What it REALLY Cost to Build My DREAM House Boat

Curious about the cost of living on a houseboat? Join me as I break down the expenses and share my personal experience of living on a boat. From dockage fees to fuel costs, we'll cover it all in this eye-opening video. Don't forget to subscribe for more boat life content!
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What it REALLY Cost to Build My DREAM House Boat
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[@tammytsuchiyama8858]

Some people have nothing to do but hate. Anyone who knows you knows you understand the difference between a house boat and a cabin cruiser. This person just had nothing better to say. 😂 Thanks for your time and video. Be safe and enjoy your summer on YOUR HOUSE BOAT!!!!❤

[@BrandonGross]

Hahah exactly! Thank you!

[@vice4134]

Thanks for the breakdown costs. I didn't realize how expensive it can get. Wow!

[@BrandonGross]

It adds up quick!

[@Floatdude86]

Have 23' cuddy cabin, mercruiser 5.0 which is smaller that yours, but faster and easier to move with Toyota Tundra V8 on a boat trailer. Repairs are something I have to, like a pair of exhausted manifolds every fews years. Parked at home, buffed, fixed at the work shop.

[@BrandonGross]

In a perfect world I’d have a smaller more trailerable boat and this one as well

[@taurota1554]

Thanks for sharing and taking us along

[@MrPants1970]

I had a boat very similar to yours in the UK, very similar costs except the fuel it’s much more here. Owning a boat is like standing in a cold shower, tearing up pound notes, or in your case dollars ! What finally ended my boating days was leaking intercoolers and both legs needed a full gear box rebuild, cost me thousands and thousands to sort out. The good news was, like you I done a lot of work on it, bought it for £47k and 3 years later sold for £56k, if you buy older like yours and look after it you can make, but will never make back the running costs.

[@BrandonGross]

Yeah as long as you do your research and be patient. It’s possible to not lose tons of money with boats.

[@NGU09513]

Ive been looking for someone that can break down the cost thank you

[@itsme_pmarie]

Brandon's like " yall, it's not that deep. I'm calling it house boat for the alg, you call it watchu want" 😂😂😂

[@BrandonGross]

Hahah for real!!

[@robertbarriger2596]

Thanks Brandon for the honest post. Good luck!

[@BrandonGross]

Thank you!

[@pamelataylor412]

Thanks for the info. I was curious about it.

[@BrandonGross]

Of course!

[@luckypatchtoo6903]

thankyou for being real in the vids enjoying this series of the boat love the vids

[@BrandonGross]

Glad you like them!

[@johnbates1871]

Nice house boat love it

[@caughtafaygo]

Cool breakdown 🤙

[@kylegendron2861]

Right on, love the honest content and have that same passion for being by the water. If you live in it, it's your house. and if it's floatin' your boatin'. That's a house boat to me. I'm following along from the Chesapeake homie!

[@BrandonGross]

Haha thank you!! Would love to take her out to the Chesapeake at some point

[@terenceseymour-tf8rptassie725]

The cost of the boat should also include the sound system

[@BrandonGross]

It does

[@redhelmetmann]

Cool break down bro 💪🏼

[@BrandonGross]

Thank you! 🤘🏻

[@DavidJones-kt2cn]

Liked the video, Keep them coming!!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@BrandonGross]

More to come!! Anything specific you wanna see?

[@wirkarens2]

Love watching your videos Brandon. Great information for owing a boat. I have been watching you for a while now. When my dad was alive he owned sailboats and that was expensive too. Love your videos and content Brandon❤❤❤❤

[@BrandonGross]

Thank you for the support!!

[@Zeke2575]

Thanks bud. I was curious about the costs

[@BrandonGross]

Any time!

[@stevebryan5779]

Enjoyed your videos--thanks

[@BrandonGross]

Thanks for watching!

[@enjoylife7030]

I think you have done pretty well with the new digs and you have a lovely Express Cruiser to enjoy all summer on the water. Great time in your life to live on a boat, I surely missed my opportunity. Have a great summer.

[@BrandonGross]

Thank you!!

[@jboi6049]

Great series. Get that boat down to FL, would make great content with all the things to do down there. If you do, talk to your insurance company first because they'll want to know where it is during hurricane season. Weather permitting, it's seaworthy enough for a crossing to the Bahamas.

