We Built a Floating House Boat from Scratch!

Help us name the floating cabin!!!!
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Our Journey! How did we get here?
In the winter of 2019 we moved in to our self built van full time to begin living, working and travelling Canada. We quickly fell in love with chasing our dreams of adventuring off the beaten path, living off grid and being self sustaining. We drove our van thousands of miles through various countries-Canada, USA, Mexico & Guatemala. All of which we documented here on our channel, be sure to check that out! After many years on the open road we found ourselves 15 acres of remote woods of Canada where we are building a homestead and renovating our fully off the grid cabin. We are diving into this chapter of our lives in no experience, we're so happy we can bring you all along as we learn to do it all with our own two hands. Thank you for being here with us for cabin life, van life and all the in between!
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3+ Years of Van life with 2 dogs
Off- Grid Living at our Cabin in the woods
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[@Vanwives]

OK what do we name this floating raft tiny cabin????? This is such a FUN build! Would you sleep in the middle of the lake in here??? 👀🌊💛

[@johnperillo3773]

La casa de agua

[@GirloftheValley-]

"Bob" obs!

[@lloydbaker7104]

Easy, way to easy "The Pack House"

[@Vanwives]

@@johnperillo3773Hey John, that covers it. 😊🐶

[@AbilityToBeAwesome]

Number 1. I vote you need a community of 5 of these buddies on that lake 😂

[@tammyslater5908]

Name for tiny home … The Lily Pad ☺️

[@jodiewilcox6772]

Brilliant suggestion!

[@tammyslater5908]

@@jodiewilcox6772 😁

[@williamstefanelli4334]

That would be a great name!

[@naturalist7022]

Love it!

[@clvsterfvckofwhatthefvck7981]

I thought I liked mine but love your name idea!

[@rgp6570]

Houseboat is a great idea! But you now have an important consideration: Affect of the wind on the cabin when anchored and when underway. Now that you are scaling-up from a raft to a houseboat, there are more things to think about: - You will need a proper anchor (and maybe a mooring ball) that the houseboat can "swing" on. If an anchor, you will need to know how to "set anchor" and "take up anchor". Scenario: you are asleep in the houseboat, middle of the night, the wind comes up, your houseboat walls act like big sails, and your houseboat drags anchor. You are on a lake, not the end of the world, but you may find yourself crunching into a rock or getting stuck in sediment in the shallows. Not the best. - Once you have the houseboat anchored where you want it, you use another boat / canoe to commute to and from the the wharf and the houseboat. Gives you way more options if the anchor drags. Also, keep life jackets on board in case you do get stuck and you need to swim away back to the wharf. - Your trolling motor may not be powerful enough to maintain headway and steerage in a strong breeze or wind. Scenario: a storm front is coming, and you want to move to a secure anchorage or to your floating wharf. The winds are gusty and you cannot make headway or steer, and the houseboat keeps turning in a direction you don't want to go. - I recommend you move your trolling motor from the "back" of the boat to the front so that you are "pulling" the houseboat house rather than pushing it. This gives you much better visibility, and if the wind swings the raft like a windvane, you can adjust the direction of your motor to compensate and "crab" sideways a bit to get where you want to go. - Regardless, you may need a more powerful trolling motor to move that additional weight and overcome the drag of the wind on the walls. You should test that a bit. Just want you to be safe and in control of your circumstances. Luv yuz and yer girls. Rp

[@celinel9750]

I second all of this and add paddle in case the motor doesn't work or is not strong enaugh.

[@Vanwives]

This is all so helpful!! I will be screenshotting this and sharing it all with jazzy tonight. Appreciate you tuning in, spreading love and sharing your knowledge. Have a great week 💛

[@ladikmk]

@@celinel9750 More than one paddle; needs to be two good strong solid wood paddles at least - one to paddle on each side or else you're going round in a circle. And do like my Dad did for us - drill a hole in the handle end & put marine rope thru it in a loop so you can put your wrist through it for security. Life jackets and also a life ring mounted to post in case of emergency.

[@TropicalParadisebyLisaLisa]

Good advice

[@celinel9750]

@@ladikmk Sorry my english is not that good, I defetetly mean 2 of them loll

[@macdaddy-98]

Ahh it’s so cute and can’t wait for the rest of the build!! I think the perfect name for this raft cabin is THE PACK SHACK!!!

[@aliciarecinto]

This is the only vlog I'm watching with a smile on my face. Your positivity is contagious. Love you ladies.

