The wife and I are seriously considering the purchase of a 47' houseboat up on Lake Conroe. Anyone own one here that knows what to look for when we inspect. I am familiar with buying regular boats, but am pretty much clueless as to all the things I would need to check out before the purchase.

We currently have:

Recent inspection(Inc. below the waterline)

All receipts for additional work done

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First look is this morning

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jack

I would think you would need to merge everything you would inspect for a camper and a boat in one.

1. Hull inspection

2. Motor inspection

3. Any relevant boat type maintenance.

4. Check all plumbing for sinks, drains, sewage, etc

5. Above waterline check for water damage, condition of roof, play in the rails, flooring/carpenting inside and out. Weak spots in the flooring and roof.

6. Electrical, turn on every light, everything you can think of at once, check the breakers, make sure they have not been jerry rigged.

7. Steering, drive test, etc.

That is a guess though. it is what I would think of

http://www.houseboatingworld.com/tips-for-buying-a-used-houseboat.html

Thabnks guys. We did our inspection and it seems to be what we are looking for. Will get started Monday going through the process of having a marine inspection done on the boat. allready discovered that the heating element in the hot water heater is bad. Other than that and Wanda and I decided that we would like another color on the boat, we may make an offer if it checks out.

That's awesome, Jack.  My wife and I rented a houseboat for a week a few years back at secluded Lake Stockton in southwest Missouri.  We had a blast.  That would definitely be a place to spend some time in retirement, though I would still want to keep my bassboat tethered nearby.   

Well, I have an issue going. Seems none wants to insure a houseboat with a metal hull even though the inspection shows it to be in good shape. Still looking, but we are running out of options. Insurance is required where we want to locate it and I certainly will not spend this kind of money if I cannot get the coverage. Too many things could happen and I don't want to be left holding the bag. There are several hundred boats at this marina and all it takes is one little wiring short or fuel leak to set one off. It would be an amazing fire to watch, but not if yours in line next. LOL.