Houseboat news around the world
New houseboat trend: Tiny Floats
After 'tiny houses' it's time for Tiny Floats After the worldwide ‘tiny houses’ trend, there is a new kid on the block. A floating kid born in The Netherlands - not surprisingly since this country has a rich history of living with water. The concept is simple: a floating vacation home, just as luxurious as a regular land-based house, with an inboard parking space for your boat. Tucking all this in less than 45 square metres was less simple. “But we love challenges, and we succeeded in our goal”, says builder and co-designer Dieuwe Wierema at Waterstudio. Dieuwe is co-founder of the Tiny Floats project and is proud that this dream has come true. “Actually, we have just delivered the first Tiny Float to her new owner. That is quite a milestone. Because thinking of a concept and designing - a big thanks to designer Koen Olthuis - it is one thing, but realizing it is quite a different ball game.” The first Tiny Float has just been delivered to her new owner. "Quite a milestone since creat
Houseboat journey from Hamburg to Paris and Amsterdam
Incredible houseboat journey with time-lapse video Traveling is the most irresistible way to reinvigorate your mind with new ideas. Some choose to stay in a hostel due to budget, some luxuriate in the hotel with a swimming pool, and others choose to stay at a houseboat. However, German photographer Claudius Schulze lifts up his life to a new level by actually building his own houseboat and sailing his ‘soulmate’ from Hamburg to Paris, and stopping by in Amsterdam along the way. And the coolest thing about this is that he made an awesome time-lapse video of his trip from Hamburg to Hannover. By Linh VoThe houseboat during her amazing journey through Europe.Claudius laid the first stone on his career path as a professional photographer. But he soon attached another hobby to his walk of life. He was ruminating about a means of transportation that can enable him to take more astounding photos and travel Europe at the same time. Inspired by the love of nature, he constructed his houseboat f
The sky is the limit with the HydroHome
Unique transportable houseboat hydroplane parking Let's face it: the main reason why you don’t have a hydroplane yet is that you would have troubles parking the thing, right? The good news is that a solution is found by yacht- and houseboat architect Max Zhivov: a houseboat that serves as a hydroplane parking. And when you want to move to another lake, just take it out of the water and tow it to wherever your next destination is with the two complementary trucks. By: Juul Steyn - Images: Max ZhivovLike many brilliant ideas, this concept emerged from a problem. “In this case, I found out there is a lack of mobile parking facilities for hydroplanes when reading several pilot forums,” says Zhivov in an interview with Bookahouseboat. “My solution was to design a houseboat, a wharf for boats, a garage, and a water parking for a hydroplane. A project that now has seen the light, with the great help of my friend and airplane designer Alexander Shapin.” Ambitious but not impossible Sounds a
BUSTED: 7 Winter myths about houseboats
Cold feet about renting a houseboat in winter? Staying at a houseboat is getting more popular every year. But for some people renting a floating holiday home during the cold winter months is sometimes a step too far. Cold feet, so to speak. People often say the climate aboard is a reason not to book a houseboat. Its lack of amenities supposedly is another reason. Let’s have a look at the main concerns – and debunk them one by one. We will be focusing particularly on moored houseboats rentals such as the ones located on rivers and canals of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, London and of course Paris. Driving houseboats will be featured separately. In Amsterdam even the oldest houseboat, some over a hundred years of age, are very well insulated. (Photo: Maarten Brante) Myth #1: Houseboats are cold during the winter It’s a reasonable assumption: houseboats lay in the water and in extreme circumstances even in the ice, so they must be cold during winter. This was true during the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s
Light Festival - Shared canal cruise Amsterdam
From the 30th of November until the 21st of January 2018, the canals of Amsterdam will be illuminated by the 6th edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival. Hop on a fully electric, luxurious boat with a pop-up roof, heated seats, blankets, and pillows, and enjoy this winter festival in style!Along the route, you will admire 35 light sculptures from international artists such as Ai WeiWei. With a small group of max. 8 guests, you will be welcomed aboard with a free glass of mulled wine, and will cruise your way through the canals with a knowledgeable captain during your trip. The cruise can be booked as an all-inclusive 2-hour shared trip including drinks and snacks. Enjoy the stunning views while enjoying a snack platter, local craft beers, organic wines, and soft drinks, for only €50,- per person. Or gather your friends and book a cosy private cruise, from €250,- per 90 minutes, with the possibility to include snacks and drinks. Book light festival cruise now!