[@Vanwives]

Awe Alicia, how kind of you to share with us. Sending love back from the pack. 💛🐶

[@AlanCampbell-bo5ej]

Gratitude for the uplifting content, your unwavering dedication doesn't go unnoticed.

[@Vanwives]

We appreciate your support and confidence in us. Grateful to have you in our pack.😊🐶

[@petervandergugten]

Hello Ladies I was born on a houseboat and spent my childhood there I thought it was a shame that we moved to a permanent home 2 years ago I was able to buy the houseboat back, an I renovating and modernizing for the future (Solar panels,electric motor etc,) Hope that you will have as much fun with it as I did in my youth and later whan the renovation is complete Have FUN and be SAVE

[@sayitaintsl0w]

Hammocks on this floating beauty will be key. There’s nothing like the rocking of vessel, hearing the water and swinging in the breeze while sleeping in a cozy bag.

[@Vanwives]

Ugh that’s sounds perfect!!!!💛

[@orlinriggins4795]

You could call the raft cabin, THE Pack House! I love watching you guys every week, I never know what you might be doing or building. You should be pretty proud of the acomplishments you have made. There are a few projects you have done that I wouldn't try. Keep up the fantastic projects.

[@riff2072]

Big news with Tal & Mads. And thanks Pack for introducing me to their channel.

[@Vanwives]

awwww we’re so happy for them 🥹😭💛

[@saner6888]

Sure I’d stay on the “bobbing bunkie” till the snow flies🥰 coolest project ever!!👍🏼

[@Vanwives]

The name is so fun!!We loved building this floating tiny home. 3rd part coming soon 👀💛

[@42photo]

I enjoy watching your videos during breaks at work. Your genuine happiness reflects in all of the projects that you take on. Of course we get to see mainly the smiles and "good times". Thank you for showing a disturbed world that happiness is your own life decision.

[@marche49]

You both are so inventive!Not a lazy bone in your bodies. Amazing cabin that can be enjoyed for years to come.Thank you for sharing these fantastic projects. Looking forward to seeing you next week!💛💛🐾🐾

[@jimmyjenkins9240]

Crystal! The woman who would n.o.t. get on a roof for love nor money! Now, she’s layin’ around getting a roofer’s tan while her gopher fetches materials! I love the idea of, and the construction process of this cabin. You two are rockin’ it!

[@smjnurse1]

I’m so happy that you did no harm to the tiny snake! I love snakes too! I live in the so cal desert and really enjoy finding them around our yard. Such a misunderstood reptile.

[@kimhadley]

I live on a boat and the best tool ever is a big magnet on the end of a rope, for retrieving all those tools that fall in the water!

[@michaelwilliams7481]

One word to describe you two, determination. Houseboat I thought it was going to be, and what a strong build you are building, Your raft shouldn't have any problem supporting it. Leftover roofing saved some of the expenditure for you. Well worth waiting for, love from Mike. ❤❤

[@Vanwives]

Right! We had the so much fun doing this project! Glad you enjoy it too 💛

[@julieholcombe7422]

My hubby uses screws on most everything he builds for that very reason! I love ❤ LOVE ❤ this project! Cant wsit to see it finished and YES, I would for sure stay in it! ❤️🐾🐾❤️

[@julierosa7239]

Yes, I would live on it! During summer only of course. Build a stilt( tree ) house in Mexico. Don’t forget your anchors for the floating cabin and a bell.

[@marcialovejoy9926]

To Crystal and Jaz you rock. You figure out a project and you do it. Just proves when you set your mind to something you can do it. To your friends Tal and Mal who got engaged. Could that be around the corner for you to?

[@d1scr33t]

I recommend The Pack Shack,for a name.

[@kareywhit1]

We always believe in you all! The best Sunday mornings are spent with family!

[@reneelewis3762]

I agree! “The Pack Shack”. My grandpa made one of these for his pond in Michigan. Inside he put a removable floor space to ice fish in the winter! It was the best, we would climb on the roof and have cannon ball competitions in the summer! There was also a huge bass called “Sam” that everyone would try to catch. I wish I lived closer!

[@Erika-gm2tf]

Love the idea of winterizing the cabin and ice fishing!

[@Vanwives]

We love the name the Pack Shack! Thanks for sharing your memories with us. 😊🐶

[@gthekid08]

Coffee and Vanwives. Perfect combo! Will think of name.

