comes up. You should consider a lightly loaded tritoon. Back in the 60s my brother and I were going to take our 14' Larson runabout out on Mille Lacs, but it was windy and there were some mean looking waves and whitecaps on the lake. We chickened out.

Glenn

 

[Silver Eagle]

I think that you should look around for a pop up trailer, find out what one would weigh without the frame ,just the box .measure it If you could get it on your boat then build a box under it so when you open it it clears the rails ,also good for storage..I've seen this set up before.There's lots of things you can use a closed up pop for while cruising. Do it on paper first.