Houseboat Description:
I based this design on the idea that "Dear John" needs housing fast, along
with the other requirements. This is not a time for elegant hull forms or
careful fiberglass work. And his Ex is never going to be jealous of him
living in a shipping container on a barge, or in something too cramped to
stand in, so this design is more house than boat, with lots of storage.
Also, in the north, long term comfort means being easily heated for the
winter. I chose a bow-top cottage as architecturally interesting, but
simple to build.
Eighteen plastic barrels, half submerged, provide about 5400 pounds of
modular flotation. Careful calculation of weight and balance isn't needed,
because they can be partly flooded as necessary to level things out. If
one fails it can be pumped or replaced without everything aboard getting
wet. Hydrodynamic barrel-end fairings (Hemispheric trash barrel tops?)
should be removed for normal slip mooring to save space.
A 30' x 10' platform is framed with pressure treated lumber (whichever
stuff is currently approved for use over water -- the borate type?). The
barrels are strapped underneath, 40" on center, and the platform is decked
it with more treated 1" boards. Deck beams are 2x6s, 20" on center
(starting 10" in from the end), coped 2" to match the curve of the
barrels. Ripped 2x4 stringers along the sides of the barrels further
stabilize them. More stringers under the beams stiffen the platform.
For a house, build a 16' long, 6' tall enclosure with 2x3 lumber, 2' o.c.
A layer of plastic over the deck, under the building, keeps things dry.
The roof is framed of boat shelter gothic arches, made from bent 1x3
strapping and scrap 2x4 blocking –essentially homemade, curved, wooden
I-beams. These have about a 130" radius. Stock will need to be spliced to
nearly 10' long, but that can be simply done with reinforced butt joints.
The trusses are easily assembled on a large jig. The arches are two feet
on center, with a 1x6 ridge and a diagonal 1x3 brace on each end. Collar
ties (2x4s), 7' 4" off the deck, stiffen the roof and frame the ceiling.
Hurricane clips would help in the framing.
Walls are sheathed with 3/8" plywood, covered with asphalt felt, then
canvas, and painted. Trim pieces are added, caulked and it's painted
again. The house is insulated with fiberglass batts. A layer of plastic
covers that on the inside, then strapping and paneling finish the walls
and ceiling. Half-inch foam insulation, then loose sheets of painted
plywood cover the plastic on the deck without puncturing it.
A small attic offers storage for light, bulky items. It can be accessed
via outside doors or panels in the ceiling. The whole roof is covered with
the heavy heat-shrink plastic that's normally used to cover boats for
transport and storage, and to cover gothic arch style winter
boat-shelters. It could have corrugated metal on it as a longer-term roof,
but translucent plastic makes a well-lit attic. The attic gets a small
vent on each end.
On the aft end is a covered, railed porch, made of more canvas-covered
plywood. Storm windows may be fitted in winter, and bug screens in summer.
Privacy curtains could make this space useful for setting up a cot if
necessary. It may also work as a line locker.
There are six used window sashes, hinged at the top, with a good drip edge
over each one. They'd want curtains and possibly screens, and storm
windows in winter. Both 32" doors are six feet tall, and should also have
windows and curtains in them. Interior doors are just curtains.
Electricity comes from ashore. A few lighting fixtures and outlets for
small appliances are the limit of the electrical system. Underway,
batteries and propane lighting should suffice.
Under the galley counter is a small propane hot water heater, which feeds
the kitchen sink and a shower in the back room. Plumbing depends on being
hooked to water pressure ashore or using a small pump out of the lake. The
(simple, low flow) shower is a kitchen sink sprayer. Greywater can be
dumped in the lake, or temporarily held in one of the flotation drums.
The rest of the galley is a two-burner cooker, and an ice chest under the
cooker is kept full from the marina ice machine. Under the sink , next to
the water heater, is an RV furnace for space heating. Across the room is a
small table with two chairs that can be shoved in the corner for more room
or pulled out for company. Just aft of that is a cupboard with a counter
top and a fold-down extension. With the extension up and a pad put on top,
the counter could be used as another bunk. Aft of the galley, starboard
side, is a futon couch, which can be folded up to make the place look
presentable, or fold down to give room enough for more intimate guests.
Ringing the main and back rooms above six feet are shelves and cabinets,
12" deep.
The back room provides storage for clothes and a more private changing
room. There's a chemical toilet behind a curtain next to the shower.
On the foredeck is a locker for the propane cylinder, plus a few more
secure deck boxes for keeping tools and other boat gear. Not shown in
drawings but possibly useful: mooring cleats, anchor, a pipe frame for a
canvas deck awning, a propane barbecue, deck chairs and a folding table,
built in automotive type stereo, 12 volt batteries and recharging system,
boarding ladder, gas powered pump and small water cannon.....
Statistics:
Length 30 '
Beam (water line) 10 '
Beam (maximum) 10 ' 6"
Height above waterline 14 ' 8"
Draft 1'
Max. Gross Weight 5400#
Max average loading 18#/sq ft.
Interior Area 160 sq. ft. + 40 sq. ft. covered porch.
Max Overnight Occupancy 4
Drawings: (click to enlarge)
Bio:
I grew up in New England. I have one bachelor's degree in Shop
(Agricultural Engineering Technology, Cornell, '89), and another in
Environmental Science (University of Washington, Tacoma, '02). I've been a
picture framer, naval officer, ditch digger, carpenter, community garden
assistant, linoleum installer, forestry lab worker, and now, farmer. I've
been an Oregon Master Gardner Volunteer. I've built five boats in the last
15 years, mostly plywood of my own design, but the last was canvas skin on
frame. My fourth was shown in Duckworks. I'm 36. I'm married, no kids, and
live in coastal Maine.
Submitted by
Dan Huisjen
huisjen@u.washington.edu
304 Varnumville Rd
Brooksville, ME 04617 |