[@Vanwives]

Happy to have you with us. Please share when you think of a name. 😊🐶

[@debbiegordon7622]

Yes Jasmine and Crystal I believe in you..There isn't anything you both can't do..that floating tiny home is perfect

[@ronparis6393]

You two never cease to amaze me! What a wonderful job and the fact that you will have a guest book for those who try it out is the icing on the cake. Take your hats off Ladies!!!

[@shelleymalone4427]

You two never cease to amaze me and to make me laugh. Best idea ever!

[@iirftf.ipoiiytrwqdfgcgcjjk2790]

Well my husband and I live in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia that shouldn’t be a long drive to the floating cabin. What a great job you are doing 👍👍

[@sherrywisler3718]

The time with you girls goes by to quickly. Can’t wait to see the finished floating tiny house.

[@VanLifewithSolstice]

Oh my gosh!!! Why does the algorithm not give you more views. You guys are my favorite. You keep building things that I have only dreamed of building. So freaking cool!!! I'm just imagining being rocked to sleep inside that cabin.

[@user-zr1ij2tm6u]

yes...Ithink your tiny house is looking awesome....You 2 are something else...Theres nothing you girls will not tackle....Stay safe you all and see you on the next one....Love to you all.

[@marksnyder8697]

Need to calk around the bottom outside and probably inside to keep water from seeping under, and getting in your house.

[@monicasgh68]

That will be so fun to take the tiny house raft out for a weekend getaway. I was thinking about a name and thought of Jade (Ja for Jazmin and jade is a beautiful gem like a crystal). Or the Crysade. You probably noticed i like naming things with a combo of the couples name lol. But whatever name you call her will be perfect!

[@jackeewhiteaker9894]

I absolutely love the floating tiny house. You guys keep me amazed every video. ❤

[@Vanwives]

Awe thank you Jackee! Appreciate you being here with us each Sunday 💛💛

[@jake-hy2zb]

There are so many great names suggested, you will definitely find the right one. I was thinking while watching, as I have before, editing your videos must be so much fun. It is tedious and frustrating at times but you young ladies must make it fun with lots of laughs, and a bit of wine, "We did that"! "I can't believe YOU did that"! "I didn't do that, yes YOU did"!!!!!! ❤❤

[@struan7947]

Love the tiny raft cabin, what great idea and what a satisfying job to do 🙌 I imagine staying there would be very cosy, like a gentle hug, it would feel safe and calming 😊 Good job yet again you two, can’t wait to see it finished 👍

[@stephenkennedy7931]

That little house is going to be amazing. God Bless from your Canadian Friend.

[@spiritjourneyme]

You guys are chock full of ingenious ideas, now this, Floatcasa.

[@Vanwives]

Thanks for the kudos. 😊🐶

[@tanyaAR1166]

Whaaaa?!?! You ladies are Superwomen! Can’t wait to see the finished project! Love y’all!

[@melvyngardner2262]

I live on a boat and to avoid having to replace tools lost overboard, I ensure they are tethered, or for small items, attached by a line to a float. An empty water bottle suffices for a float. A powerful magnet and a long boat hook are good for the recovery of those items that do take a swim.

[@barrywhitlock141]

The Raft is looking so good, will you be naming it The Pack raft? you girls are the most creative in everything you do. this is why I love watching you.

[@Vanwives]

Awe thanks Barry. We are happy to have you in our pack. The Pack Raft seems the most fitting!!!!

[@bryans8656]

What a fun project to enjoy my morning coffee with!

[@Vanwives]

We sure did have some good fun with this project!🤩🐶

[@sharondoan1447]

I believe in you because when you don’t get it absolutely right, you fix it! And! You never pretend you are perfect at any project you tackle. You have developed a huge base of home renovation and off grid living knowledge while remaining humble. You ladies have my admiration.

[@berniesenske994]

You beautiful ladies make my Sunday morning so enjoyable. YES, that includes Bella & Izzy too 😄 Your raft is coming together so well. It was fun seeing Crystal a bit queasy; it reminds me being on a cruise ship so many years ago 🤢 Can't wait to see the rest of the build. (and like you, I'm so happy for Tal & Mads too) Love all 4 of you and look forward to the rest of the story. Bernie ❤

[@sailingtootsiemarie]

Great job! We live on a sailboat and love seeing all the boat names. We have a suggestion for you… S.S Cabin Fever Don’t forget to have a boat naming ceremony!

[@Vanwives]

How fun for you to live on a sailboat. We would love to try that someday! Thanks for the name, we love it. Boating ceremony will be great fun! Thanks for the reminder 💛👀

[@bethb7965]

Yes, christen it with a bottle of champagne 🍾 ❣️

[@theresarogers5002]

Yes, name it The Pack House!

