A houseboat in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

A houseboat is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a human dwelling. Some houseboats are not motorized, because they are usually moored, kept stationary at a fixed point. ImageMetadata File history File links AmsterdamHouseBoats_2004_SeanMcClean. ... ImageMetadata File history File links AmsterdamHouseBoats_2004_SeanMcClean. ... For other uses, see Amsterdam (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Boat (disambiguation). ... This article is about modern humans. ... A dwelling is a structure in which humans or other animals live. ...

Use of houseboats

Houseboats are common as permanent dwellings in Southeast Asia; in some other areas, they may serve more frequently as secondary or vacation homes or for tourism. Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ...

Australia

In Australia, especially on the Murray River and the sunny coastline of Queensland, there are many motorised, pontoon-based houseboats with two or more bedrooms; some of these houseboats have more than one level or multiple stories (floors). Some are privately owned as either a primary residence or a holiday shack. Many are also available for hire (rent) as self-driven holiday destinations with accommodation for four to perhaps a dozen persons. Many men enjoy gathering together to fish and drink alcohol in the safe passages of the Coomera River and The Great Sandy Straits near the world's largest sand island - Fraser Island. For other uses, see Murray River (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Queensland (disambiguation). ... A pontoon boat, like this small pleasure boat, typically floats and balances by means of two pontoons mounted lengthwise. ... A persons primary residence is the dwelling where they usually live, typically a house or an apartment. ... Shacks are most often used for storage or have been abandoned. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ...

Canada

In Canada, houseboats are gaining major popularity in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec as there is an abundance of perfectly suited rivers and lakes for houseboaters to enjoy. The Rideau Canal system is a historic waterway known for its picturesque setting and quaint villages. The town of Sicamous, on Shuswap Lake, British Columbia, is said to be the "Houseboat Capital of the World" Motto: Splendor sine occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Official languages English (de facto) Government Lieutenant-Governor Steven Point Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament House seats 36 Senate seats 6 Confederation July 20, 1871 (6th province) Area  Ranked 5th Total 944... This article is about the Canadian province. ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... Shuswap Lake is a lake located in British Columbia, Canada that drains into the North Thompson River, a branch of the Thompson River, a tributory of the Fraser River. ...

The Netherlands

Houseboat for Students in Zwolle, Netherlands

In Europe, some of the finest and costliest examples of houseboats can be seen along the canals of Amsterdam, which even has houseboat hotels. Houseboats are very expensive nowadays in Amsterdam because of the limited number of moorings; this expense has reduced the likelihood that the approximately 2,400 families that live on the inner waters of Amsterdam will find themselves confronted by new neighbour boats. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1136 × 852 pixel, file size: 486 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Own photo of a houseboat for students in Zwolle, Netherlands. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1136 × 852 pixel, file size: 486 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Own photo of a houseboat for students in Zwolle, Netherlands. ... For other places with the same name, see Zwolle (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Amsterdam (disambiguation). ...

India

A Kerala House boat shot in Kumarakom,India

In India, houseboats are common on the backwaters of Kerala, see below, and on the Dal Lake near Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 532 pixel Image in higher resolution (3008 × 2000 pixel, file size: 506 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Houseboat Metadata This... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 532 pixel Image in higher resolution (3008 × 2000 pixel, file size: 506 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Houseboat Metadata This... sab bakwas hai Categories: India geography stubs | Jammu and Kashmir | Kashmir ... For other uses, see Srinagar (disambiguation). ... This article is about the area administered by India. ...