[@k2crasher]

Doesn't have the fuel range to make it to the Bahamas, unless he went to Bimini

[@jboi6049]

@@k2crasher Fuel bags. West End (done that crossing before) or Bimini like you said. He could get it done!

[@BrandonGross]

That would be wild!! I would love to

[@nikkithomason1290]

Loving the boat vids. I am happy to see you happy and relaxed! Do you miss traveling the way you used to?

[@BrandonGross]

Thanks!! And yes sometimes I do miss traveling around a lot. Happy being in one place right now though

[@whitevanman9500]

Great video Brandon, it explains a lot I use my van in the UK through the summer then spend the winter in cheaper warmer climates it just makes financial sense but also it's a much better lifestyle... Well done bloke Love the vids Love your work 👍

[@BrandonGross]

Thanks!! Yeah that’s the way to do it!

[@poponthedock9667]

thanks for the break down

[@BrandonGross]

Thanks for watching 🙌🏻

[@alvinmousseau1100]

Awesome video

[@BrandonGross]

Thanks!

[@LiveSnowboardVideos]

Quick tip from someone with a pretty big boat as well... if your lugging around 100+ gallons of gas, that's a lot of needless weight that you may not need at the moment, therefore you are burning more fuel to get around, lugging around all that weight. (Same with fresh water tank... doesn't need to be full of you're hooked up to the dock/returning to the dock anyway) If your going far far, fill it up. If your just hanging around and taking for spins, have it between 1/3 and 1/2 a tank. Between leaving behind some of both your gas tank & fresh water tank you'll notice quite a bit of difference $ wise. Enjoy brotha !

[@BrandonGross]

Love that advice! I always keep the freshwater tank empty. But gas I may have to do exactly as you said!

[@JSurm]

Just wanted to say Hi man! We live in Pittsburgh but have a 26ft. 1988 Chris Craft cabin cruiser docked off of Lake Erie. It’s our 3rd year as boaters. Each year we learn and gain more wisdom on the boat life. We Pretty much drive 2hrs every weekend in the summer just to be up with the boat at the dock. The dock life alone is incredibly fun. It’s become our home away from home. And in the words of Jimmy Buffett…”You wonder why we ever go home” cheers mate 🤙🏻 love the vids

[@BrandonGross]

Wow that’s a big commute! I’m spoiled just waking up in mine haha

[@MIGUEL-qh7br]

Loved this video. I’m thinking about different options .

[@BrandonGross]

Let me know what you decide on!

[@ralphcox7128]

Keep up the good work

[@BrandonGross]

Thanks!

[@dougrima3216]

Okay, you got me with a mind, blown meme! I'm following you now after seeing two videos.

[@BrandonGross]

Haha thank you!

[@Andrew88340]

Would be cool to see you take the boat down to Florida! New to the channel and definitely hooked!

[@BrandonGross]

Thanks for joining! I’m going to keep reaching out to companies and hopefully get a sponsor. That trip would be 8-10k in fuel alone 😭

[@kimberlykirkland22]

Wow Brandon! I’m shocked at how much the fuel costs! And the other expenses too! I’m glad you have the means to do this! It’s definitely a unique way to live! The boat looks amazing as I’ve said before! I’m super proud of you for everything you’ve done and continue to do!! You’re absolutely awesome!!! 🤩❤️🥰 Much love!

[@BrandonGross]

Thank you so much!

[@ruby055]

I did exactly this but lived on a diesel trawler very long range and fuel efficient. I bought a used Nordic tug for just under 225k lived on it for 5 years from 2018 to 2022. I sold the boat for about 80% of what I paid in April. I spent 5 months in SC and 7 in New England and was living for about 12k a year in Marinas. No trailer. I work from home as a developer and saved over 500k in the time I did it. Good Luck! I just bought a slightly larger one that I rent out short term on Martha's Vineyard. It will pay for itself in 3 seasons. Cheers!

[@BrandonGross]

That’s amazing! You know how to do it!!

[@sandman4384]

Thanks this is good news thanks

[@victorjack5162]

Hi Brandon I just started watching your videos and I saw on this one you said you are getting 1 mile to the gallon you should be doing a lot better than that due to your boat having duo props witch is more fuel efficient have you checked your props to make sure that they are clocked correctly because that will make a very huge difference

[@BrandonGross]

I haven’t but from what I hear from other boat owners, 1mpg is pretty good for this size boat

[@igorciudin8049]

Nice houseboat, love it!

