Fiberglass Houseboat Maintenance?

[Marctreb]

My husband and I are thinking about buying an older fiberglass houseboat, 1970's. We're newbies and have lots of questions. We're looking at a 1973 model, 225 hp chrysler engine that was rebuilt in 1999 -- 100 hours on rebuild. The boat looks to be in great condition, one owner. The son his helping his mom sell the boat -- the dad is deceased. The son doesn't know a whole lot about houseboats but says his dad kept good maintenance records. But he says he doesn't know when the boat was last removed from the water for maintenance. Says the only thing wrong is it needs a new fuel pump and possibly a carburetor. Can anyone tell me how often a fiberglass houseboat needs to actually be removed from the water for maintenance to the hull? Also, any idea on what it would cost to replace a fuel pump, and separately what it would cost to replace a carburetor?

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Fiberglass Houseboat Maintenance?

Need a little more information. Generally speaking, if kept in saltwater it will take more maint. for the bottom. Is the boat slipped in a marina, or private dock? A complete survey, structural and mechanical would be a priority for a boat that age. How close is the nearest facility that can haul the boat out for you?

 

[southkogs]

Re: Fiberglass Houseboat Maintenance?

Welcome aboard Mactreb:

What part of the world are you in? There are bunches of houseboats here in TN. I've never owned one, but have looked at several. They seem to box up all hassles of homeownership and boat ownership all in one nice convenient package

Depending on how much y'all are looking at spending on this one, I think I'd suggest a survey done. I've heard they're in the $500 dollar range, but I would think worth it in a houseboat case.

 

[Marctreb]

Re: Fiberglass Houseboat Maintenance?

Need a little more information. Generally speaking, if kept in saltwater it will take more maint. for the bottom. Is the boat slipped in a marina, or private dock? A complete survey, structural and mechanical would be a priority for a boat that age. How close is the nearest facility that can haul the boat out for you?

The boat has been stored at a slip at Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma. I know there are repair shops nearby. We also have access to a trailer. Some people we know have a houseboat about the same size and they have a trailer they said we could use, but not sure if just any trailer will fit? My son has a truck large enough to pull it. As I said, we have lots to learn. we definitely plan to have someone survey it for us before we buy. Just trying to decide if we should take that next step, and also trying to get an idea of what regular maintenance will entail for us in the future if we buy. Thanks!

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Fiberglass Houseboat Maintenance?

ask the people you know that already own one what they think. Its a floating house so theres all sorts that can go wrong especially with the freshwater/septic/electrical system etc on top of the fact its a boat. Low hours on a motor is not always a good thing because that may mean that the motor has not been used for a long while so you can not judge the motor by the hours. A survey would be a good investment and maintence depends on the design of the float system.

 

[sasto]

Re: Fiberglass Houseboat Maintenance?

If you have a lot of money to spend on her over her life.....go for it. If she is something you really want and don't mind the headaches that go along with keeping her healthy......go for it. Otherwise, pass and rent. Good luck in whatever you decide!

 

[Marctreb]

Re: Fiberglass Houseboat Maintenance?

If you have a lot of money to spend on her over her life.....go for it. If she is something you really want and don't mind the headaches that go along with keeping her healthy......go for it. Otherwise, pass and rent. Good luck in whatever you decide!

I appreciate everyone's responses. Getting major cold feet here. No, we don't have "a lot" of money to spend on maintaining a boat. Of course depending on what "a lot" of money is. I realize there will be some regular maintenance involved, but I'm just trying to get an idea of what that would be and it sounds like it's astronomical. Don't need that kind of stress or headache. Sounds like we need to re-think our plan. Again, thanks for your help.

 

[sasto]

Re: Fiberglass Houseboat Maintenance?

I appreciate everyone's responses. Getting major cold feet here. No, we don't have "a lot" of money to spend on maintaining a boat. Of course depending on what "a lot" of money is. I realize there will be some regular maintenance involved, but I'm just trying to get an idea of what that would be and it sounds like it's astronomical. Don't need that kind of stress or headache. Sounds like we need to re-think our plan. Again, thanks for your help.

Your day will come! Keep doing more research. Many of us here can only afford what we have because we do repairs and maintenance ourselves. Enjoy!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Fiberglass Houseboat Maintenance?

I appreciate everyone's responses. Getting major cold feet here. No, we don't have "a lot" of money to spend on maintaining a boat. Of course depending on what "a lot" of money is. I realize there will be some regular maintenance involved, but I'm just trying to get an idea of what that would be and it sounds like it's astronomical. Don't need that kind of stress or headache. Sounds like we need to re-think our plan. Again, thanks for your help.

If you have a link to an ad or some pictures, some of us may be able to chime in a little more. It'll be tough to tell really what kinda' work needs done, but we'd take a stab at it. Houseboats are interesting critters. I like the idea of rentin' 'em, but not sure on owning one yet myself.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Fiberglass Houseboat Maintenance?

If you have a lot of money to spend on her over her life.....go for it. If she is something you really want and don't mind the headaches that go along with keeping her healthy......go for it. Otherwise, pass and rent. Good luck in whatever you decide!

I appreciate everyone's responses. Getting major cold feet here. No, we don't have "a lot" of money to spend on maintaining a boat. Of course depending on what "a lot" of money is. I realize there will be some regular maintenance involved, but I'm just trying to get an idea of what that would be and it sounds like it's astronomical. Don't need that kind of stress or headache. Sounds like we need to re-think our plan. Again, thanks for your help.

With everything, there's upkeep. And owning a houseboat isn't an automatic financial nightmare. Our houseboat is proof enough. We bought it almost exactly 7 years ago to the day, 2006. In that time I've spent about $800 repainting the bottom, I spent $220 on 5 gallons of Sherwyn-Williams industrial enamel to paint the upper hull and topside (still need to do the flybridge, but still have the paint), $120 on a starter motor for the starboard engine, probably $200 on pink antifreeze for winterization over the years, $200 for upper deck carpet (got a screamin' deal, but all ya gotta do is look), $60 or so for a pair of water pump impellers, $250 for a new pair of props, $50 just this weekend for a new (generic) electric fuel pump for the generator, plus whatever I've spent on oil and oil filters, $300 or so? This summer the boat's coming out early (that's the plan anyway) for a complete hull sandblast, repairs if needed (not expecting any) and a fresh coat of black tar epoxy. Estimated cost about $4000 total. Oh yeah, and I have to replace a hydraulic ram hose on the starboard outdrive, about $35... Note that I do all work myself, but I will be paying a friend to do my sandblasting.

Our steel-hearted girl has treated us exceptionally well...

My arithmetic says I've spent $2200 the past 7 years for ALL upkeep and maintenance, a whopping $315 a year. Adding my estimated $4000 and another year, $6300 over 8 years comes to $787 a year. I know some slips that cost more than that per MONTH.

That's MY experience, you experience may vary! -- but I'm proof that a good boat doesn't have to cost a fortune AFTER you buy it...

FWIW, My wife picked out this boat. Everything she's ever picked out has been reliable as anyone could ask for. (knock on my head!) -- I don't buy anything until she approves it! (she approved our Chaparral 260 SSI too!)