Buying a houseboat: what to check first

A houseboat is a holiday home, a flat and a boat in one – which is exactly why a few questions are worth answering before you buy. These eight points will help you find the right boat.

1. Where will the boat be moored?

Sort out the mooring before you buy. Whether a houseboat may stay permanently or be lived on is regulated very differently by municipalities, harbours and water authorities. A confirmed berth with power and water saves a lot of trouble.

2. Which CE category do you need?

The CE design category shows the conditions a boat is built for: category D for sheltered waters such as small lakes, rivers and canals (up to Beaufort 4, waves up to 0.3 m), category C for large lakes, estuaries and inshore waters (up to Beaufort 6, waves up to 2 m). Choose the category for the waters you will actually use.

3. Cruising or staying put?

If you want to cruise, you need an engine and, depending on the country and the engine power, a boating licence. If you will mostly live at the jetty, a smaller engine – or none at all – may be enough.

4. All year or summer only?

For autumn and winter use, what matters is good insulation in the floor, walls and roof, reliable heating and frost-protected water pipes. Ask about insulation thicknesses and how the boat is run in winter.

5. Platform and materials

The platform carries the whole house. Marine-grade aluminium and HDPE floats are light, corrosion-resistant and low-maintenance. Also check for lifting points for craning and transport.

6. How self-sufficient should it be?

Fresh-water and waste-water tank sizes, battery capacity and solar power determine how many days you can stay without a shore connection. Ask what the system is designed for.

7. What will the boat really cost?

Don't just compare base prices. The engine, a sauna, a roof terrace, off-grid packages, transport and VAT change the final price considerably. On top of that, there are running costs for mooring, insurance and maintenance.

8. Try it first

The best way to find out whether a houseboat suits you is to spend a week on one. You can view our boats in Svencelė, Lithuania, and rent one for a holiday from Houseboat Finland in Heinola.

Houseboats from Nordic Season

Nordic Season builds houseboats in Finnish design on aluminium platforms with HDPE floats – from the Nordic 32 Eco 18 at €70,690 to the Nordic 47 Sea Line at €245,000 (excl. VAT). For an overview of all models, prices and what the base price includes, see our post "How much does a houseboat cost?".

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