[@BrandonGross]

Thank you!

[@no_worries_van]

I am the same way, doing maintenance on my van and bus myself to save money, especially being a girl, lots of shops like to inflate the price because they don’t think I know anything but I do, plus I would rather do it myself when I hit the road.

[@BrandonGross]

Yeah it’s such a shame how much they take advantage of people

[@RebelCowboysRVs]

Down a river is cheap, up a river is expensive. Down a river, you can idle one engine for steering an let the current do the work. That assumes you are not in a hurry. An even up river, you can same money going slow. Planing is cheaper than not when you're in a hurry, but idle speed is usually even cheaper.

[@BrandonGross]

I could never travel that slow all the time lol I’d lose my mind

[@aarons.4906]

Great video bro thanks for the info. Living the good life, keep going man don't listen to the haters its just a stinky cologne.

[@BrandonGross]

Haha thank you!! I appreciate it

[@tristan.thompson2289]

Just letting you know the nautical term for “bottom paint” is anti fouling 😊

[@BrandonGross]

Haha I know I know.

[@earlcarroll9802]

Be great to see how it travels and the real range you get.

[@BrandonGross]

I’ll be filming a video about that soon!

[@DomTuff]

💯👊🏻

[@tomchan2901]

Your videos are interesting and entertaining! If I was in your situation, I would borrow or rent a (capable) truck from someone, and then simply transport your boat late at night, for obvious reasons. Also, I would make arrangements (in advance) for one (or more) storage places along your southern transport route, in order to keep your boat "out of sight" during the daylight hours. Good Luck!

[@BrandonGross]

Thank you! Haha exactly what I was thinking!

[@sts3427]

Darn, I was hoping for a winter series on the boat in the south.

[@BrandonGross]

That’s still a possibility!

[@SSully1976]

I want a houseboat , any kind will do 😊

[@MissMalikaA]

This would be my dream

[@The_Phill_A_Blunt]

An option would be float it south in stead of using fuel the whole way

[@FrancoA19833]

Maybe get a dinghy to save some money for local runs?

[@BrandonGross]

I’ve been contemplating that actually

[@dawnmcgregor2570]

❤

[@user-un5ch8hq1y]

💙💙💙

[@eddievlife]

Do you think a 27ft boat would be too small to do the same thing with? I've seen some that length with 1 motor and might be more easily transported and without the oversize load restrictions. I'm considering something like what you're doing. Also, I'm sure you've already addressed this but be sure to have multiple carbon monoxide detectors on board. I knew a couple guys that died on their cabin cruiser from running the generator.

[@BrandonGross]

No, 27 is plenty big! But all depends on your preferences. And yes I have numerous detectors in my boat!

[@curtis6615]

Hi Brandon love your content but I always wanted to ask -- Do you have a job or work of some kind that helps you to afford this life style and all your major purchases?

[@doctorkayak]

Exactly!

[@BrandonGross]

I have worked a ton since I was 15 years old and always invested my money wisely. Every bike, car, boat, house, was heavily researched to the extreme so that I knew I could make money reselling later. That helped a lot in life

[@curtis6615]

@@BrandonGross Thank you Brandon

[@kevinh891]

Actually it is an "Express Cruiser" as I understand it. But it is yours. Call it Barney if you want. I recommend, calling is "Das Boot" but that's just me.... I am planning a move to Florida. And am very much considering living on a boat. That is one of the reasons I am watching you. Learning as much as I can, from everywhere I can. Will let you know how it goes...

[@BrandonGross]

😂😂

[@JulieIreland]

Definitely a lifetime investment, but follow your passion!

[@michaelgilman7930]

Can you live on the boat when it’s pulled out of the water in the winter?

[@BrandonGross]

I guess technically I could. But I don’t really have any interest in that haha. All of the systems will be winterized at that point.

[@texascwby34]

I live fulltime on a 40 ft steel cruiser down in Belgium. My Cost in a month is about $ 70. My diesel burns 1.5 gallons per houre. It is a slow cruiser a 19 kph

[@BrandonGross]

Those are great numbers!

[@DGAF42069]

💜❤️

[@philipl2067]

We just came back from spending a few days on a house boat in Lake Powell. The views are spectacular. I always wanted to live part of the time on a boat, but how do you deal with the bugs, fleas, nats, ants, mosquito. The upper deck of our boat was infested by flying ants -- and it only took 20 mins between the time we docked and the ant swarm on the boat's upper deck and dropping on front of the boat. Maybe ocean marinas have less bugs than lakes?

