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Houseboats are floating residences with household amenities, often moored or lacking motors. They vary in design and stability, and are often used as vacation homes or for recreation. They are not considered luxury yachts.
A houseboat is a floating structure designed to be used as a residence, often including typical household amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms, and ample floor space. These structures differ from boats designed for transport or sport in that they are often modified in ways that limit their ability to navigate in the water and are usually moored. Some houseboats even lack motors and are designed only to float, not move. It is possible to live on a houseboat on the ocean, but the tide causes these houseboats to move constantly, so calm waters or gentle rivers are generally preferred docking sites.
Building a houseboat largely depends on where you are. In many countries, houseboats that resemble houses with windows, doors, and roofs are the most popular. Some places have traditional houseboats with their own designs, which may not have a direct connection to the housing styles in the area. Almost all houseboats are built with stability in mind, often including wide bases to minimize movement. It is important for a houseboat to be stable because as a primary residence it will often house breakable furniture and items that should not roll or move.
In many places, a houseboat is moored directly to a dock, allowing easy access to land. Some houseboats are anchored in the middle of lakes or simply too far off land to jump, and these must include a way to get to and from shore. A smaller boat is usually attached to the house for transportation. This smaller boat must have a place where it can be kept on shore when the houseboat’s inhabitants are not home.
There are also boats that function as residences that are not considered houseboats. For example, it is possible to live on a luxury yacht, but this is considered a different type of boat. Identifying characteristics of houseboats usually include limited mobility, though this is really a matter of use, not potential. In essence, a houseboat is a structure that is used as a house instead of a boat, not a boat that is also a house.
While these vessels are considered acceptable primary residences in many areas, they are often used as seasonal or vacation homes as well. Renting a houseboat can be a vacation in itself, or it can be used to travel on a river or lake. One of the most attractive features of houseboats is the possibility of escaping from the problems of the land, such as work. Living on such a ship and bringing those problems home can defeat this purpose. For this reason, many people who use houseboats continue to keep a piece of land at home and use the boat primarily for recreation.
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