Because Coast Guard regulations for passenger vessels are complex, such a boat should not be a first project. There are still a few sternwheel towboats working in the Ohio and Kanawha River valleys. The cruising boats in the ASA fleet begin in two ways. One is the adaptation or rebuilding of an old boat, the other is construction starting with a new hull. Both cover a wide range of boats.
Many old boats are suitable for conversion.
At the large end of the scale are old river towboats. Towboat salvage or conversion should be approached with great caution as many old hulls are very badly rusted. Several nice cruisers have been based on used houseboat hulls. Usually the stern of the hull should be modified, and the hull lengthened. A major danger in pleasure boat conversion is the temptation to build a cabin which exceeds the capacity of the hull.