Kerala houseboats

Main article: Kettuvalloms

The houseboats in Kerala, south India, are huge, slow-moving, exotic barges used for leisure trips. They are a reworked model of Kettuvallams (in the Malayalam language, Kettu means "tied with ropes", and vallam means "boat"), which, in earlier times, were used to carry rice and spices from Kuttanad to the Kochi port. Kerala houseboats were considered a convenient means of transportation. House Boat on Kerala water-ways Kettuvallam is a kind of house boat in Kerala, India. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... Kettuvallam is a kind of house boat in Kerala, India. ... Malayalam ( ) is the language spoken predominantly in the state of Kerala, in southern India. ... For other uses, see Rice (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Spice (disambiguation). ... Kuttanadu in Kerala, India is the lowest region of India, with 500 square kilometres of the region below sea level. ... Cochin redirects here. ... For other uses, see Port (disambiguation). ... For the movement of people or objects, see transport. ...

The popularity of Kettuvalloms has returned in the function as major tourist attractions.

Such a houseboat is about 60 to 70 feet (about 18 to 21 meters) long and about 15 feet (about 5 m) wide at the middle. The hull is made of wooden planks that are held together by ropes of coconut fiber; the usual wood is 'Anjili'. The roof is made of bamboo poles and palm leaves. The exterior of the boat is painted with protective coats of cashew nut oil. For other uses, see Foot (disambiguation). ... The metre, or meter (symbol: m) is the SI base unit of length. ... Coils of rope used for long-line fishing A rope (IPA: ) is a length of fibers, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. ... For other uses, see Coconut (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Bamboo (disambiguation). ... Genera Many; see list of Arecaceae genera Arecaceae (also known as Palmae or Palmaceae), the palm family, is a family of flowering plants, belonging to the monocot order Arecales. ... Binomial name Anacardium occidentale L. The Cashew Anacardium occidentale is a tree in the flowering plant family, Brazil, where it is called by its Portuguese name Cajú (the fruit) or Cajueiro (the tree). ...

Kashmir houseboats

House boats on Nageen Lake, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India.

Unlike their counterparts in Kerala, the houseboats in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir are usually stationary. They are usually moored at the edges of the Dal and Nageen lakes. Some of the houseboats there were built in the early 1900s, and are still being rented out to tourists. These houseboats are made of wood, and usually have intricately carved wood panelling. The houseboats are of different sizes, some having up to three bedrooms apart from a living room and kitchen. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2929x1947, 463 KB) Houseboats moored at the edge of Nageen Lake, Srinagar. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2929x1947, 463 KB) Houseboats moored at the edge of Nageen Lake, Srinagar. ... For other uses, see Srinagar (disambiguation). ... Jammu and Kashmir is a historic state in Asia which is currently disputed between India, Pakistan, and to a lesser extent, China. ... House Boat on Kerala water-ways Kettuvallam is a kind of house boat in Kerala, India. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... For other uses, see Srinagar (disambiguation). ... Jammu and Kashmir is a historic state in Asia which is currently disputed between India, Pakistan, and to a lesser extent, China. ... sab bakwas hai Categories: India geography stubs | Jammu and Kashmir | Kashmir ...

Many tourists are attracted to Srinagar by the charm of staying on a houseboat, which provides the unique experience of living on the water in a cedar-paneled elegant bedroom, with all the conveniences of a luxury hotel. Srinagar's thousand or so houseboats are moored along sections of the Dal and Nagin Lakes and river Jhelum, each decorated fancifully and named romantically and even whimsically. Like hotels, houseboats vary in degree of luxury and have been accordingly graded by the Department of Tourism. A luxury houseboat, like a luxury hotel has fine furniture, good carpets and modern bathroom fittings, while the ‘D category’ (the lowest category) of houseboats, like low-budget hotels, is spartanly furnished. Like hotels too, houseboats vary widely in their locations. Some overlook the main road, others look out onto lotus gardens and yet others face tiny local markets and villages, all right in the middle of the lake! All houseboats, regardless of category, have highly personalized service. Not only is there always a "houseboy" for every boat, but the owner and his family are never far away. The cost per day of hiring a houseboat includes all meals and free rides from the houseboat to the nearest jetty and back, as no houseboat on the lakes is directly accessible from the banks.

