Do You Host Guests On A Boat? I Could Use Your Assistance ASAP!

[Rebecca181]

Dear Community,

I am meeting with the local Harbor Master next week to discuss the possibility of turning a sailboat I plan to buy into a part-time Airbnb. I would love to hear from anyone who is currently hosting guests on their boat. I would especially like to know how you ensure that guests do not break applicable 'house' and harbor rules. Also, I need to educate the Harbor Master committee about how Airbnb works and answer questions they may have, and address possible concerns; I know they may have concerns about key codes / gate codes being handed out to guests, for example. I am not able to host guests 'on the hook' - only at the live-in part of the dock (if they approve my request to host on my future boat). 

Hope to hear from you! Thanks!

[Emiel1]

hello @Rebecca181

There is some search possible on listing type:

https://www.airbnb.com/s/United-States?listing_types[]=8

:>)

[Pete28]

Not legal in Seattle from next year, check you STR regs. Other issues in general based on owning a boat 🙂

- hard to keep warm, probably not viable in winter - most boats leak to some degree and need bilge pump etc.

- very limited space

- few marinas allow legal live aboard without charging $$, and also cost of moorage

- need to pump out sewage

- lack of water / hot water (some boats req engine running to make hot water)

- power reqs (may need two 120v to run everything if it does have hot water heater)

- access and parking issues

[Matthew285]

@Pete28 is @Rebecca181's boat in Seattle?

I thought she was based out of Oregon...

[Pete28]

Ah - was discussing my own problems with boats 🙂 climate is similar though.

[Fred13]

@Rebecca181 I rent my 34ft Trawler, which is parked in a ~private~ dock ($200 a month, with power/water), at least until I get my Tour Operator's License (anytime) and then be running trips to the Belize Barrier Reef during the tourist season (November-May). So 6 months is parked (and rented) and 6 months be running tours. Yes, I realize I live where no one cares what you do, and you where everything is over regulated; two different worlds.

[Pete28]

A legal live aboard in Seattle would cost almost the same as a cheap apt - maybe $800-$1000 / month 😞 I wouldn't want to be paying that for that year round, and only a fool would want to stay on a boat when it's wet and cold outside so atleast here 6 months is not viable.

The final problem is Seattle will not license any STR in shoreline or on boats, so from next year Airbnb won't list it and you will be fined.

[Fred13]

I hear you Pete. I have a nice spread in Discovery Bay (between Port Townsend and Sequim,  Olympic Peninsula), and ran a big boat there for a while. So many 'issues', so short a season, in comparison to ~warm~ Belize. 

[Robin4]

@Rebecca181

Many hosts around the world do it but, by far the majority of those listings are 'static'. Are you suggesting you will be doing the same thing here, simply having it listed as a berthed live-in, or will the opportunity to sail be involved?

I don't think I would want to try what you wish to do in America, Rebecca.

Too many regulations, and a society that is simply too litigious....many more opportunities for problems on a boat, particularly a small one.

I have an interest  in a 65ft houseboat on the River Murray which I had intended to list on Airbnb, but the management company being used who specialise in river houseboat rentals is keeping it fully booked and the opportunity to list here has not offered itself.

I don't have to worry about security deposits (bonds) continuity of bookings or anything concerned with the river regulations, that is all taken care of which does take the lions share of the rental amount and being fully air conditioned, bookings are steady year round. Also this is in a river, not the ocean, and is more like a house than a boat. So the potential problems are reduced enormously. 

This was not a massive risk for me Rebecca but, I don't think I would be wanting to do what you are contemplating.

Cheers.....Rob

[Pete28]

Floating palace compared with a 32ft boat !

I do see some houseboats on Airbnb in Seattle, but like yours, they are designed for living in not taking out on the water.

[Robin4]

@Pete28

Oh don't get me wrong Pete, people hire these boats to take out on the river. There are anchorages and little beaches all along the river over it's 2,000 Km length and the main reason for hiring a houseboat is to get away from it all with a few friends into your own little piece of tranquility. Would not be much of a rental market if they just sat at the pier!

Ours has a couple of Honda BF90s (90hp) 4 stroke outboards powering it, which gets it along at about 4 knotts pretty easily. Fuel capacity is 300 litres and Hirers are expected to bring the boat back full. Any shortfall is charged for and comes out of the bond.

Cheers......Rob

[Rebecca181]

@Pete28 @Matthew285 @Fred13 @Robin4 @Emiel1 Thank you all SO MUCH for your timely feedback and informative responses. I am (possibly) pursuing this venture with a friend; he is very influential with the harbor commission and they are open to our ideas regarding an Airbnb. However, based on this feedback from you all, I think I need to nix the sailboat idea, and if we do this, we need to go with a large power-boat type of thing; there is a Chris Craft we were looking at, and it would seem that the roomier the better. I will find out how much it is to rent a berth, etc. I am thinking that perhaps my friend can go on this potentially expensive venture on his own, but I can assist with the design of the interior and serve as co-host, if the Harbor Master approves the part-time Airbnb and my friend decides to go with it. The harbor is right in the heart of the Old Town historical district so it is really ideal. Air conditioning never necessary but heat would be. Holding tank, pump out, etc, not really an issue (we can handle all that - I am experienced, had my own 30' sailboat in the Bay Area). 

Being armed with this information is very helpful. I think it may not be the right thing for me personally, but my friend has more financial leeway and he would also be using the boat for personal pleasure and he also can maintain the boat himself, he used to build and restore boats. We shall see what transpires. The meeting with the commission is next week. I'll report back to you here as things either collapse or further unfold!

[Kelly149]

I think this is the scenario that the best ABBs are be based on " using the boat for personal pleasure and he also can maintain the boat himself". @Rebecca181

If he enjoys the boat but the occassional rental helps offset costs then that is a good plan. Also, an ABB that allows a guest to experience something that they likely won't be able to do in 'regular life' is ideal too. If the abb is just another hotel room, well, then it might as well be a hotel room. Good luck

[Rebecca181]

@Kelly149 Thank you for your supportive words. I believe it would be very popular, the harbor is right smack in the heart of the Florence's charming historical district. We shall see what unfolds. I'll report back here after the meeting with the Commissioners!

[Rebecca181]

@Robin4 That is a very handsome boat!!!