Building Boathouses

A fella I've known for several years decided he'd like to become independently wealthy by starting his own business. After some research, he decided there was a need for quality boathouses in our neighborhood: most of the ones you see on the lake are about half sunk, and those that aren't, will be in a few years. Both the craftsmanship and the materials left a lot to be desired.

The boathouses he decided he'd build are made of galvanized steel, floating on foam-filled pontoons. They're really strong, and should last about thirty years. Some are equipped with floating boat lifts, also made of galvanized steel.

He, his son, and a couple other buddies built the first boathouse in '97. They found out it was an awful lot of work, and not a whole lot of profit (what with tools dropped in the water and feeding the help). The boathouse comes pretty much as a kit, the pieces made to order and bolted together on site. "On site" means on the water - a WHOLE lot of fun.

He kinda enjoyed it, even though he didn't make any money at it. Building things IS fun.

I was hired as a helper on the second house. We had a lot of problems getting stuff to fit, which slowed down the process and ran up the expenses. I told my new employer I could build this stuff better, it would fit, and he'd make some money. I didn't tell him I'd build it cheaper. Cheaper is not always the right way to go.

The third house was built by the boss, his son, and me. We were getting better, didn't drop so much stuff in the lake, and his wife's hot lunches were expanding my waistline. Still didn't make any money. I reminded the boss I could do the fabrication, and save him some time, and time is money.

The fourth house was special. The owner wanted a wide bottom deck, two jet-ski lifts, and a deck on top. It was huge. It also required a seal from a registered professional engineer on the plans before the city would issue a building permit. I drew up the plans, and learned a bit about architectural design.

These plans went off to the same old shop to be fabricated. Yep, same old problems. The finished boathouse was beautiful, but it took a looooong time. I just can't keep my mouth shut, so I reminded the boss again. And again and again and again.

I guess he just finally gave in. I built the fifth boathouse in my shop, hauled it off to the big city to get galvanized, hauled it back, and we put it together. No problems. Not one. Well, just one little thing - the owner insisted on making the boat slip ten feet wide, against the boss's advice.
When it was all done, the owner launched his monster twin-hull platform party barge, and attempted to drive it into the slip. The barge was nine feet, eight inches wide. The slip was ten feet, less an inch and a half on each side for the bumpers. That leaves one inch of  manuevering room. I'm glad I'm not the one driving the boat.

The plans for the fifth house:

See the triangular thingy hanging down from the side? The slough this house was going in was so narrow, the jet ski couldn't turn around to park the normal way. I had to come up with a way to hang the lift off the side of the boathouse frame, without the weight of the lift bending the house. I got to do some engineering. I shoulda charged extra.

This is the plan for the big house:

In addition to the sundeck, this one has a seating bench all the way around.  And a flat top rail to set beer cans on. Always the practical one, I am.

The city said the deck had to be capable of supporting eighty people. EIGHTY??? I don't know who in their right mind would put eighty people on a deck the size of a three car garage, unless they were all drunk and decided to play "Sink the boathouse".

Here's the finished project:

The submarine-looking object in the boat slip is the lift. We have no idea what the owner expects to do with the canoe.

And another view:

The tree isn't dead. It's winter, and it WAS cold out on the water. Really appreciated those hot lunches the boss's wife fixed.

Want to know more? mailto:johnson@dbtech.net