Pros and Cons of a Tiny House Boat

The evolution of the tiny house just keeps getting better and better. Tiny houses evolved into tiny cabins, both were then available to be put on wheels — the evolution now culminating in the development of the tiny house boat. It is exactly what it sounds like: a tiny house that floats on water. It is as if having a tiny house on a trailer that you can relocate at a moment’s notice has grown sea legs. No longer are you tethered to a plot of land that you have to purchase or rent. However, just like any living situation, it can have its pros and cons.

The Pros:

Portability

One of the biggest perks of having a tiny house boat is that you could dock at a different port every night of the week, if you so choose. Different ports have different amenities and things to offer. Depending on whether you are looking for a quiet place to lay low for awhile or are wanting to be within walking distance of a lively city may determine where you set your course to. One of the attractions for tiny house living is the reduction in the cost of living that it provides. The fees to dock your boat are not consistent from marina to marina, so make sure to check for pricing ahead of time so that you can keep to your budget that you have set for your cost of living.

Water Sports

Just outside the door of your floating tiny home you have access to any number of water sports that you want to engage in. Perfect your fishing skills and you can be having fresh fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner if you so choose. If you feel like going water skiing in the evening hours before turning into bed for the night, that is available to you from the deck of your own home. If there is a new sport you do on the water that you have always wanted to pick up, now you don’t have any excuses. Your space will be limited, just like any other tiny house, so make sure that you save room in your tiny house for a wetsuit to keep you warm all year long.

Dive for Salvage:

One of those new sports that you pick up could be diving for salvage. Many things are lost to the sea or ocean due to unforeseen circumstances, never to be recovered — until now. Spending your days diving from your boat could prove to be an interesting, and lucrative, way to spend your time. You could explore old shipwrecks, look for buried treasure or find odds and ends that others have carelessly dropped overboard. Some of your found treasures could turn into decorations inside of your tiny house boat.

The Cons:

Combat the Claustrophobia

One of the struggles that is common among many tiny home owners is the lack of available storage areas. If the house is designed without designated areas for storage, it can lead to feeling cluttered and claustrophobic. Having a small space that is floating on water is further compounded by needing to store (and easily access) water safety gear and other boat equipment. Arrange your living space while practicing feng shui so that the energy doesn’t feel stifled in your limited amount of space. Everything should have a place to help you and your skipper stay organized.

Motion of the Ocean

It may be wise to test out if your body tolerates the constant motion of living on the water before purchasing a tiny house boat. Your stomach may be able to withstand a few hours on a lake, but living on the water is a whole other ball game. The home would be in a constant sway that at times may make simple tasks like showering or cooking a difficult task. Investigate if you can rent a house boat for a week or so and experiment to see if you are prone to seasickness or if you are comfortable with living in a constant state of motion. This might also give you the chance to rent out a higher-end tiny house boat than you would have bought for yourself.

Weathering Nature

Having a home that resides on the water is putting you at the mercy of the natural elements. Living near the water exposes you to higher number of water-loving insects (like mosquitoes) that may find their way into your home. In the event of a heavy storm, the likelihood of damage to your home increases. If damage happens to the underside of your boat, it may make it unliveable and could be costly to repair. However, just like on land, there are only so many precautions that you can take towards avoiding natural disasters. They are going to happen no matter how prepared you are.

Weighing the pros and cons of any large purchase is a wise practice. Make a list of your own pros and cons that you can think of before diving in head first into the life of a tiny house boat owner. It’s not just a home; it’s a lifestyle.