[@Vanwives]

Wowee we love that name! 😊🐶

[@anneonimouse]

@@Vanwives…or The Pack Shack 😊

[@toddcampbell4079]

You girls need your own DIY show. You would kill it.

[@Pinkshenanigans]

You guys make the coolest stuff! Living your best lives!

[@lukemn29]

I guess one of the advantages to having a floating home is no lawn to mow.

[@Vanwives]

So true!🤩🐶

[@sherrymason7211]

If it's rats that's eating them, buy some jiffy honey flavor cornbread mix and use a box with half that baking soda dry. Put out and they eat and expire. They can't burp/ fart so this actually works! Has to be the honey flavor.

[@oliveoyl1802]

😢

[@moavdi756]

YAAAAAAY!!! I Missed U last Sunday. Phil 😼😾was grumpy all day. He NEEDS his Pack Time 🐾. Have a great week! XOXO 💋 Phil & Mo❤

[@brendacartee3879]

I believe you can do anything you choose to do. You guys have so many skills. I love watching you guys and surprise us with new projects!❤️❤️🐶🐾🐾❤️

[@Vanwives]

Thanks Brenda. We are grateful to have you with us following our journey. 💛🐾

[@kerryedgell8951]

Wow girls! One surprise after another. Make me want to book a flight just to come and see the floating cabin. Can't wait for the reveal...🇦🇺💗😀😛

[@Vanwives]

Thanks! We really had the most fun building this floating raft! 😊🐶

[@sherylmerritt2650]

I love the shout out to the Perkins Brothers. I quite often point people in their direction if they are trying to build something. Watching them is fascinating.

[@angiecray783]

My dad was a carpenter & I love your builds👍 Happy memories for me & I really enjoy your videos.

[@rommelbillman2872]

I just adore you two gals. Every Sunday you two just amaze me with all you do. I can’t wait for next Sunday to see how far the mini cabin has come along. Sending you lots of Hugs & Love from Michigan. 🥰 May your week be filled with abundant blessings.

[@Ray-ek6oc]

Great job ladies. Take care and be safe.

[@jamessawyer4971]

What a perfect idea to build a tiny house on the party barge !!!! I love it !! Even more is the fact that I love watching you 2 doing your stuff under the watchful eyes of the world famous Bella and Izzy. I love it when they do their inspection of everything. I trust you girls to come up with the perfect name !!! As usual another wonderful video !!!! Peace and love from Salem, Oregon. PAWS UP FOREVER !!!!!!

[@terrigoodheart7605]

You guys are so expert builders by now. Perfect little cabin on the water. Can't wait for the next video.🏠💜💚💛❤️🧡

[@josephinelawlor1407]

What a cool idea, I'd call it "The Pack Shack"😅

[@GreenheartGal]

❤ So cool! Maybe add a gutter to protect the captain, if you get caught out in the rain! I love this build. I would definitely sleep on it!

[@amymitchell5042]

Love this!!! Always enjoy watching!!!

[@sherrywisler3718]

You two never cease to amaze me. You make my Sundays. I’m not sure I could sleep out on the lake, but I can’t wait to see your first night on the lake.

[@kensage5947]

I am so impressed with you guys. You have come so far. If I were your parents I would be so proud of you both.

[@Stoney_Snark]

Amazing, a great idea, and you never fail to impress!! Thanks and happy Sunday!! Casa Agua is my suggestion.

[@thegdphrase]

Love this new project, If I may suggest a name, it will be The IzzyBella Raft in honor of those 2 daughters of yours ❤

[@raktoda707]

This is so clever,and well designed...you are getting lots of great advice from followers,peers.Kudos and much respect.

[@Vanwives]

Thank you for sharing you kind comments. 😊🐶

[@TheKindredTrucker]

I love this project SO MUCH!! And I would TOTALLY stay a night there if I could. You ladies are unstoppable, I love all that you do!!🙌❤

[@michaelburke9153]

Good lookin' tiny cabin ya'll. Can't wait for the finishing touches.

[@espnmk]

Bella and Izzy have correct ruff! ruff! ruff! Thank you Pack for Sharing... That floating Deck is going to be the spot this Summer!

[@Vanwives]

Summer memories made on the floating cabin. 😊🐾

[@marisaconner628]

The Pack Raft Shack…so adorable!

