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Sausalito Houseboats or Floating Homes

posted Sep 26, 2010 4:25 AM by Sophia Chiou   [ updated Sep 26, 2010 1:11 PM by IYRS Alumni Association ]
In looking for interesting ideas in the net we came across the concept of houses on boats or floating homes. 

Every where in the world real estate by the water is sought out and is usually expensive. So houses built on boats is becoming a world industry whether for ocean or fresh water areas offering more affordable options. The idea is not knew of course and whether in Hong Kong or Amsterdam or in Canada or Sausalito CA, there have been people of all incomes living year round on boats. 

So all of us who have attended IYRS and picked up a craft of dealing and shaping wood or have been learning about electrical installations and from now on getting into the secrets of composite structures, should not despair if  times do not offer job opportunities. If some of us are not lucky to be restoring a beauty from the early days of luxury yacht era, opportunities for builders and craftsmen, are around to take any slack of the job market. Stay flexible and look around. 

[Manos Castrinakis, '07]


What is a Floating Home?

Sausalito's picturesque area is one of the oldest floating house / houseboat communities in California. A "Floating Home" is a legally-permitted structure, with no means of self-propulsion, which occupies a permanent berth and is subject to property taxes. It complies with all applicable codes and is connected to all utilities and services, including water, sewage, electricity, gas, telephone, and cable television. Floating home marinas are privately owned and charge homeowners monthly berthage fees. Our communities evolved from the free-spirited artists, shipbuilders and writers who lived aboard the arks and the various types of boats which were informally anchored in San Francisco Bay beginning in the 1800's.  By contrast, today's floating home communities are structured and highly-regulated.

Some of the basic houseboat styles, you will find there, are the Pontoon Houseboat, the Planing Hull, the Catamaran Hull style, the Full Hull, the Floating house etc  Where to find Houseboats for sale?  There are various places to find Houseboats for sale, depending on whether you're looking for aluminum, fiberglas, steel or wood or whether you're looking for pontoon, full hull, planing or trailerable houseboats. Also there are new houseboats, used or rental boats.

Paid walking tours of the houseboats are offered, usually on Saturdays and Sundays by a local guides, some of them include visits to the interiors of the houses.   If you have children with you, it's a good idea, to keep a close eye on them

Sausalito Houseboat Marinas

Bellow you will find a list of the marinas in the area to begin your search, where there's a variety of marina services for boats to floating houses.

  • Arques Shipyard & Marina, 2350 Marinship Way, Sausalito, CA 94965 (415)332-3552

  • Clipper Yacht Harbor, 310 Harbor Dr., Sausalito, CA 94965 (415)332-3500

  • Galilee Harbor, 300 Napa St., Sausalito, CA 94965 (415)332-8554

  • Kappas Marina, 100 Gate 6 Rd, Sausalito, CA 94965 (415)332-5510

  • Marina Plaza Yacht Harbor, 2320 Marinship Way, #160, Sausalito, CA 94965 (415)332-4723

  • Richardson Bay Marina, 100 Gate Six Road, Sausalito, CA 94965 (415)332-5510

  • Sausalito Marine Harbor, 225 Locust Street, Sausalito, CA 94965 (415)332-3100

  • Sausalito Yacht Harbor, 501 Humboldt Ave, Sausalito, CA 94965 (415)332-5000

  • Schoonmaker Point Marina, 85 Liberty Ship Way, #205, Sausalito, CA 94965 (415)331-5550

  • Waldo Point Marina, the largest houseboat marina in Sausalito, California, (415)332-6220








    • Download a map of the Floating Homes Docks of Kappas and Waldo Point Harbor
    See more floating homes and houseboats in Canada