LIVING the DREAM

Originally named Shalimar (1992), then Voyager, then Canadian Club and now Living the Dream. The reason for sharing the history is to indicate that Living the Dream was very well built and was a leading houseboat of its time in the early 1990’s with the modern layout. A saying we have is, she has good bones.

Having said this, and to be straight with you, Living the Dream is due for a Birthday and consequently is priced accordingly.

If you purchased Living the Dream at its Asking Price and then spent around $200k to $250k on sensible upgrades you would have an excellent holiday home and not be over capitalized if she owed, you around $650k. Brought up to this standard there are houseboats that have sold recently for far more than this figure.

Suggestions for upgrades include recladding the external cladding and all eaves with composite aluminium.

Extend the rear deck by up to 9feet and then refit a 6feet wide hydraulic duckboard to keep within the 60feet in length. With the extension extend the rear deck side walls with glass & stainless steel trim. Replace the decking with Infinity Decking.

Install a rear Thruster Unit; include a pontoon storage compartment for all the on-water toys.

On the First Storey Level at the rear, extend the deck to maintain the in-situ lines of the houseboat. This will enable a larger Al Fresco area. Extend the side walls with glass and stainless steel trim. Instal rear stacker doors leaving a rear external area open to the rear stainless steel guardrails. Importantly, this will create a second all year-round entertainment/relaxation space for the other generation and can be used whatever the weather presents.

The front of the first storey level is wasted space; suggest moving the Master Bedroom forward and include an ensuite. The former Master Bedroom can be reconfigured to provide another bedroom and a passageway, most probably a bunk room.

With the Top Deck, repair the fibreglass decking and then install the Infinity Decking. Remove old fibreglass cupboards, bench seats and the remote helm. Replace the guardwalls with Composite Aluminium. Provide appropriate storage boxes for new R/C Air-Conditioner Units as I would replace the current older cassette air-conditioner units. Add appropriate furniture to enjoy the sun and views. Maybe a small kitchenette with a bar fridge.

New carpet is required throughout the houseboat. The main kitchen at Water Level will require an upgrade with new appliances and a more modern feel. Reconfigure the entrance to the bathroom to enable a more private front guest bedroom.

With Technology the motor is a Mercruiser V8 and should be fine. There is already a front thruster unit; you would consider a rear thruster unit as well. A new Generator is required. There is an Outback Inverter which is OK but could be upgraded to a higher capacity. The Solar Charge Controller requires an upgrade. The Gel Batteries are only a couple of years old and should still be OK for a number of years.

There are photos on file of underneath the houseboat from when she was slipped in 2023 Feb. There is a centre pontoon, and the main side pontoons appeared to be in very good condition, at that time.

In summary, yes, she is due for a big birthday, however, you would be purchasing a houseboat with “good bones”, modern layout, 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you purchased her at the Asking Price and then budgeted to spend around $200k to $250k on the Birthday refit you would not be overcapitalized and have a great family holiday home on magical Lake Eildon.