[@CarolP-uk]

You guys are truly amazing. What a fantastic idea, it looks amazing 👏🏻👏🏻 Love all the amazing and useful advise so many people have given you. Gotta be safe as well as have fun 👍🏻😀

[@bloomsum]

I feel like I am watching the ghosts of "Fried Green Tomatoes", which is an absolute thrill for me, as this show is so Canadian I could die. Hugs.

[@paulettepickering1880]

Fabulous!!! Just watched some remodels of Tiny House Boats along the Tennessee River! How cool!!! 😎 jasmine good save on climbing the ladder , thought for sure you were going backwards into the water!!!💦 lol

[@yvonnewhitfield5425]

Wow! Incredible girls, I absolutely love your floating tiny house, a great vanwives retreat 😊

[@jimjasper9314]

The Rosie P (Rosie the raft plus the pirate nod). Love it

[@shawnasnow4011]

NGL, instant staying there is now on my bucket list. This is so sick! Good work! 😂😂😂 Jazzz @ 3:17 just a little hangry. Normally the other way around too which makes it funnier. Kinda liking The Pack Raft/Shack

[@GloriaBurke2011]

I was away from KZbin for a while and coming back and see you building again it’s awesome!!! ❤❤

[@Vanwives]

Welcome back Gloria, happy to have you with us. 💛🐶

[@meganwagner9295]

You guys are so awesome! You both amaze me. Thanks for all the videos. I love them 😘😘😘😘

[@EmergingParadise]

A bed with a canopy would be cool, instead of cabin. It could have rainproof top with net siding for bugs. Optional detachable tarp siding could be stored under bed. This would open deck space and make it easier to navigate & explore.

[@DeborahVerret-yp9fp]

Love the way you ladies stay so busy building beautiful things. Keep up the good works!

[@kathrynbracht8398]

What an awesome project! You could call your tiny houseboat The Bluenoser 🤣🤣

[@RenaissanceWoman00]

Love it!! How about the Floating Fancy Nancy? My wife and I just bought a mint-condition Westy. Time for a road trip from the west coast of BC to ...wherever your floating cabin is! Yeah!!! Well done, gals! You are inspiring!

[@0neso]

You girls are SO cool I love and enjoy watching you so much! Super inspiring and contagious energy ❤❤❤❤

[@cecileescure3191]

It looks so awesome ! 👍👍👍

[@1970jonmark]

Looks lovely.

[@rondahoward5341]

Y’all are killing it! I cannot wait for this!

[@suepersinger1728]

Great video. You’re going to have so much fun when your floating home is complete. I can’t wait to see the finished tiny home. You guys are a great team. Team work makes the dream work!! Well done ladies. ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@SisterSherryDoingStuff]

I'm here for the giggles - and laughter 😂😂😂

[@stevemerrick102]

god how confident and fast you are now days with all your construction how far you two have come !!!

[@Vanwives]

Awe thanks Steve experience sure helps. 😊🐶

[@arathipradeep]

Yeeaaaaaaahhhh🎉🎉 i have been waiting for your video ❤ thankyou ❤️🦋

[@linhdasagen6498]

Oh my word!! You guys kick ass! Looks great

[@cliffscuts5948]

Perfect place to enjoy the summer, falling asleep to the gentle rock of the waves is a great thing to do. great job!! The sailor in me says be mindful of where you put the weight on your raft I don't you want to list to one side. Im sure you will figure it out!!

[@nikkibiggercreative1921]

Looks so good!!!

[@jillmissig9670]

Happy Sunday ladies ! ☀️🐾 love your idea if naming it The Pack Shack

[@susanbernard343]

The tiny cabin is so cute, can't wait to see the finished product ❤

[@toddtrierweiler958]

Welcome back I have missed you both ❤❤ and the pack 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Henri377]

Hi! Your editing is just top shelf ! Thank you for your effort! ❤❤

[@stephentranter2528]

fyi I believe the screws go in the top of the ridges for the roofing steel, and in the shallow section for the walls. Also a steel cutting blade on the circular saw is much easier to cut it, turning it over for a flat surface (just make sure you wipe off any shavings) You can also cut multiple sheets at once clamping it.

[@Vanwives]

Thanks for the tip with the circular saw, would you need to change the blade to be backwards? Nice eye about the screws in Canada as per the manufacturer we need to put the screws here instead.

[@marilynyurchick2514]

There is nothing that you ladies can't do! Just love you two and love watching everything that you accomplish. Can't wait for the next video!❤️❤️👍👍

[@Vanwives]

Thanks for having great confidence in us Marilyn. We are happy to have you in our pack. 💛🐶