New Havana live-aboard

Living on board is a lifestyle that many boating enthusiasts dream about -- but never achieve.

Cost is an important issue; a boat large enough for comfort and space is surely to cost an arm and a leg.

Havana Houseboats on Queensland’s Gold Coast has solved both the space and cost issues with the launch of its latest model, the F45. Together with the new owners, Havana’s managing director Matt Duncan developed a package which has put a spacious new two-cabin boat -- virtually a floating apartment -- on the water for less than $150,000.

The key to keeping cost down is that Havana finished the new boat to lock-up stage while  owners Shayne and Pauline will complete the interior fitout as finances allow. Just a few weeks after launch, it is already well enough advanced for them to move on board at a Gold Coast marina.

The Havana F45 includes a large master stateroom that runs half the length of the boat on the starboard side with enough wardrobe space for even the most fashion conscious. The second double cabin on the port side is only slightly more modest in size.

The boat includes all the conveniences of a modern apartment, including a laundry, plenty of storage for linen and supplies, an apartment-size kitchen (galley) forward with open-plan dining/lounge space. And views over the water and marina.

The Havana F45 is built with two fibreglass hulls, each with three watertight compartments and collision bulkheads forward. Each compartment is fitted with a large gulper bilge pump. The centre section of each hull holds 1,200-litre water tanks.

Fuel and waste tanks are also included, with an electric marine toilet and ‘C’ Grade toilet treatment system. The package also includes hot and cold fresh water pumps, waste tank discharge pump and has all deck fillers, skin fittings and mains water hook-up all ready to go. Even 12-volt LED lighting, battery and charger are included.

The enclosed cabin area is a fibreglass skin over aluminium frame.

The boat is 13.7 metres long overall with the cabin space measuring 10 metres. That leaves plenty of outdoor entertaining space on fore and aft decks and the Fowlers can throw a big party on the massive upper deck space covering the entire roof, accessed by moulded a staircase that runs up from the aft deck.

With careful time and budget control, Shayne and Pauline expect to spend 12 months completing the fitout.

"Then we can relax, put our feet up and watch the water lap under us," says Shayne.