[@BrandonGross]

Wow that sounds awful. We definitely don’t have that type of issue on the rivers where I live

[@alexp8924]

What's the boat model and how much did you pay for it? Did you consider getting a sail boat? Even if you don't want to use sails motoring it around is way cheaper and usually you get more for the money.

[@user-ir7fh1uv4v]

You ain’t going nearly as fast as a motorboat with a sailboat

[@alexp8924]

@@user-ir7fh1uv4v that is of course true.

[@godiskungen27]

Just get a extra motor say 30hp motor hang it behind use it to go slow saves lot money❤

[@beebop4333]

OBSERVATION...great vid. Curious, how much did the houseboat, van, ambulance, and rv cost all in compared to if you bought a house and that house equity value per year from the time you started this nomadic lifestyle?

[@BrandonGross]

Ohhh that would be a great comparison. I’ll have to look into it. So many variables though

[@ultimatetrashgamer8495]

I'm getting killed on insurance for my cabin cruiser, what company are you insuring with?

[@BrandonGross]

Gallagher Charter Lakes!

[@jamestaylor8860]

can you live on the boat during winter?

[@BrandonGross]

Not in Pittsburgh

[@Legalreaper]

If you buy another, consider registering it through the USCG. You then don't pay the normal tax; you pay in-leiu tax which is much less.

[@BrandonGross]

This one is coastguard registered !

[@BrandonGross]

This one is coastguard registered !

[@user-ir7fh1uv4v]

Is your Volvo Pentas twin charged?

[@jmp4real]

Would you ever consider doing The Great Loop?!

[@BrandonGross]

I would LOVE to do that. But the fuel cost would be way too much

[@jmp4real]

@@BrandonGross I’ll chip in!

[@BrandonGross]

@@jmp4real it would be around 30-40k in fuel 💀

[@Legalreaper]

You're kind of lucky on some costs: from NY to MO it cost me about $6k, then I put another $10k or so into sound and TV systems

[@BrandonGross]

Yeah. I live pretty far out here where it’s relatively cheap compared to most places

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Like they say, BOAT = Bust Out Another Thousand 😅 Thanks for the cost breakdown! 😎

[@BrandonGross]

So very true haha

[@shawnmiehm]

B-O-A-T BREAK OUT ANOTHER THOUSAND

[@BrandonGross]

Always haha

[@cleanpaws4805]

If you brought it to let’s say to Florida you wouldn’t have to do any winterization …

[@BrandonGross]

That sounds amazing haha but I also would have so many more issues from salt water

[@mattypurcell]

It's not a cabin cruiser it's technically a power cruiser... beautiful boat mate

[@macbook802]

Its not a house boat. Its called a cabin cruiser

[@neilolson7851]

Quick question why not put it in the ocean ??

[@BrandonGross]

Because the ocean is scary! 😂 but also the salt water just kills everything on a boat

[@neilolson7851]

@BrandonGross True makes for more maintenance that's for sure but the places you can go are endless bud ya know

[@neilolson7851]

@BrandonGross Definitely can't wait to see the adventures you do get into

[@MissMalikaA]

House and boat 🤯 😂

[@user-xp1uv5mm1q]

Why didn't you buy a sailing boat

[@tomchan2901]

You first option should be to get bids from USHIP...

[@BrandonGross]

They are TERRIBLE! Haha

[@FreezyAbitKT7A]

You could get more clicks if you called your cabin cruiser a Tiny House or a Casita. Those have been trending on YT for a long time. Can you add "abandoned" or "WW2" in the title somehow?

[@classiccarson9760]

Mini yacht may work

[@BrandonGross]

Honestly, great advice

[@matthewgarrison5251]

Going south you use the current only start 1 motor saves ton on fuel your a rookie for sure

[@BrandonGross]

I don’t want to travel 2,000 miles to the Gulf of Mexico cruising at 3mph haha

[@michaeljlink]

You're a trip bro... "That's not a house boat... you should google what a house boat is.." 🤣🤣🤣

[@bodieacreatureIII]

bois guys only

[@Shadytreemechanic77]

Smiles per gallon 😂

[@BrandonGross]

Exactly! All that matters haha

[@susanjohnson7182]

why not get a sail boat, if you like to travel.

