The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1909-06-27
INEXPENSIVE HOUSEBOAT
SUMNER COMFORT IN AN OLD
BARGE OR CANAL boat.

BARGE OR CANAL boat.
The KIN or Hull ( select-DeckhOuse
to BE Adapted 10 the Outdoor Life
-Equipnienf OF StaterO0ms ana
Gailey-Crew OF n Man sufhcient.
One advantage Of the houseboat is Its
cheapness. At almost any fishing place.
marine basin or shipyard old hulks and
hulls may be picked up for almost nothing,
and these if judiciously treated mag bs
transformed into charming and even
luxurious summer homes.
The hull selected must have a broad.
hat bottom: its timbers must be firm
and sound, well calked and absolutely
water tight. The hull should not be
Of too deep q draught and should have
good lines as far as possible. A house
boat may be made from the hull OF an
old barge or soow that may BIO bought
for as low as s12 to SIS. According to the
Pictorial Rerien, an old canal boat also
Is good material to transform into q
houseboat.
One Of the first things TO be taken into
consideration by the prospective dweller
t6 WnevIcT n6 10 Botb6 w INV sbe
power Q. whether he will depend on lows.
This Of course is largely a matter OF how
much money he cares to put into 1t. with
her own power the houseboat Ia much
more independent. but also much more
expensive, and the greater number are
towed to their destination. r,
The next thing to be determined 10
how much room is to be given to the house
and how much Is to be devoted TO decks
and ~promenades. AS most people who take
TO the houseboat do 30 for he purpose
Of getting more outdoor life. 1t seems
of prime importance that the deck space
should be the greatest possible. even
should II somewhat cramps the interior
arrangement.
For the scow hull there Is perhaps
no better or less expensive arrangement
than 70 have the house set back far enough
from the forward end to leave q DOM
modious space, where the dining table
NAV be spread in fine weather and where
chairs and hammocks are always handy
just outside the house door. Above
this, extending over the wnoie teng.h
work, over which an awning is stretched,
giving a big, cool. airy deck. Here chairs
and hammocks, folding tables and foot
stools, toys, plnythings and work baskets
congregate, and it is the sleeping place.
lounging, place. working Place, playing
Another good but somewhat more exPen-
slve model has a fine deck on top with an
extension window in front, the glass OF
which may be let down. during the line
weather. forming the whole end OF the
craft into an enclosed porch and in stormy
weather when closed making q pleasant
and sheltered sitting room. ~.
One OF the first essentials OF q house.
boat ia that she should be weatherproof
in every particular. The roo should be
made with an overhang; tar paper. TAR
canvas and paint will make therp
durable roofing. There should be strong
firm hooks for every fitting. and tanks on
roof and decks for water. a.
II the hull is dep enough these tanks
may be built there and fitted with a pump,
and either pumps or a small wlnofnliI set
up on the aft deck will be necessary 70
reduce the bilge water that will get
through ever the stanchest hull.
Some good strong hawsers and at least
two anchors will be required, FOR even In
the ouietest aud most protected waters
rough weather and choppy seas are some7
times experienced, and II IS wei then 70
anchor your water home fore and aft so
that she may he kept steady and secure
and weather the storm without discomforf
to her inmates.
For the sleeping arrangements there Is
no better plan than hunks built in, two 70
a stateroom, with supports and croes
pillars, wire springs and good hair mat,
tresses. These hunks may he curtained
OF il desired, and for this purpose, In fact
for all the hangings, cretonne, denim ana
arras cloth are good. 1t is always well
to nave an extra bed or two. and these
may be made an attractive part OF tne Nv
ing room furnishing by using strong iron
frame cots with woven wire springs.
furnished with good mattresses, artisuc
covers and plenty of pillows
The after deck of a h~ouseboat corre-
spends to the back porch OF the sum
mer cottage Here the captain VINO Is
also -the oook and the bo's'n tight and
| the crew of the captains gig may whistle
his folk sons as he peels his potatoes: .'jia
Here is hung a life preserver to fors-
stall accidents. just as We carry an um-
brella to keep II from raining. High up
on the wall OF the house proper, hela n
| place by rings or hooks, are brooms, deck
mop, boat hook, crab net, fishing lines.
extra oars, DC. Under his bench against
| the wall is a locker for tools.
The frosh water may be supplied by q
tank or hogshead made fast at the stern
Of the upper deck. This aids IN paiIasung
the boat and admits Of pipes being run
down into the galley tanks and the dressing
rooms. Now and then a bag of charcoal
may be placed in the tank as a hitter.
Fresh water should be pumped INTO the
tank once a week, or oftener. .5t.e
The problem of lighting is cheaply
solved. A tank or five gallon can OF oil
Is kept on the rear deck. This supplies
the riding or anchor lights. which the law
requires each night on h a or nag
pole; it Also supplies the little brass lan-
terms that hang in the abn n state.
rooms. as well as the cooking stove and
the heater. In many households candles
ore used for lighting,
An old fashioned open Franklin stove
is an excellent thing to have. for no matter
how warm the summer may be there are
sure TO come cold, rainy days, when u 10
raw and damp on the water and when
a little fire makes it vastly more cosey
comfortable.
1t is also we'll to provide two large
tables, one to be left outside or on the
upper deck for serving the meals upon in
pleasant weather, the other on the interior
OF the house for writing, sewing and to
use for dining purposes when too cool or
stormy to eat outside.
The kitchen or galley is one OF the most
important considerations. A small port
| able range or oil, alcohol or gasolene
stove should he provided. and broad. com
modious shelves built in the wall for dishes
and cooking utensils. The furnishing OF
the kitchen may be as expensive as the
taste and pocketbook dictate.
A good water cooler made OF galvanized
tin, three cornered n unobtrusively
fastened into its corner, has a lid with
handle at top. 40 that ice may be put into