Los Angeles houseboat comparison: A look at the vessels now on the market

Finding a place to live in a city as pricey as Los Angeles can be tricky, and homebuyers often have to get creative in order to stay on budget. One of the simplest ways to save money is to simply forego the luxury of land beneath a residence and shack up on the open water.

Houseboat living isn’t for everyone, of course, and in the LA area it can be quite difficult to find the dock space. But if you’re lucky enough to live aboard a liveaboard, you can sure save a lot on those mortgage payments.

Here’s a sampling of some of the floating homes for sale around Los Angeles.

↑This 1975 trawler is moored at the Pacific Corinthian Marina in Oxnard and comes with a valuable liveaboard slip, making the vessel’s transition from boat to house boat a lot smoother for potential buyers. Asking price is $30,000, but the seller will apparently consider trades for cars, motorcycles, or vintage guitars.

↑This airy house boat is currently docked in Marina del Rey, and if it could stay there, it would be among the best deals in the area. Sadly, the boat must be moved and finding a new place for it around Los Angeles could be tricky. But the light-filled vessel, built in 2007, still has a lot going for it, including a spacious bathroom and multiple seating decks. Asking price is $35,000.

↑Here’s another vessel that comes with a liveaboard slip, good for a spot on the Santa Barbara Waterfront. The 1999 yacht has two bedrooms, two half-baths, and a shower. There’s also a full kitchen with a gas stove and refrigerator. Asking price is $261,150.

↑It’s not quite clear whether the Mei Wen Ti (as this Chinese-made vessel is known) comes with a liveaboard slip for Wilmington Harbor, where it’s now docked. But with a vessel like this, does it really matter? Styled after the junks of old, the boat features a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and new deck furniture. Asking price is $95,000.

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