It is amazing the detail these craftsmen put into each and every Houseboat. Skills passed down from generation to generation.
There are many different designs to choose from. You can get Pontoons, Catamarans, Full Hull or Planning Hull, Trailerable or Barge. Obviously, there are many different colors and features to choose from.
There are basically four types of materials used in the construction of Houseboats today. Let's take some time and examine each one of these building options. The most common building material today is….Aluminum.
Aluminum is the most popular because it is lightweight, strong and durable. This material requires little maintenance and shows very little corrosion or rust. Aluminum is also very easy to repair. You do have to perform a yearly anode system check, but overall the beauty of this material is that you get to spend more time enjoying the boat and less time working on it.
Fiberglass is also a very common material used in houseboat building. It is also lightweight and strong. In addition, this material is easy to repair and takes some light maintenance. Like Aluminum, there is little to worry about with corrosion or rusting. The only maintenance to do is some simple waxing and cleaning. Age and water can have an effect on the durability of fiberglass. Fiberglass is a solid material to use, but it does take proper maintenance to maintain and sustain its beauty.
Another material used in houseboat building is steel. Steel was utilized a lot more in the older boats. Now the steel industry is but a shell of what it used to be. You can find steel houseboats, just not as often. The advantages of steel are that the material is strong and very hard to damage. A very durable product, that is easy to repair and inexpensive.
The last material used for houseboat design is Wood. Wood, of course is the granddaddy of all boating materials. It has been used since the first boat was ever assembled. Most believe that wooden hulls are still the most beautiful and well crafted. The drawback is that wooden boats take more time to build and are therefore very expensive. Wood also requires a lot of maintenance to maintain its luster.
When it comes to houseboat building, you know that you are going to get a quality product. There are many to choose from to fit your individual needs. |