Every standard houseboat provides a balcony in the front, a lounge, dining room, pantry and 3 or more bedrooms with attached bathrooms. All houseboats not moored to the bank of the river or lakes provide a shikara as a free service from the houseboat to the nearest Ghat (jetty). Virtually every houseboat in Srinagar has been provided with a municipal water connection.

Narrowboats at Braunston on the Grand Union Canal,UK

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 526 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Canal narrowboats Bbraunston, UK File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 526 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Canal narrowboats Bbraunston, UK File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old... Braunston is the name of a few places: United Kingdom: Braunston, Northamptonshire, England Braunston-in-Rutland, England This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The canal at Braunston The Grand Union Canal is a canal in England and part of the British canal system. ...

New Zealand

In New Zealand houseboating is developing as a holiday activity. Whangaroa Harbour [1] on Northland's east coast is a land locked harbour that provides houseboating. The Northland Region (Māori: ), one of the 16 regions of New Zealand, is, as the name suggests, the northernmost of New Zealands administrative regions. ...

United Kingdom

Beached hull house boats at Hayling Island, UK

In the United Kingdom, canal narrowboats are used as homes and also as mobile, rented, holiday accommodation. Narrowboats were originally used for bulk transport of raw materials and fuel on canals constructed at the start of the Industrial revolution. Nowadays, the canal network is mainly used for recreation and is different to typical holiday locations, which are usually based in coastal or rural areas, because canals are inland and often pass through many former historical, industrial, urban areas. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 537 pixel Image in higher resolution (1101 × 739 pixel, file size: 86 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Houseboats Hayling Island England I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 537 pixel Image in higher resolution (1101 × 739 pixel, file size: 86 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Houseboats Hayling Island England I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... The coastline of Hayling Island. ... Moored narrowboats near Tardebigge, Worcestershire, England Horse drawing a narrowboat on the Kennet and Avon Canal. ... A Watt steam engine, the steam engine that propelled the Industrial Revolution in Britain and the world. ...

In coastal regions of the United Kingdom, the beached hulls of old boats and ships have been used as homes in the past, for example, Peggotty's houseboat of the 1840s in the novel David Copperfield. The few that remain today are more likely to be used as holiday accommodation than as homes. A hull is the body or frame of a ship or boat. ... For other uses, see David Copperfield. ...

United States

A houseboat on Lake Union in Seattle, Washington

In the United States, houseboats are gaining in popularity. Recreational houseboating in the United States started in the late 1940s when people were looking to stay on the water for longer periods of time. Lake Cumberland in Kentucky is considered the birthplace of houseboating in the USA. Today one can find motorized houseboats with over 2,000 sq ft (200 m²). of living space. Lake Union from atop the Space Needle Lake Union is a freshwater lake completely within the Seattle, Washington city limits. ... City nickname Emerald City City bird Great Blue Heron City flower Dahlia City mottos The City of Flowers The City of Goodwill City song Seattle, the Peerless City Mayor Greg Nickels County King County Area   - Total   - Land   - Water   - % water 369. ... For the capital city of the United States, see Washington, D.C.. For other uses, see Washington (disambiguation). ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... Lake Cumberland is an artificial lake in Clinton, Laurel, Pulaski, Russell, and Wayne counties in Kentucky. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area  Ranked 37th  - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ...