[@BrandonGross]

I don’t think sailboats would work where I live

[@Thomas-ed6ci]

@@BrandonGross Not sure if you watch any content creators on KZbin but if you’re ever interested in sail boating check out, Sailing Parlay Revival. He purchased a hurricane damaged catamaran and has documented all the repairs he’s done to get it ready for circumnavigate the planet. It’s a great channel and think you’d find it useful if you ever do want to expand your sail boating knowledge. Take care, brotha and thanks for the great content.

[@doctorkayak]

@@BrandonGross What? No wind? LOL!

[@chrisdickenson1043]

Bs my friend built one super cheap

[@craigdarby9533]

That's not a houseboat.

[@BrandonGross]

I know. Trust me, I know. It's okay. It's gonna be okay.

[@doctorkayak]

First I want to mention that you neglected one very important part of boat ownership. You did the breakdown to give viewers and idea of what the costs are of boat ownership is. The #1 biggest cost of boat ownership is the loss of life. The water is a completely different world versus that of being a landlubber. Trip and fall on the ground, you might get a scrapped knee. Fall into the water and there is a high likelihood that you will not survive. So, the importance of lifesaving equipment is paramount! But if anyone is thinking about living on a boat, before you even pull the trigger on a boat they should take a U.S.P.S. (United States Power Squadron) boating course or the equivalency. For some reason, just about any schmuck can buy a boat, get it licensed and go out on the water without any education whatsoever. Now I want to have a little fun with you Brandon: Wow! I'm famous!!! I made it into your video! But it's not okay. Still not a houseboat! What is it that you don't understand? "Houseboat" is a loosely accepted term but a house is a fixed structure! You can build a house ON a boat but that just makes it a boat with a house on it. There really is no such thing as a "houseboat". It's a home-boat! A HOME can be a mobile home, a camper, a cardboard box or a hole in the ground for that matter. Boat + House does NOT = houseboat, PERIOD! {mind NOT blown} I don't like it and the tough luck is for you! Ten foot "beam"... duh... what does that mean? You think most people will know what "beam" means but they're not going to know what "cabin cruiser" means??? DUDE! So Einstein, whatcha gunna do when the water gets hard in the winter??? Float to the south?, Florida, Bahamas, Guatemala??? Nope, you're gonna put in storage and then what... Vanlife? Mom and Dad's house? I'm not sure what this channel is really about. Is it about how you make money being a content creator? Is it about how you can buy boats, storage trailers and vans and how you can travel while making money from your monetized endeavors? Is it about your extreme sports? I've lived on a boat, I've lived in a trailer I have lived on my 20 acre ranch. I have two "adult" children and four grandchildren. I have had the proverbial carpet RIPPED from underneath me and lost everything on a few occasions. Broken heart after broken heart, both indigent and well off. I've been shot at, I have hidden from the law, I have been the law. I have "done doors" and served subpoenas. I have been an entrepreneur, an entertainer and graced stages for many years. I have worked on tour with heavy metal bands. There isn't much I haven't not done. Why am I telling you all this? Do me a favor and just Google what a "houseboat" is. Take a look at the pictures and then ask me, do I think you have a houseboat? Yeah, I'm just busting your balls. Walk a hundred thousand miles in my shoes then you can show me the scars and tell me what it's like to live in a house or a van or a boat or a tent or on a cot in your friend's laundry room. Now that I am done busting your balls, you are 100% correct, living like you are living is not cheap. With your breakdown of everything you have spent and will continue to spend, you could certainly buy a home or rent an apartment and live just as comfortably but what you will not have are the wonderful experiences you are having. This is life brother! You get one and it looks like you are enjoying it.

[@BrandonGross]

I didn’t even read your whole comment but just know that I will be using the term houseboat as much as possible just in hopes to annoy you more 😂

[@killakilo60187]

The term houseboat drives me crazy but it is what it is because you would rather talk to the people that are stupid then talk to the people that know what's up

[@BrandonGross]

Just take a moment to think about your whole life and how minuscule the term I use to describe MY boat is.. does it really matter at all?? 😂

[@davestevens4263]

Dam , I couldn't & wouldn't pay them to winterize the boat ! Omg. $90 for the a/c there's nothing to winterize .... condensation off the evaporator, that just drains off . I need to get into that buisines.

[@BrandonGross]

Right?!