One of the most promising boat investments is purchasing a stationary house boat and turning it into a luxury floating apartment. When located in a beautiful, desirable area, such a house can generate strong rental income by offering guests a unique and high-end stay right on the water.
Strong ROI (about 15-24%)
European clients see return in 4-5 years
If you have any doubts about the profitability of the house boat investment, we encourage you to take a look at the following websites, where you will find the booking calendars for our floating houses delivered to customers in 2022 – 2025 (all of our customers order more units due to the high profitability of renting them):
- Ireland, 2023
http://airbnb.com/h/lakelandshouseboat
(new order under consideration for 2025) - UK, 2023 (1st unit), 2025 (2nd unit)
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1015058668659112933
(the new order under consideration for 2026) - UK, 2022 (4 units)
https://www.taymouthmarina.com/houseboats/
(new order under consideration for 2025) - France, 2025
https://www.airbnb.com/l/QA6Iyiez
(new order under consideration for 2026) - Spain, 2024 (2 units)
https://www.booking.com/hotel/es/azvalia-house-boat.en-gb.html - the Netherlands, 2025
https://watersportverhuurbedrijfdearne.nl/houseboat-huren/
(new order under consideration for 2026) - Germany, 2023
https://www.boataround.com/boat/houseboat-muritz-jutta - 13 houses delivered to Cadiz (Spain) in 2024 – 2025, all for rental reasons: https://boathouseco.com/
- 4 houses delivered to Prague (Czechia) in 2024 – 2025, all for rental reasons: https://www.booking.com/Share-iR8z8G
Stationary floating home on the water: A Year-Round, High-Value Investment
Investing in stationary floating lodges offers an exceptional opportunity to generate income from unique, in-demand waterfront accommodations. These floating homes are designed for all-season use, making them rentable throughout the entire year—even in colder climates.
Built with ice-resistant hulls and floats, these houseboats remain stable and safe during winter months. They come equipped with reliable heating systems, including electric heaters, gas or diesel units, and eco-friendly pellet stoves, as well as heat pump systems that provide both heating and cooling depending on the season. Many models are also built with saltwater-resistant materials, ensuring long-term durability and flexibility in location—whether on inland lakes, rivers, or coastal marinas.
What truly sets stationary water lodges apart as an investment is their high residual value. Unlike traditional real estate, these units can often be resold locally after years of use with minimal depreciation, especially when well-maintained. Their novelty, energy efficiency, and unique lifestyle appeal contribute to strong market demand and excellent resale potential. Whether placed in a city marina, nature park, or popular holiday destination, stationary boathouses offer a reliable, low-maintenance rental income stream and long-term asset value.
Investing in Mobile Floating House Boats: A Profitable and Flexible Opportunity – what’s the return on investment in boat?
Another worthwhile option is investing in mobile houseboats and starting a rental company that allows guests to cruise on lakes and rivers independently. This concept is especially popular in countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and France, where inland waterways are ideal for leisure boating. With increasing demand for slow travel and immersive nature experiences, mobile boathouse rentals are a growing niche with strong potential.
Mobile boathouses present a unique and growing investment opportunity. These versatile vessels are designed not only as stylish and comfortable living spaces on the water, but also as fully mobile units capable of cruising across extensive waterways.
In countries like Germany and the Netherlands, where inland waterway networks are vast and well-maintained, mobile houseboats can travel freely, offering unforgettable travel experiences and broad tourism potential. Similar opportunities also exist in France and the UK, where picturesque canals and rivers attract thousands of leisure boaters each year.
For investors, mobile barges can be chartered out to travelers seeking slow, immersive journeys through nature and historic towns. To operate, it’s typically required to partner with a certified charter company, which manages licensing, maintenance, and customer support—making the investment largely hands-off while generating consistent returns. With rising interest in sustainable, experience-driven travel, mobile floating homes are not just a real estate asset on water—they’re a lifestyle product with strong rental and appreciation potential.
