New floating bungalows: How to downsize with a boat/home on the water
by Peter Janssen 1 Apr 2019 13:50 UTC
Floating Bungalows © Peter Janssen
Here's something new: Floating Bungalows, built to ABYC standards, complete with a hull number and 550-square feet of living space. They cost only $225,000.
Floating Bungalows are the brainchild of Warren and Cynthia Billings, who sold their large house in New Hampshire a few years ago to move to warmer weather and all-year water access in Florida. They also wanted to downsize. Once they got there, however, they suffered severe sticker shock at prices for homes on the water, even small homes on the water.
So they started to design something themselves. It had to be on the water, small, with little upkeep, and a sense of style and beauty. They drew up a prototype and posted it on Facebook. When it got 47,000 hits, they decided to go into business, and Floating Bungalows were born.
In the past year the Billings have built and sold four and two more are under construction in Sanford. Each bungalow has hardwood floors, a head with shower, a salon/living room and a bedroom. Depending on the model, there also are front porches and upper porches. Appliances include a four-burner gas range, fridge, dishwasher and combo washer/dryer. The countertops are granite or quartz.
The hull, remember this is a boat, is made of copolymer, which the Billings say is the ideal foundation since it's heavy duty and durable. It also is low maintenance and does not need bottom paint.
The bungalows are built to ABYC standards and are registered as boats; each one has its own hull number. They can be insured as boats, according to the Billings. They do not have an engine, however; if that's a requirement, the company can figure something out. And you have to plug into a dock for shore power and water, just like any boat without a genset or solar power.
If you're worried about hurricanes, here's what the company's website has to say: "We recommend that owners of Floating Bungalows do what all owners of large boats do during a hurricane: double tie down your vessel, check with your insurance agent that your premiums are paid, and evacuate to dry land."
To read more visit floatingbungalows.com
This article has been provided by the courtesy of the Cruising Odyssey.