5 Reasons to rent a houseboat in Amsterdam this winter
5 Things to do when renting a houseboat in Amsterdam this winter You might think that Amsterdam winters are long and cold, but you're wrong. These months are sparkling with light and energy - making it one of the most interesting destinations. Here is a list with cool things to do in Amsterdam during January, February, and March. Images by Maarten Brante 1) Amsterdam Lightfestival (till January 21st) If you book a houseboat during the Amsterdam Light Festival, you are assured to have a unique and unforgettable experience. (Photo: Maarten Brante)Staying at a houseboat between November 30th and January 21st is a truly unique experience thanks to the Amsterdam Light Festival. Numerous artworks on the canals, some right in front of our houseboats, enlighten the city. For 7 weeks on end, these pieces of art are ‘set on fire’ between 17.00 and 23.00. Without a doubt, one of the most unique ways to experience Amsterdam during the winter period. Visit website of the Amsterdam Light FestivalA
Self elevating electrical floating houseboat villa
ARKUP's houseboat beats nature in style Climate change and scarcity of space in urban areas inspired ARKUP, an ‘avant garde live on the water company’ to rethink the concept of houseboats. The result is the livable yacht: a high-end floating, self elevating and electrical powered villa that can withstand floods, tidal water level changes and even category 4 storms. By: Bookahouseboat.comArtist impressions: ARKUP The self-elevating lift system makes the houseboat invulnerable for wind, waves and rapid changing tides and floods. The two masterminds behind this new concept are the Frenchman Nicolas Derouin and Dutch water architect Koen Olthuis of Waterstudio.nl. Although the latter operates from Amsterdam, the houseboat capital of the world, the ‘livable yacht’ is specifically designed for Florida, USA. This area is popular amongst houseboat fans, but also faces frequent storms. An unique automated hydraulic jack-up system enables you to anchor and lift up the houseboat, making it invu
Rooftop revolution on Amsterdam houseboats
Green rooftop revolution on Amsterdam houseboats Every revolution has a starting point, and in Amsterdam it was marked by three houseboats on the canal Da Costakade that were covered with a green roof in a day. The final goal of a small non-profit-organization called ‘Grachten van Smaragd’ (Emerald Canals) is to cover all rooftops of the 2500 floating homes with a organic green roof. “Yes, it is very ambitious, but we still have 8 years to go before before we want to have reached this goal”, says Toon van de Put, Initiator of Grachten van Smaragd. “We think it is a unique and valuable gift to the city of Amsterdam in 2025 when she is celebrating her 750th birthday. A precious piece of jewelry that will make the city shine!” One of the three houseboats that got a green roof on the same day, celebrated with live music. (photo: Juul Steyn/Bookahouseboat.com)The start of the project was on September 12th. The owners of three houseboats in the Amsterdam West district have worked hard to
Book your high-end private boat tour in Amsterdam
Did you know that there are more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of canals to explore in the stunning city center of Amsterdam? What better way to discover ‘the Venice of the North’ with your family and friends than on your own private luxury canal cruise! Together with Bookahouseboat.com, Pure Boats offers you a personalized exclusive boat trip through the 17th century canals. Our knowledgeable and fun captain would love to welcome you aboard our deluxe 100% electric 'sloep'. Book your private cruise now! Where possible, we will pick you up from your own houseboat. All you have to do is sit back, relax and discover beautiful Amsterdam from the water. The spacious 'sloep' comfortably accommodates up to 10 guests (there are more boats available). The self service bar is fully stocked with (local) beverages, such as soft drinks, beers, wines and spirits. Upon request biological snacks and catering can be provided. We’d love to customize your trip, so any requests for drinks, food, decorat
Into the deep with an Amsterdam submarine
The ultimate bucket list thing-to-do for houseboat fans Here is a bucket-list-thing you did not even know it existed: make a dive with a real submarine into the deep just 20 minutes away from Amsterdam city centre. A truly unforgettable experience in the crystal clear waters of the 'Vinkeveense Plassen', world famous lakes just around the corner of Amsterdam. Get on board with captain Emile van Essen and you will know what it is like to be a fish, floating free and see something new every minute that you slide through this amazing underwater world. Front view of the NordicSub submarine in Vinkeveen near Amsterdam. (photo: Sander van de Heijden) Juul Steyn, co-founder of Bookahouseboat, was surprised by his fiancee who gave him a 1,5 hour trip as a present for his 40th birthday. It turned out to be the best present he had in years. "I just could not believe that I was actually going under water, until the hatch was closed and the air tanks were emptied. Within a few seconds we were
Freightship transformed into floating castle
And the winner is... Houseboat Robbedoes The prestigious title Houseboat of the Year, awarded by the Dutch VLOT Magazine, has been won by this amazing floating villa: Houseboat Robbedoes. Did we say floating? We actually meant 'driving', because this beauty is fully equipped and registered as a ship. So the owners can take her anywhere they want and cross Europe with their own home! The annual competition is organized by the Dutch magazine VLOT, a unique and free high-end magazine sent to (almost) all 13,000 houseboat owners in The Netherlands. The competition this year was fierce and broad. This may not be a true surprise since The Netherlands are famous for the many thousands of houseboats that are dotted all over the country. From moored to driving houseboats, and from concrete barges to driving steel freighters and even newly built non-driving ships - a new thing in the world of houseboats - battled for the title. Look inside the Houseboat of the Year! However, there can be on
How is it to live on a houseboat?
What is living on the water like? Everyone who is used to 'terra firma' under their feet sometimes wonders what it is like to live on a houseboat. Is there enough space? Do you get seasick? What's it like in winter? What kind of boats can you live on? How do you get your mail? This houseboat exhibition in Rotterdam lets you see what living on the water in the Netherlands is typically like. Using models of various houseboats and waterborne accommodations (a pontoon houseboat, a boat conversion and a water villa) Have a look at these lovely exhibits with their detailed interiors, four of which were made specially for 'Living on the Water'. Listen to the interviews with houseboat residents who will tell you everything about their very different reasons - and the love they have in common - for living on the water. I'd also recommend you to give the tiny deck-house a visit and see how to arrange things in a houseboat so that it will not float at a skew angle. Next you can have a nice st