House Boat

[Mike Lucey]

Hi Guys,

I haven't posted anything for some time. Actually I haven't been
designing too much lately as its been more admin stuff.

Anyway, I am working on a project that I find interesting. It is
a small House Boat Marina on Lough Derg, Ireland.

I did a lot on Net searches for House Boats but was unable to find
exactly what I thought would be appropriate. I did find some, what
are called 'Cottage' House Boats but they looked a bit too domestic
(trailer-like) for me. I did however like the way loft space was
used in the pitched roof on the 'Cottage' HBs.

The attached is what I've cobbled together was far. I have sloped
part of the roof to accommodate a kids sleeping area with escape
windows onto the deck and I also propose a 'foldaway' bed in the
bedroom which allows the room to be used as a study / getaway room
etc.

Any thought / suggestion appreciated.

Mike

PS: If anyone wants to have better look I will attach some high res
PDFs

PPS: My design has been based on the http://catamarancruiser.com/index.html
designs. If you look be prepared for a slow download.

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[remus]

Good stuff mike, this looks like a really interesting project.

Keep us posted please

[Mike Lucey]

Here are the PDF views Remus

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Cata Cruiser - 2 Per Views.pdf

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Cata Cruiser Plan & Section.pdf

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Cata Cruiser [4 Elevations].pdf

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Cata Cruiser Cutaway.pdf

[marked001]

very interesting project, mike...dont get to do this too often..haha.

is this going to be totally from scratch...or is it a rehab of an exist'g boat?

[Mike Lucey]

It will be a from scratch project Jason.

[boofredlay]

What a fun project.

There is an article in this month's issue of Architectural Digest about a family who lives on a house boat in New York. I just skimmed it (will read it fully later) but I think the husband is an architect. It was a nice boat.

Nice work Mike!

Keep us afloat of any new developments or directions the current might take this project.
Also let us know if any of these units are up for sail.
(I think I made myself sick with that one)

[TaffGoch]

Mike,

I've always been interested in building a paddlewheeler - big enough to actually live on full-time, once retired. There's a river system in the southeast U.S., with locks and dams, which allows commercial traffic to move from the Gulf of Mexico, all the way up into Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, etc. Private vessels pay no lock fees. I could winter down south, and move up north in the summer, to avoid the hot weather and mosquitoes. (I can't get "She who must be obeyed" to go along with the idea, unfortunately.)

Your project makes me want to start looking for a used hull on eBay!

Taff

(commons.wikimedia.org)

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[Mike Lucey]

..... Yeah, getting 'She who must be obeyed' to go along can
be a big downer when it comes to a bit of adventure especially
if there are no Shoe Shops nearby

I will be getting back to this project next week and will
post the final design. Its good fun because of the confined
spaces.

This, The Nomad, would be what I would like for quick short
trips on the Shannon Lake / River Network. I think its a really
well thought out trailerable house boat.
http://www.nomadhouseboats.com/standard_features.html

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[Richard]

Yeah mike what a fun project!!!

I'd love to do something like that - the planning for such a small space, the ability to be playful with materials - great stuff!!!!

[marked001]

i was going to say, if you cant find many house boats for reference..how about motorhomes/rv's/travel trailers? i guess its not 'that' small....but they do alot of clever things with space...

[tomsdesk]

What fun...way to go Mike! I'm interested too in whether this will be a custom new build by the boat manuf or a sweat-equity on an existing hull?