Seattle, Washington is home to a relatively large collection of floating houseboat neighborhoods, particularly in Lake Union and Portage Bay. The earliest houseboats in Seattle were recorded in 1905, and peaked with over 2000 houseboats in the 1930s. There are currently approximately 500 houseboats in Seattle. Most houseboats are designed and built for inland lakes and waterways only. Renting houseboats has also become popular. In addition, houseboats have been used for commerce; on the Northern Neck of Virginia, Chesapeake National Bank had a floating bank branch called the Boat 'n Bank that provided bank services to watermen. City nickname Emerald City City bird Great Blue Heron City flower Dahlia City mottos The City of Flowers The City of Goodwill City song Seattle, the Peerless City Mayor Greg Nickels County King County Area   - Total   - Land   - Water   - % water 369. ... This article deals with the U.S. state. ... Lake Union from atop the Space Needle Lake Union is a freshwater lake completely within the Seattle, Washington city limits. ... Portage Bay is an arm of Seattle, Washingtons Lake Union and is part of the Lake Washington Ship Canal. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Northern Neck is the northernmost of three peninsulas on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, USA. This peninsula is bounded by the Potomac River on the north and the Rappahannock River on the south. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Bank of America branch in Porter Ranch, Los Angeles, California A branch, banking centre or financial centre is a retail location where a bank or financial institution offers a wide array of face to face service to its customers. ... The Boat N Bank of Kilmarnock, Virginia-based Chesapeake National Bank was the nations first floating bank branch. ... Watermen are river workers who transfer passengers across and along city centre rivers and estuaries in Britain and its colonies. ...

A houseboat in Silver Glen Springs, just off Lake In the George

Literally a houseboat in Lake Bigeaux, near Henderson, LA

Sausalito, California also has one of the most noted collections of float homes that were owned at various times by the likes of famous musicians, film stars, authors, and other notables, from the hippie era until even today. Like many areas where float homes have taken hold, battles have brewed between float home owners, local and state government, and the local establishment (which includes land-based home owners). Float home owners had fought established land-based tax schemes whereby float home owners sought relief from real estate taxes. The state won the battle with the shadow tax allowing the state to make the case that property beneath the float home was improved by the shadow the float home cast upon the bottom. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... For other bodies of water with the same name, see Lake George. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 1. ... Henderson is a town located in St. ... Sausalito is a city in the San Francisco Bay Area situated in Marin County, California, United States. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ...

For recreation

Houseboating is a very popular recreational activity for groups of people of all ages aboard houseboats of all varieties ranging from more modest 30-40 foot boats to 70-foot (21 m)-plus luxury houseboat models. Houseboating is appealing due to scenery, proximity to other outdoor activities (hiking, boating, beaches, etc.), and potential to move the house for a change of view or neighbors.

Houseboating lakes

Lake Powell is a massive primordial red-rock canyon filled with bright blue water and endless sandstone scenery. Houseboating on Lake Powell is an extremely popular vacation option for good reason: the imposing Glen Canyon Dam impounds water from the Colorado River to form almost 2,000 miles (3,200 km) of shoreline which is more than the entire West Coast of the United States. Lake Powell also has some of the United States' finest fishing for bass, bluegill, green sunfish, walleye, black crappie, northern pike, and catfish. Image File history File links Unbalanced_scales. ... Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir on the Colorado River, straddling the border between Utah and Arizona. ... Glen Canyon Dam on 19 June 2005. ... The Colorado River from the bottom of Marble Canyon, in the Upper Grand Canyon Colorado River in the Grand Canyon from Desert View The Colorado River from Laughlin Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River located near the town of Page, Arizona The Colorado River is... Regional definitions vary from source to source. ...

Lake Mead is the largest man-made lake in North America. Its sandy shores and welcoming blue hues are perfectly suited to houseboaters, swimmers, sunbathers, and fishermen while its desert rewards hikers, wildlife photographers, and roadside sightseers. Located 30 minutes from Las Vegas, Lake Mead is convenient and accessible by air. Lake Mead is the largest man-made lake and reservoir in the United States. ... For further information, see Las Vegas metropolitan area and Las Vegas Strip. ...

Lake Shasta is located in the mountains just outside of Redding, California. Lake Shasta presents a scene of clear water surrounded by mountain slopes filled with lush California foliage. This serpentine lake has hundreds of coves and byways to explore. Shasta Lake or Lake Shasta is a large man-made reservoir created by the Shasta Dam in California, USA. Ten miles north of Redding, it is a popular area for boating, water-skiing and camping. ... Redding from space, April 1994 Redding (pop. ...

