MetroShip Prefab Modern Houseboats

David Ballinger, the creator and designer of the MetroShed has spun off his latest project with a similar modern aesthetic and focus BUT this one floats — it's the MetroShip Houseboat...

The prefab luxury house boat has an open concept floor plan with a large living area, central kitchen, master bedroom and bathroom. Outfitted with a high-end media center (speakers, HD projector), central heating and air conditioning, it also has high end appliances from Gaggenau, Viking and LG.

You can see more information and images at the MetroShip site.

The base price of $239,000 seems not-so-unreasonable as one might expect (after all, it is a house AND a boat!). Perhaps I need one of these at City Island?

MORE PREFAB
• Metro Kennel by Metro Shed
• Prefab Within Reach...Kithaus at DWR
• Prefab Homes and Furniture by Live Edge
• Hangar Prefab: Fab Prefab in Europe
• "Prefab" Homes by Daniel Libeskind

Comments (8)

It's really nice - a distinct improvement on most houseboats that look like floating FEMA trailers...

...but correct me if I'm wrong - Aren't the vast majority of power (house)boats completely assembled in a factory someplace and delivered to you on a flatbed truck rather than assembled from scratch in your local boatyard?

So calling this "prefab" is rather pointless, Yes?
(In fact, the website doesn't even use the word)

posted by bepsf on July 6th 2009 at 6:21pm
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I love how it looks. My question would be if the actual exterior siding would be storm safe? Even if kept in relatively tranquil waters, storms are inevitable...especially on water.

posted by baileyb on July 6th 2009 at 7:05pm
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I am not in the least bit a sea-worthy person, but I just got a HUGE feeling of needing to put this on my possibilities list. It's gorgeous :o)

posted by unseeneclipse on July 6th 2009 at 7:45pm
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@baileyb--

Perhaps you're not aware that all boats, like all automobiles, and all houses, have to meet certain production/building standards in order to be sold and licensed in the US?

posted by bepsf on July 6th 2009 at 9:03pm
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Forgive my ignorance, but aren't most house boats permanently attached to a dock (which also adds to the cost, GREATLY btw)? I didn't think you take your houseboat a-crusin' like is depicted in those photos. I think they have some type of flexible utility attachments as well.

Also, there might be a question of where to dock the thing. I know here in Seattle, there a finite number of houseboat "spaces" available, and once that quota is met (which it has been for many years), no new houseboats can be docked. Anywhere in the city

The logistical questions are endless! I need a drink!

posted by kellylc on July 6th 2009 at 10:24pm
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i think i just fell in love...

posted by formosagirl on July 7th 2009 at 12:34am
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@kellylc

Two different kinds of houseboats...

The Union Lake Seattle/Sausalito kind - which are floating houses...
...and the other kind, which are floating RV's.

posted by bepsf on July 7th 2009 at 9:36am
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i want one …

posted by maike on July 7th 2009 at 11:15am
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