Buying a houseboat to live in can be a huge decision. Not only are you searching for a decent house, but you’re also taking a look at a possible transport vehicle over the seas. If your budget is tight, the search can become even more difficult. However, the good news is, there are boats available out there, which are not very expensive and they offer all the amenities you might be looking for.
If you are also searching for the best boat within $50,000, you have come to the right place. Here we will not only look at the factors to consider when buying a boat to live on but also discuss the top 5 boats available on the market within this price mark.
So, without wasting any further time, let’s just get into it.
What Should You Consider Before Buying a Nice Houseboat?
When you’re thinking of buying a nice houseboat worth your money, there are several things you should consider. Let’s take a look at some of them so that you can choose the perfect boat for yourself.
Size Requirement – The first thing you need to think about is the size requirement of the houseboat. If you want room for just yourself, you’d need a smaller houseboat, but if you have more people with you, a larger houseboat with multiple rooms would be the right choice.
Motor Capability – Not all houseboats have the capability of moving. That’s why you need to consider whether you’d want to take your houseboat for a spin or not. There’s also the consideration of whether you’d keep the houseboat near the shore or moving around in the waters at all times. So, do consider the motor capability of your boat.
Pet-Friendly – Houseboats are supposed to be proper living spaces on water. If you have a pet known to be a little erratic around the sea, you should avoid getting a houseboat. You should also consider the possibility of getting pet-friendly houseboats that have an environment favoring pets.
Stories – It is also important for you to consider the option of getting a single-story houseboat or a double-story one. This entirely depends upon the amenities and capabilities you’ll be offered there. So, if you’re in the mood for excessive luxury in your houseboat, you should get a double-story one. Otherwise, a single-story houseboat has more than enough capabilities for budget buyers.
Price – It all finally boils down to the price. At this point in the market, you can find houseboats for millions of dollars. Still, if we take our current budget, which is $50,000, we can actually find some cool antique and modern houseboats that offer great features and come with pretty amazing benefits that you can enjoy.
Top 5 Best Houseboats to Live on for Under $50,000
$50,000 might seem like a huge amount, but it is actually just the average price for houseboats. That’s why I’ve made sure that this list of the top 5 best houseboats to live on has some of the best options in terms of facilities and features. So, let’s get into them.
1. Silver Queen 35
The Silver Queen from 1972 is one of the best houseboats of its time. But, unfortunately, in this day and age, you’re only going to find recently restored versions of this epic boat, and that’s exactly what we’re looking for.
The Silver Queen comes with a 35-foot measurement that can sleep 8 people and has a fiberglass hull material. It is quite an antique-looking houseboat which is also a great plus. Unfortunately, the price for this beauty will be anywhere from $30,000 to $40,000.
Pros
- Included Facilities – This boat comes with a few amenities, including a fridge, microwave, and a couple of stoves, which are actually pretty cool.
- Engine – The engine of the Silver Queen 35 is actually a 4-cylinder diesel Yanmar which makes this particular houseboat a powerful one that can ride the waves pretty well.
- Design – The design of the Silver Queen is actually very antique-looking which is because of its creation in the year 1972. That could very well be the reason you buy this beauty.
Cons
- Not very modern facilities – The restoration wouldn’t get them too far over the line if we talk about the bathroom or other facilities. So, if you’re a fan of modernity, perhaps this isn’t the right vehicle house for you.
- Hull – The hull is made of fiberglass, which isn’t the most durable material in the market.
2. Stardust Cruiser 53
The Stardust Cruiser from 1974 is a really long and super-cool-looking houseboat with a length of around 52.1 feet. It is a great boat and has a very homey feel and environment to it.
The material of the Stardust Cruiser is steel, and if well-maintained, it can be better than many modern yachts and houseboats that are much more expensive. The price of this boat is around $41,000.
Pros
- Cabins and Berths – There are 2 cabins and 4 berths in the Stardust Cruiser, and it can hold around 20 people on it, which is pretty great.
- Motor – The motor of this houseboat is a 2×9.9cv Yamaha with a power of 18cv capable of taking it from dock to dock.
Cons
- Not many included amenities – Unlike other boats in this list, the Stardust Cruiser doesn’t offer many included amenities and devices.
3. Harbor Master Sportsman 32
If you’re looking to down your budget even lower than $50,000 then, the Harbor Master Sportsman 32 is going to be the right choice for you at around only $25,000 to $28,000 in used but good condition.
The hull material of this particular houseboat is steel. The look and design are fairly modern, the build is from 1965, and there is enough room for 8 people due to the length of this boat, which is around 32 feet. So, you can get it if it fits your requirements.
Pros
- Amenities – The Harbor Master Sportsman 32 comes with cabinets, stove, microwave, shower, and berth included, which is quite nice actually.
- Low price – The houseboat price is fairly low because of how old it really is.
- Engine – The engine is a Johnson 115, a perfect motorboat engine that uses gasoline as fuel. The fuel requirement won’t be as much as other boats either.
Cons
- Wear and Tear – If it isn’t restored to perfection, you’re going to see signs of wear and tear because the manufacturing date of this beauty was around 1965.
4. Gibson 36
If we talk about more modern kinds of houseboats, then surely the epic Gibson 36 is going to come to mind. The interior of this houseboat is very rustic and has quite a hotel-like feel to it.
The Gibson 36 is actually around 36 feet, which is pretty cool, and it can handle about 10 people at a time. It was made in 1982 and had a very crisp and cool-looking exterior design and color scheme. You can get it for around $30,000.
Pros
- Inclusions – There is a lot of room space in this particular houseboat. The Gibson 36 has a cabin, berth, sitting space, stove and kitchen space, and much more to offer.
- Engine – The engine used in the Gibson 36 is the Volvo Penta, a potent motorboat engine.
- Interior – The woodwork in the interior and the rustic vibe really tie the whole boat together.
Cons
- Not many facilities – If we talk about inclusions like microwaves, fridges, and such, the Gibson doesn’t readily come with these things, so that’s a bummer.
5. Holiday Mansion 39 Barracuda
Without a doubt, the best houseboat on this list is the Holiday Mansion 39 Barracuda because it has the most features, the best look, the most modern design, and a build of 1996.
The length of this thing is 39 feet, which is pretty amazing, and its look is sleek. The retail price of this boat mansion is $49,000, which is right below our budget, so that’s great.
Pros
- Facilities – This amazing houseboat comes with a residential-sized fridge, stove, microwave, and two kitchen sinks which is epic.
- Engines – If you want to take it for a spin, there are two heavy-duty Volvo engines that use gasoline to support you on your watery adventures.
- Cabins and Berths – There are 3 cabins and 2 single berths available in this epic houseboat.
Cons
- A bit expensive – The only thing that you might disagree with is how close it comes to our budget restraints. It is the most expensive houseboat on this list.
Conclusion
Getting a houseboat can really make your living experience much better than usual since, in comparison to a house, a houseboat is better in almost all aspects, especially if you’re a sea lover. You can choose the boat that best suits your requirements and get it for yourself from the aforementioned options. I assure you that you’re going to have an epic time with your houseboat. So, enjoy and live life your own way!
