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| mBoat | Known manufacturers | |
|---|---|---|
| Frame – house | Stainless steel frame – standard price Wooden frame – price reduction by ca. EUR 4.000 net | Wood |
| Frame – hull | Stainless steel | Galvanized – may corrode in salt water |
| Exterior walls | Durable vinyPlus profiles on the exterior walls (20 mm): link 10-years of German warranty | Steel in some parts which corrode in salt water |
| Floats | Made of elastomer, filled with 100% styrodur. Unsinkable & iceproof & salt-resistant link The elastomer layer is very flexible and strong, which prevents cracking and other damage – the layer may dent but will not break. The entire float with its tanks and frame is cast in elastomer as a single monolith with water drainage channels and technical channels – even when flooded, the water drains out of the entire float by itself, no possibility of water entering the float from above. No servicing or painting required. | Plastic floats, filling with polystyrene granules, which gives a risk of flooding in 20-30% of the float volume and ultimately sinking the houseboat |
| Roof | Lightweight and very strong roof made of composite with a styrodur core (10 cm, perfect insulation). No heavy steel construction, lowered centre of gravity and therefore more stable in waves. No leaks | The roof is made of plywood, covered with a PVC membrane, to which the railings and solar panels are attached with screws. Leaks may appear! |
| Buoyancy | The total buoyancy of the floats is 250% of the weight of the entire boat, providing a very large margin of safety. Total floats height: 84 cm (protects against waves and provides great stability). | Regular height of floats |
| Windows | Double glazed aluminum windows (resistant to water environments and seawater) | Double glazed aluminum windows |
| Flooring – interior | Natural wood, three-layer glued ash, water resistant, self-draining deck under the entire floor, so even if flooded through an open door, the water will drain away and dry out on its own over time, no absorbent underlays under the floor. | ??? |
| Flooring – outdoor | Composite boards | Composite boards |
| PRICE | Good, may purchase at factory price Price for m2 of house area: ca. 2350 EUR / m2 | High Price for m2 of house area: ca. 4250 EUR / m2 |
OTHER brands on the house boat market
House boats produced by known European producers are built on catamaran-style polyethylene pontoons supported by galvanized steel frames. The cabins are typically timber-framed, sometimes with additional steel reinforcement beneath skanvik.com. In some models, the wooden frame is clad in plastic or wood panels, while others use metal-profile framing with thicker insulation for colder conditions.
Some versions feature Nordic-style exteriors with wood cladding and roof decks. Cabins with timber frames provide natural insulation and a traditional aesthetic, but require proper sealing to protect against moisture. The emphasis in these designs is often on comfort and year-round usability, particularly in colder climates.
Hull & Float Construction
Most of the brands use polyethylene floats and they claim that they are unsinkable. Their floats are made of polyethylene, with some designs using closed-cell foam inside and others using segmented pontoons draityachts.nl. This material is stable and non-reactive in both fresh and salt water. The floats are mounted on galvanized steel frames, which offer strong support and resistance to corrosion. However, in saltwater environments, regular maintenance is required to protect the steel and ensure durability (steel should be inspected and protected over time).
The result is that neither brand has a true stainless steel hull – they rely on plastic floats (no corrosion) and steel supports (good protection if undamaged).
Roof and Leak Risks
These houses typically feature flat, insulated roofs, often designed to support a deck or terrace above the cabin. While this design offers usable outdoor space, roof leaks can occasionally occur if seams, seals, or trim are compromised. Some users have reported issues such as water intrusion during heavy rain, usually due to seal or material failure – “rain coming in (because the roof leaks)” boataround.com. Sellers and renters generally report solid roof performance; for example, a used typical boat house listing remarked that the roof only “needed a paint job” and “does not leak” after maintenance.
The lack of complaints on the internet may be due to the small amount of the product on the market, we did not reach many owners of these boats. Typical builders emphasize year-round (winter) use, implying good sealing and insulation, but buyers should still inspect roof seals during surveys.
Saltwater Performance & Corrosion
Thanks to their plastic floats, clasic designs are inherently saltwater-resistant on the pontoons. The polyethylene hulls will not corrode or deteriorate in brackish or marine conditions. The vulnerability lies in the steel frame and fittings: galvanized frames resist rust, but edges or bolt holes can eventually corrode in salt. Regular application of corrosion inhibitors or sacrificial anodes is prudent if sailing in saline environments. The wooden cabin structures are above-water (well-sealed), so salt affects them only via moisture in the air; proper coatings and caulking mitigate this.
