Pontoon Houseboat of the World
Boats are vessels that have many purposes but they are mainly for marine transport. One of the more uniquely shaped boats is a pontoon boat.
A pontoon boat has floats to support a structure on the water. This structure might be as simple as a flat deck. It might also be as a house-like structure, forming a houseboat.
A pontoon houseboat is a watercraft designed or has been functionally altered so as to become a dwelling place for people. Some pontoon houseboats can move by human or mechanical power. Some are moored and kept still at a certain point.
Pontoon houseboats are commonly seen worldwide. In Southeast Asia, they are used as residences for poor people. In other places they are used as secondary or temporary homes for vacation or for tourism.
They also vary a lot in design and size. In Australia, for example, many pontoon house boats are motorized and have two or three bedrooms. Some even have second levels or storeys. They could be privately owned as residential dwellings or vacation houses although many of these boats are rented as a tourist's temporary dwelling. They are also used as fishing platforms for tourists who want to fish.
In Canada, pontoon houseboats are becoming very popular in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, thanks to the large numbers of rivers and lakes. It is also due to the beautiful settings and the sight of quaint villages in the country. In fact, the town of Sicamous, British Columbia is unofficially named the "Houseboat Capital of the World."
Lavishly styled and decorated pontoon houseboats can be found in Europe, especially along the waterways of Amsterdam, Netherlands. In fact, there are even houseboat hotels. Unfortunately, pontoon houseboats are expensive to acquire or to rent in Amsterdam due to the limited number of moorings.
In India, houseboats called Kerala are large, slow-moving barges used for leisure travel. Earlier in history, they were used as barges to haul rice and spices. Their hulls are made out of wooden planks that are held together by ropes made of coconut fiber. The roofs are made out of bamboo poles and palm leaves.
In New Zealand, houseboating is considered a leisure activity. During this time, people who are either living or renting in pontoon houseboats meet and enjoy activities together in a festival like atmosphere. This is usually done in Whangaroa Harbor, east of Northland, New Zealand. The beautiful scenery of this landlocked harbor provides a great houseboating experience for everyone.
