BAILEY STONE BARNARD

Location of operation is the primary distinction between a houseboat and a yacht. Yachts are designed for open water, whereas houseboats are built for inland waterways. Houseboats, unlike yachts, don’t need inclined hulls to get through big ocean waves, therefore they may go considerably more slowly and have larger beams. Unlike yachts, which must have tight hallways and limited cabins because of their narrower beams, they have broader bases, giving them a domestic feel with layouts that resemble residences on land.Most European nations still employ fixed, non-motorized houseboats as their primary dwellings, making recreational houseboating more common in the United States than in other parts of the world. Most houseboating activity in the United States occurs in rented vessels on Lakes Tahoe, Powell, Shasta, Berryessa, Mead, Havasu, Cumberland, and Lake of the Ozarks. The builders on this list offer extraordinary features, from high-end kitchen appliances and entertainment systems to expandable deck spaces and facilities that allow complete autonomy on the water for several days at a time, making them ideal for parties seeking higher levels of comfort and customization. The fundamental appeal of houseboats, of course, is the ability to spend the summer on the water with a small group of loved ones without giving up the flexibility of a permanent dwelling.

ARKUP

The Arkup is more of a floating penthouse than a traditional houseboat, and it brings the same level of comfort and style with it wherever it travels. When the Arkup arrives at its destination, four 40-foot-tall hydraulic pilings (called “spuds” in the maritime industry) are driven into the ocean or lake floor (as deep as 20 feet below the hull) to provide a stable base that is immune to wave roll. The Arkup’s 75 feet in length and 32 feet in beam provide a total of 2,700 square feet of living area, including 1,650 square feet of deck space. Dual 136 hp electric thrusters can move all that living space to a new site at a top speed of 5 knots if the owners ever become bored of where they are. The thrusters may be rotated through 180 degrees, making navigation and docking a breeze.

Up to five bedrooms (all with private bathrooms) and a sizable living area at water level (which may be partitioned) are among the flexible layout possibilities available. Walls of glass fold back to reveal expansive decks (including an overwater terrace, with an outdoor kitchen and dining area) that can be further enlarged with a retractable extension to a total of 456 square feet, seamlessly blending interior and outdoor living. Other notable features include a massive solar panel roof, a system for collecting and purifying rainwater, and a boat lift deck that can also be used as a swim platform. Deliveries can be made anywhere in the world and can take up to 18 months. Assuming a price of $5.5 million, arkup.com

BLUEFIELD HOUSEBOATS

Bluefield Houseboats of Belfast, Northern Ireland, is dedicated to the idea that houseboats may serve as permanent residences; the company’s stationary R-Series models have 500, 750, or 1,600 square feet of living space with two-, three-, or four-bedroom layouts, respectively. The four-bedroom model has two stories and a rooftop patio, while the smaller units have a balcony off the second story.

Bluefield’s designs are modern takes on traditional European architecture, with powder-coated aluminum and machined cedar cladding for an industrial look and feel on the outside. The approximately 8-foot-tall, adaptable interior is bathed in natural light through a glass-walled promenade that encircles the circumference. There is a spacious area at the front that leads out to the overwater balcony in the bow, and the interior is open and boasts natural oak flooring in the living room, dining room, and kitchen. The kitchen is small but fully equipped with Smeg equipment; its modern look is preserved by the use of stone counters and hand-painted, matte anthracite-gray doors without protruding knobs. In-wall touch panels provide for convenient management of lighting, audio, climate, and home theater functions. Bluefield’s M-Series, which is powered and self-sufficient, is now under development. Its global release is expected sometime in the next year. Priced at $122,000 starting; bluefieldhouseboats.com

NAUTILUS HOUSEBOATS

Nautilus Houseboats, designed and built by a small German firm, are ideal for leisurely trips over Europe’s metropolitan canals. The Nautilus is a popular model that comes in 452 square feet (with 7-foot ceilings) to 925 square feet (with 9-foot ceilings) of space. It has enough space for eight grownups and two little toddlers.

Each boat’s layout and design is crafted in close collaboration with customers. The roof above the master bedroom may be raised or lowered as a convertible feature. Solar panels mounted on the roof provide an additional option for generating power on board. A gangway encircles the whole boat, connecting the upper deck up front with the upper deck in the back, which is reached by two curved stairs. The salon on the ground floor is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, and this is typical of the majority of the internal areas. A central fireplace that can be rotated is one potential feature there. Motor packages often come with enough onboard amenities to allow for many days on the water without the need for any outside help. The average time from order to delivery is six months, however boats with extensive customizations may take longer. price starts at $400,000 (nautilus-hausboote.de)

FRIDAY FLOATWING

The Portugal-based Friday firm developed the FloatWing, a floating, modular, self-sufficient apartment or residence with up to three bedrooms. All household electricity, including air conditioning, dishwasher, stove, and other kitchen equipment, is generated by solar and photovoltaic panels installed on board. Two gasoline or electric outboard motors allow for a trolling speed of up to five knots. In order to use lake water for the cisterns and outdoor hoses, a water-treatment facility is available that satisfies European criteria for clean water disposal. The FloatWing can fly alone for a few months thanks to these technologies. The FloatWing is available in a variety of sizes, from the studio (33 feet in length, 300 square feet in size) to the three-bedroom (59 feet in length, 560 square feet in size).

The firm provides 300 unique interior designs, some of which have spas, saunas, satellite Wi-Fi, and high-fidelity entertainment systems as well as a vast variety of other furniture, materials, and layout possibilities. Most nations accept deliveries, and working models may be seen on three different continents. Friday’s modular design allows for the construction of a boat at the company’s headquarters, the shipment of that boat in conventional 40-foot shipping containers, and the final assembly of that boat by a team sent to the location. The expected period of delivery is three months. Between $162,50 to $487,500; gofriday.eu

BRAVADA YACHTS

The Arizona-based maker challenges the conventional wisdom that houseboats must be boxy vessels by creating double-hulled designs with curved superstructures that are reminiscent of ocean-going yachts yet are designed for lakes. Models range in length from 70 feet to more than 100 feet, and they can sleep anywhere from 10 to more than 30 people overnight on their two, three, or four decks. The interior and amenities may be tailored to the individual, just like yachts. The V-Series model from the Atlas Line will be available for purchase starting this summer. With a length of 75 feet and a width of 22 feet, it has enough room for five bedrooms and two shared bathrooms spread out over the boat’s half deck below the waterline and the main deck above. Both decks have 9-foot ceilings, which is rather high for an ocean-going yacht. The main deck has staterooms front and a superbly designed kitchen and living space aft, and is flanked by panels of floor-to-ceiling windows. Full-size stainless steel appliances, such as a center-island gas stovetop and hood, along with quartz countertops and custom cabinetry create a homey atmosphere in the kitchen. Ten televisions and Bose surround sound speakers located strategically around the room add to the ambience. The main salon may be accessed directly from the stern swim platform through a set of full-height glass doors. The sundeck may be reached through a teak staircase on the port side, and once there, guests can find lounge chairs, cushioned sitting, a waterslide, and a fire pit. Price as shown: $1,6,000,000; bravadayachts.com