The Objective

The Object of this project is to create a self-sustaining and eco-friendly floating dwelling.   Where possible it will use recycled materials and eco-friendly processes.   It’s basis comes from a design called ‘Peanut’ you can read about here: http://www.boatdesign.com/pnutline.htm

I emailed Chuck to see if there were any build plans available but received no answer.   So, because I want to totally redesign and update the interior features it looks like I’ll be learning AutoCad.   This will allow me to build in changes for future versions and sell the plans online to help finance the project.

Although the Peanut is 8’ wide, I plan to build the 10’ wide Walden version.   First, because I want that two extra feet of space, and second, I don’t plan to want to trailer this once it’s in place.   In fact, I plan to divide the project into two phases:  build one 10’x 30’ houseboat and then add-on a second 10x30’ to expand on the existing living areas.

This blog is to keep track of ideas I come up with, or see on home improvement projects so that when the time comes I don’t forget anything I saw months ago.  

When I saw ‘ecological friendly’ and ‘self-sustaining’ I mean using things like solar panels on the roof, composting toilets, collecting and filtering rainwater, etc.   Today’s solar panels should be able to produce or store enough electricity to run most electronic conveniences.  

The design is unique in that instead of building a floating ‘boat’ which would require a lot of maintenance due to it sitting IN the water, especially salt-water, you build this on floating barrels.    What you do is fill those blue fish-barrels with foam, and seal them, then stick them under your platform.   Then you build your house on top of the platform.  If you need to, replace one barrel with another.    This has advantages over pontoons in that they are less expensive to maintain.   One disadvantage is that it would be less maneuverable if you needed to change anchorage or marinas.

With today’s modern building materials one can build a cozy, sturdy, on-water cabin with a little knowledge and reasonable building skills.   For example, I’m presently working in a building under construction where they are using a spray on foam for insulation.   And it’s been around for years, but perfect for a boat floor which is exposed to an open area underneath is in-floor heating.    Electric (run off solar panels) or my thinking would be hot-water….running tubes under the floor.   That way a solar panel could constantly heat the water and circulate it under floor.   And with the right climate control panel it could automatically circulate water cooled by the ocean for a form of air conditioning.  

In fact, you could use the same concept for fire suppression, hot water heating, etc etc.   There are just so many possibilities.   Oh, and almost forgot the new easy-to-lay hardwood floor panels, all-in-one shower enclosures, over-under laundry machines…the list is endless.