house boats in the bay (Marina, Sausalito: houseboats, utilities, maintenance)

[high density]

why don't more people live in houseboats if the property is so expensive?

[Ruth4Truth]

There's only a finite number of houseboats allowed in most places. Some people prefer to have stable ground underneath them. Houseboats can require more maintenance, it depends. And there's limited space on a houseboat. More room for expansion on most city lots. Some municipalities don't allow houseboats.

Lots of reasons.

[Tulemutt]

I live on a real boat in the Bay and Delta.

Most people don't know the distinctions between houseboats and floating homes. A houseboat is a boat that actually is capable of navigating waterways under its own power. Floating homes are houses built on flotation and do not ever leave their dock. Places where floating homes are allowed are few and fully occupied. No new floating homes are likely to ever gain approval.

Actual houseboats are not very seaworthy, thus not suitable for navigating around the Bay. Much in the way of wind and weather wave action would blow them out of control and swamp them. There are a lot of houseboats in the Bay, nevertheless. But few ever leave their dock. Some occasionally on a very nice day. Some are occupied as liveaboards. Many marinas in the Bay do not like or accept houseboats. Thus it is a bit of a trick to find a space but it's doable. Getting permission to live aboard is yet another trick. There are openings that come up at some marinas. However, some marinas do not allow any live aboards, and others - most - allow no more than 10% of their slips for living. That is the law in the Bay Area, as well. Maximin 10% for live aboards - though some marinas allow some excess. Bottom line is space is limited for live aboards at Marina docks with services.

A few intrepid souls, including yours truly at times in the past, live "on the hook". That is, at large by anchoring out various places. The most (in)famous place being Richardson Bay in Sausalito. Roaming about on the hook is a very adventuresome life, and requires a lot of inconvenience and uncertainty, vigorous exercise (getting back and forth to shore in small boat in all kinds of weather), and at least reasonably excellent seamanship - or considerable stupidity. So most won't do it. Wisely so.

Now then, back to living on a boat at a dock. Many who live on boats in the Bay do so on real boats, that are designed to be seaworthy. Sailboats and cruisers both. Regardless of whether you live on a sailboat or cruiser, or a houseboat - those listed in order of space aboard for living from severely claustrophobic to just terribly cramped - you have to be happy living a very simplistic life. This is anathema to our culture, filled with toys and cravings as most are. Also understand you have no yard or garage or workshop, etc.

Quite a number of people get bit by the dream of life afloat, but when they try it they recoil in horror Thankfully this reality keeps the waterways free of a lot of riff-raf.

One last note: moorage in the metro area docks ain't too cheap. But can be as much as 40% less out in the Delta. Delta living is a whole 'nuther story. But houseboats DO work well back in there and are a major part of the culture of the place. Some real crusty liveaboard types included

[Sovetsky Medved]

How about some pictures of your place?
And what do you do for utilities,water,gas,electric,sewer?

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by Sovetsky Medved

How about some pictures of your place?
And what do you do for utilities,water,gas,electric,sewer?

Not willing to post pictures of my boat. Too obvious to identify.

Utilities? Water and electric are right at the dock to plug into with a cord and hose. If you live at a dock. If you don't, you generate your own through various means and/or mostly use little to none. I have lived at length without electricity. It's not very hard at all. Water you haul in containers in your dinghy or fill when you tie up to various docks for short times. For example, you can tie up at Angel Island state park dock and fill with water. You can do the same at many marinas when you pull in to fill a gas can for your motor or to shop for whatever at their little stores. Etc.

Gas? You mean for your boat motor? Or propane or other? Most marinas have fuel docks that sell gas.

Sewer? You use marina shower houses mostly, if you are a resident or paying for an overnight. If you are living free onthe hook you can use one of several disposal methods. There are Electri-San type systems that literally incinerate your solid waste, there are holding tank systems that you pump out at marinas, usually for a fee, there is the old cedar bucket and wood chips, dumped into sanitation when ashore. I've done them all over the years. Holding tanks suck to maintain. Incinerators can break down. Nothing works better than a bucket head, IMO.

[high density]

just toss your crap over the side

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by high density

just toss your crap over the side

Illegal, irresponsible, and disgusting. Other boaters will hate you and often turn you in, marinas will kick you out. The Coast Guard will arrest you, haul you in, impound your boat, and fine you into the poor house. Any other bright questions?