Print at Dec 17, 2025, 9:59:50 PM

Posted by okh at Jul 18, 2016, 11:34:56 AM
Houseboat / marine / nautical models
After the discussion in thread 6916 Beach house - and 6922 about tiny homes it was hard not to notice that there are more and more small houses built on floats / pontoons in different marinas. Many of them used all year as permanent houses. Whether they are nice or look like scruffy shelters on barges, is a matter of taste. But concept is still intriguing. Simple layouts that rely on making the most of limited space utility access (e.g. marinas often have a 750W electricity limit).

Several manufacturers have prefabricated designs or will custom build just about any size and any luxury including fireplaces and all normal house functions. The smallest, usable standard, pontoon floating system for a building appears to be around 250×750 cm. Here is a look at what one could do with that space.

A tiny home that:
Can be trailered < 255 cm.
Can be towed or fitted with outboard and moved (in relatively sheltered waters).
Fits narrow marina berth < 300 cm overall, which means you could fit many small homes in a floating dock marina.

See 3D view. (testing the 3D publishing service: Exported homes manager.)

In case anyone should be tempted: SH3D file with some custom models, in SF 3D Models 397 :
pontoon_float_house_06_pub.sh3d
- Combo sofa/table/bunk (hide table and display bed).
- Kitchen/galley section with combo sink / stovetop.
- Standard marine toilet.
- Alu frame windows (with hidden mullions).
- Misc: Ladder/hatch, cleat, paraffin safety lamp, pontoon.

ok