You can expect an average houseboat weight to be about 12,000 pounds (5,443 kg).
Houseboat weight and size ranges quite a bit with both very small and very large. It's difficult to get an accurate estimation on the average weight without doing research yourself based on what type of houseboat size you're looking for.
Not to mention, a wide range of houseboats are custom built or no information is listed by the manufacturer referring to the specific weight.
When looking for houseboats, the weight is listed as displacement. Displacement refers to the boat in the water, before it's loaded with gear and fuel. Package weight (if shown) includes the weight of the trailer, motor, batteries, and weight on the water.
5 Example Houseboat Weights
The following chart features example houseboat weights of specific models ranging from the lightest to heaviest used on the water. Additional details can be found on the manufacturer's websites. Here's the houseboat weight chart:
Houseboat Model | Displacement Weight |
|---|---|
Marinette 34" | 7,200 pounds (3,266 kg) |
Nautaline 33" | 11,500 pounds (5,216 kg) |
Gibson 30" | 12,000 pounds (5,443 kg) |
Aluminum Custom 60" | 48,000 pounds (21,772 kg) |
Fiberglass Custom 60" | 65,000 pounds (29,484 kg) |
Additional Weight and Trailer Options
In terms of transporting your houseboat, many people use a houseboat transport service. These services will hitch and transport your houseboat for you if you don't have the proper vehicle for towing or the time.
However, if your houseboat is under 12,000 pounds (5,443 kg), then you may be able to easily tow your boat with the right equipment.
Make sure to check your vehicle's towing capacity. This can be found in your owner's manual or the manufacturer's website as your gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
The weight of fuel is about 6.3 (2.9 kg) pounds per gallon of gas. Fuel tanks on houseboats average at about 5 to 10 gallons. When considering the weight of fuel, you can expect on average a full tank of gas to add 47 pounds (21 kg).
Conclusion
Houseboats provide a fun mode of transportation on many different areas of water. Each type also comes with it's own weights based on it's size and use.
It's important to know the correct weight when looking to tow and transport your houseboat. If you're unsure and want specific weights, you can always check the manufacture's website or go to a local cat scale to get a more accurate weight.