100% Complete Newbie Question about Houseboats

[va3kpj]

Hi everyone. I am a 100% completely wet-behind-the-ears newbie when it comes to all things nautical. However, my family and I are very seriously contemplating moving from Canada (west of Toronto) to Panama. During our research, someone in the family asked the question "why don't we just get a houseboat and take that down there?"

Once that happened, my mind started to race. This was a good idea - nay - a GREAT idea! Almost unlimited mobility, family adventure, etc... However, going back to the opening credits of this post, I'm a newbie, and I don't want to do anything to wreck my family's finances or, more importantly, get us all killed.

I've been looking at 70-80' houseboats on Boat Trader, most with 16'-20' beams and 4-5.5' drafts. These look AWESOME on the inside, but I don't know if these would be able to make the trip from Toronto to Panama (I assume my route would be from Lake Ontario, to the St. Lawrence, out over Nova Scotia, then hugging the east coast southbound, making the jaunt south from the tip of Florida to Cuban waters, then go west hugging Cuba's coast until making a run across open water to the Mexican coast, and then following the Central American coast south to the Canal).

Would these work? If so, what should I look out for? If not, what should I be shopping for? Also, what courses/education should I look into to prepare for such an adventure? I've got basic mechanics down, and I'm a Radio Amateur with 28 years experience (so comms are my thing), but I've never piloted a ship before.

I would appreciate any advice you experts could provide. Please be gentle. Thanks and 73!

 

[airshot]

Way to much for a newbie.....why not buy the houseboat down there, gonna cost a bunch to get down there !!! Better off hiring a captain to drive you down if you want the adventure.

 

[racerone]

Are you aware of how much it would cost in fuel ??

 

[Scott Danforth]

Hi everyone. I am a 100% completely wet-behind-the-ears newbie when it comes to all things nautical. However, my family and I are very seriously contemplating moving from Canada (west of Toronto) to Panama. During our research, someone in the family asked the question "why don't we just get a houseboat and take that down there?"

Once that happened, my mind started to race. This was a good idea - nay - a GREAT idea! Almost unlimited mobility, family adventure, etc... However, going back to the opening credits of this post, I'm a newbie, and I don't want to do anything to wreck my family's finances or, more importantly, get us all killed.

I've been looking at 70-80' houseboats on Boat Trader, most with 16'-20' beams and 4-5.5' drafts. These look AWESOME on the inside, but I don't know if these would be able to make the trip from Toronto to Panama (I assume my route would be from Lake Ontario, to the St. Lawrence, out over Nova Scotia, then hugging the east coast southbound, making the jaunt south from the tip of Florida to Cuban waters, then go west hugging Cuba's coast until making a run across open water to the Mexican coast, and then following the Central American coast south to the Canal).

Would these work? If so, what should I look out for? If not, what should I be shopping for? Also, what courses/education should I look into to prepare for such an adventure? I've got basic mechanics down, and I'm a Radio Amateur with 28 years experience (so comms are my thing), but I've never piloted a ship before.

I would appreciate any advice you experts could provide. Please be gentle. Thanks and 73!

Hope you have the money for the 4000-6000 gallons of fuel and a month to make the trip, and hope you don't hit a storm or high winds

Houseboats are pure displacement hulls that move about 5-6 knots and burn a fair amount of fuel. If the wind is blowing you could be going backwards.

Buy airline tickets, and buy what you want in panama

 

[alldodge]

A houseboat will not handle the ocean, will probably break in half. Need a large yacht like a Blue water or Jefferson