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The Pipercraft trailerable houseboat combines a pop-up camper concept with a pontoon boat, creating a mobile home that works on both road and water. Hydraulic systems raise and lower the structure for easy towing, while the pontoon design provides stable living space on lakes and rivers.
Design Details
- Manufacturer: Pipercraft
- Length: 28′ (boat), 31′ (with trailer)
- Width: 8′ 6″
- Height (towing): 9′ 7″ (collapses hydraulically)
- Weight: Approximately 8,000 lbs with trailer
- Engine: 75 HP
- Sleeping Capacity: 4-5 people
- Fresh Water: 65 gallons
- Black Water: 33 gallons
- Grey Water: 44 gallons
- Fuel: 47 gallons
- Features: Toilet, shower, refrigerator, stove, generator, air conditioning, outdoor grill
Houseboat Raised Configuration
Collapsed for Towing
The hydraulic pop-up system allows the houseboat to collapse to a lower profile for easier towing, similar to how pop-up campers compress for road travel.
Underway on Water
Built-In Shore Ramp
A built-in ramp simplifies boarding from shore, eliminating the need for docks in many situations.
Kitchen and Dining Area
Bathroom with Shower
Pop-Up Sleeping Loft
Front Deck with Grill
The front deck area includes a cockpit for piloting and an outdoor grill for cooking while enjoying views on the water.
Lessons from Trailerable Houseboat Design
- Hydraulics Enable Dual Use: Pop-up systems allow the same vessel to work efficiently on roads and water
- Pontoon Platforms Maximize Space: Wide, stable pontoon designs create more usable interior area than traditional boat hulls
- Self-Contained Systems Add Flexibility: Generator, holding tanks, and air conditioning enable extended stays without shore hookups
- Built-In Ramps Expand Access: Shore access features eliminate dependence on marina infrastructure
- Outdoor Living Extends Interior: Front decks and grills effectively expand living space beyond the enclosed cabin
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Alex
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WOW! That's an amazing water craft!
WOW! That's an amazing water craft!
I’d like to buy or build a lightweight trailerable houseboat or a pontoon catamaran, which can carry a mobile home, or a slide on construction which can be used on a pontoon base as well as on a flat-bed road trailer.
Any contacts and links welcome!
I search the web for such solution and found the houseboat PRORETA 7 – Made in Germany. More information under http://www.das-hausboot.com
What are you asking? Location? How old is the motor?
Thanks
Hey Chet it’s already been sold. It was on auction in eBay.
Wow! That’s one of the most unique things I’ve seen in awhile. Is it a boat, a camper or a housboat? Hey, it’s all that! Way cool!
Glad you liked it Randy!
Unique and really neat. This would be awesome for any who like both camping and sailing! Guess this would mean you are ready for anything, right? Good idea…… wonder if there are any more out there.
Glad you liked it, Kat. I haven’t really seen many others like this out there but then again I haven’t looked too much. If you find something please share the link here!
Would like to know if the little square tent on top of this collapseable houseboat by pipercraft is available for sale as a separate item? I would like to add it to houseboat I will be building . Thanks, jack
I am, Or Was in the process of building one about like that. Had to stop, go through radiation therapy, But I’m back. I Like that idea, where I live in Florida, I have to go under a few Low bridges. With this type, I can just lower it, . AND In storms it won’t be so Top heavy.
I Appreciate you Showing it on here, made up my mind on how to build mine, I just hope it’s as good as what you built.
This is the second of two boats that were made. It was designed and built in Pewaukee WI by my Mom and her husband. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough interest in the idea of a trailerable houseboat at the time. They did the RV and boat show circuit , but could not generate enough interest in it to make a third boat. It is too bad, because it was a lot of fun to take camping. And the beauty of it was that you could camp in campgrounds or boondock on lakes with it.
I should do like the design of this camper/boat. Kind of reminds me of a Hi/Lo camper on pontoons. I can make good use of this unit. It is too bad that they didn’t go into production!
So , the company never went beyond a prototype ?