Lake Cumberland is the vacation destination for millions of visitors every year. Because of the warm weather and relatively long season, visitors have numerous activities to choose from including houseboating, camping, fishing, canoeing, hiking, and others. Lake Cumberland is an artificial lake in Clinton, Laurel, Pulaski, Russell, and Wayne counties in Kentucky. ...

Lake Amistad sits on the United States-Mexico border and with over 800 miles of cliffs and sandy beaches to explore. Lake Amistad is an oasis of color in the south Texas desert. Amistad National Recreation Area includes the area around the Amistad Reservoir at the confluence of the Rio Grande River, the Devils River, and the Pecos River. ... For other uses, see Texas (disambiguation). ...

Trinity Lake is 20 miles (32 km) west of Lake Shasta. This lesser known yet equally striking lake has secluded coves and beaches which make great bases for exploration and fishing opportunities abound. Trinity Lake is a lake on the Trinity River formed by the Trinity Dam. ...

Lake Mohave's expansive location caters to boaters, swimmers, sunbathers, and fishermen. Three of America's four desert ecosystems—the Mohave, the Great Basin, and the Sonoran Deserts—meet in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. As a result, this seemingly barren area contains a surprising variety of plants and animals, some of which may be found nowhere else in the world. Lake Mohave Lake Mohave is a lake formed by Davis Dam on the Colorado River, which defines the border between Nevada and Arizona in the United States. ... For the indigenous American tribe, see Mohave. ... Drainage map showing the Great Basin in orange Various Definitions of the Great Basin (NPS) Wheeler Peak in Great Basin National Park, Nevada. ... Map of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. ... Lake Mead National Recreation Area is located in southern Nevada and northern Arizona. ...

In New York, houseboats have also become a major part of the great South Bay on Long Island. Many people have lived on them for a while. This article is about the state. ... This article is about the island in New York State. ...

Unofficial houseboats

Many owners of yachts don't sail them often; and some use them exclusively for shoreside entertaining, as in the film Striptease. A few yacht owners who can afford the cost of a comfortable yacht but temporarily lack a long-term onshore home, may choose to live on a yacht. In many jurisdictions, this is illegal, but some such people have escaped notice by living quietly.^{[citation needed]} This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... For other uses, see Striptease (disambiguation). ...

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Houseboats

Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, specifically on Lake Kariba houseboats have been in use since the creation of the lake in the late 1950s/early 1960s. This is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious ways to experience the Zambezi basin and all the associated wildlife, as it is possible to view a lot of game as they come down to the water for drinking, and to cool themselves down. The Kariba Dam is a hydroelectric dam in the Kariba Gorge of the Zambezi River basin in Southern Africa (28. ...

See also

• Cabin cruiser
• Hulk (ship)
• Live aboard
• Boathouse, a house to store a boat.

An example of a cabin cruiser A cabin cruiser is a type of boat that allows extra storage or camping space. ... A hulk is a ship that is afloat, but incapable of going to sea. ... Live aboard (noun or verb) refers to living aboard a boat for some period of time, either as a residence or as part of a multi-day diving trip. ... Boathouse Row on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, USA. Rowing boats stored inside a boathouse in Israel. ...

External links

This article or section includes a list of references or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. You can improve this article by introducing more precise citations.

• [http://www.gwynsholidays.com/ Houseboat operator Alleppey, Kerala
• Living Afloat, the reference website on houseboats and how to convert them
• The tourism website of Houseboats in Kerala, India
• Houseboats in Kerala, India
• Houseboats in Kerala
• Houseboating Adventures Magazine
• Houseboats In Dalake - Kashmir
• Houseboat Museum Amsterdam
• About Backwater Houseboats in Kerala in India
• About Houseboats in Kerala
• Houseboat Trivia (English version)
• NPS.gov - US National Park Service website
• Recreation.gov - Recreation information for US public lands
• All About Houseboats
• Houseboats in Kerala
• Houseboats in Kumarakom